Operations Manager

Job Details

Location: Garden Grove, CA, USA
Department: Operations
Reports To: General Manager
Job Type: Full-Time

Summary

At Aptiv, we inspire the world's most innovative teams by doing the right thing, the right way. As our Operations Manager you will be responsible for leading manufacturing operations across multiple large‑scale aerospace and defense projects. Ensure AS9100D compliance while directing the assembly, tuning, and testing of highly reliable cables and interconnect solutions for spaceflight and critical defense applications. This position will strategically manage production flow across multiple shifts to meet forecasted deliveries and drive continuous improvement in product quality, safety, and operational procedures.

Leadership & Core Responsibilities

• Achieving the budgeted Revenue & EBITDA / Operating Income targets.
• Long‑term organic growth – develop a plan to grow top‑line organically by 10% annually, impacting EBITDA/Operating Income through efficient scheduling, improved OTD & yields, contract review, reduction/elimination of RMAs & CARs, and reduced labor variance and material scrap.
• EHS, safety and training – support and awareness.
• Culture – champion the Aptiv culture while creating a strong business unit with a positive, engaged, and infectious attitude.
• Collaborate across Ruggedized by leading by example, holding people accountable, and using data‑driven decisions.
• Actively participate internally and externally on NPI projects, engineering requirements, RMAs, CARs, production, and general customer service.
• Establish KPIs and communicate them regularly to your team and other departments (make visible).
• Set the operations strategy that aligns with Ruggedized short‑ and long‑term growth goals, focusing on your department and complementing others.
• Strengthen and build department resources with short‑ and long‑term growth in mind; align personnel to achieve best results, including cross‑training individuals where needed (utilize the DOA for hiring).
• Continuously seek ways to simplify operations and processes, invest and/or rationalize costs for production improvements (utilize the DOA for approvals).
• Empower team members to take action supporting department goals and objectives, using new incentive ideas.
• Comply with all company policies and procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Position Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in manufacturing engineering, industrial engineering, electrical engineering, or related field preferred.
• 10–15 years of aerospace/defense operations management experience with progressive leadership responsibility required.
• Minimum 7 years of senior leadership experience managing teams of 50+ employees, preferably in aerospace manufacturing.
• AS9100D Lead Auditor certification and Six Sigma Black Belt certification preferred.
• Advanced understanding of aerospace quality systems, J‑STD, IPC‑620, and IPC‑620 Space applications