Operations Manager

Key Responsibilities

• Lead daily production execution across assigned lines, cells, or value streams.
• Own performance to the production plan, including safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity targets.
• Provide direct leadership, coaching, and development to Production Supervisors.
• Ensure consistent deployment of the Operating Model, including standard work, visual management, tiered daily meetings, and structured problem-solving.
• Partner with Quality to investigate non-conformances and drive root cause corrective actions.
• Maintain compliance with applicable customer requirements, industry standards (e.g., NIJ or equivalent), and internal quality systems.
• Promote and sustain a strong safety culture through visible leadership, audits, and corrective actions.
• Ensure on-time delivery through effective scheduling, labor planning, and capacity management.
• Identify and manage constraints, bottlenecks, and material availability risks.
• Collaborate with Supply Chain and Engineering to resolve shortages, changes, and production disruptions.
• Use metrics and data to drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Lead Kaizen events and improvement projects focused on throughput, quality, labor efficiency, and waste reduction.
• Set performance expectations and hold team accountable for results.
• Partner with HR on hiring, onboarding, training, performance management, and employee relations.
• Foster collaboration, accountability, and clear communication across production teams and functional partners.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Manufacturing, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of progressive leadership experience in a manufacturing environment, including direct leadership of supervisors.
• Demonstrated experience improving on-time delivery and finished goods quality.
• Strong working knowledge of Operating Model / Lean manufacturing principles.
• Proven problem-solving and decision-making skills in a production environment.
• Experience in ballistic armor, composites, defense, aerospace, or similarly regulated manufacturing preferred.
• Experience working in environments with strict quality, traceability, and customer compliance requirements.