Director of Operations

Position Summary

The Senior Manager / Director of Materials & Supply Chain owns end-to-end materials planning, procurement, inventory, logistics, and supplier performance for a regulated aerospace manufacturing environment. This role ensures uninterrupted production, program execution, and customer delivery while optimizing working capital, supplier resilience, and regulatory compliance. This is a strategic leadership role partnering closely with Operations, Engineering, Quality, Finance, and Program Management to scale production, mitigate supply-chain risk, and support new product introduction, LRIP, and full-rate manufacturing.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Own the materials strategy across all programs, SKUs, production lines, and sites

• Translate business objectives (growth, margin, delivery, cash) into executable materials plans

• Establish scalable processes to support NPI, LRIP to FRP transitions, and surge production

• Lead make vs buy strategy

• Plan and produce readiness

• Ensure BOM accuracy, lead-time integrity, safety stock policies, and capacity alignment

• Lead shortage management, constraint escalation, and production readiness reviews

• Proactively identify and mitigate risks related to long-lead items, single-source suppliers, and obsolescence

• Own enterprise inventory strategy including turns, accuracy, valuation, and excess mitigation

• Ensure full lot, serial, and configuration traceability

• Oversee receiving, kitting, warehousing, and outbound logistics operations

• Lead cycle count programs and drive root-cause resolution for inventory discrepancies

• Optimize freight strategy, logistics cost, and export compliance

• Ensure materials and supplier processes comply with AS9100, ISO 9001, FAR/DFAR, DCMA, ITAR/EAR, and CMMC

• Act as materials SME during customer, regulatory, and third-party audits

• Maintain procedures, documentation, and training to ensure audit readiness

• Develop and maintain supply-chain risk management and continuity plans

• Partner with Finance on inventory valuation, working capital, COGS, and forecast accuracy

• Develop materials budgets and long-range supply plans

• Provide executive-level reporting on supply-chain health, risks, and constraints

• Support proposal and program activity with pricing, lead-time, and supplier strategy inputs

• Build, lead, and develop a high-performing materials and supply-chain organization

• Define clear roles, KPIs, and accountability across planning, procurement, and logistics

• Mentor leaders and succession-plan critical roles

• Drive a culture of ownership, urgency, and continuous improvement

• Drive data integrity, automation, and reporting improvements

• Lead Lean, Kaizen, and continuous-improvement initiatives cross-functionally

• Implement scalable systems and processes to support multi-site or international operations

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, or related field (Master’s preferred)

• 10 –15+ years of materials, supply-chain, or operations leadership experience, preferably in aerospace or defense

• Proven experience supporting regulated programs and scaling production

• Deep knowledge of ERP/MRP systems, BOM control, supplier management, and compliance frameworks

• Strong executive communication and cross-functional leadership skills

Additional Desired Qualifications

• CPIM, CSCP, PMP, or Lean Six Sigma certification preferred

Physical Requirements And Working Conditions

• Must be able to walk, stand, and navigate large indoor and outdoor facilities for extended periods of time.

• Ability to lift, carry, and move materials and equipment weighing up to 25 lbs on a regular basis.

• Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) may be required in designated areas or when performing specific tasks, in accordance with safety protocols and company policy.

• May be required to climb ladders, stoop, kneel, or crouch during inspections, maintenance walk-throughs, or emergency response situations.

• Frequent use of a computer and other standard office equipment for documentation, communication, and coordination tasks.

EEO and ITAR/EAR Work Authorization Disclosure

This position will require successfully completing a post-offer background check. Qualified candidates with a criminal history will be considered and are not automatically disqualified, consistent with federal and state law. This position requires direct or indirect access to hardware, software, technology or technical data controlled under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR).

E-Verify

The company participates E-Verify to ensure eligibility for employment and compliance with Right to Work rules.

Career Path

Salary plus generous annual equity package and potential bonuses.