Plant Manager – Aerospace Airfoil Manufacturing

Location

Winsted, CT
Relocation assistance is not available—candidates must be local or willing to commute.

Compensation

Competitive Salary + Bonus + Comprehensive Benefits

About the Role

Lead Aerospace Manufacturing Excellence. Drive Operational Performance. Deliver Customer Success.

Are you an experienced aerospace manufacturing leader with a proven track record of full P&L ownership, operational excellence, and customer relationship management? We are seeking a Manufacturing Plant Manager to lead a high-performance aerospace manufacturing facility focused on precision-engineered airfoil components serving some of the industry's most demanding customers. This is a hands-on leadership opportunity for a results-driven professional who thrives in a fast-paced aerospace environment and is passionate about safety, quality, continuous improvement, and team development.

Required Experience

• Airfoil Manufacturing Direct experience manufacturing aerospace airfoils, turbine blades, vanes, or related precision-engineered components
• Understanding of aerospace production processes, quality requirements, and customer expectations
• Customer-Facing Leadership Experience interacting directly with aerospace OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, and strategic customers
• Proven ability to manage customer relationships, audits, performance reviews, and escalations
• Leverage Lean Manufacturing & Six Sigma
• Demonstrated success implementing Lean Manufacturing principles
• Experience leading Kaizen events, waste reduction initiatives, process optimization, and continuous improvement programs
• Lean and/or Six Sigma certification strongly preferred
• Financial Leadership
• Full P&L management experience
• Experience managing budgets, forecasting, capital expenditures, cost reduction initiatives, and profitability improvements

Key Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership and direction for aerospace manufacturing operations
• Maintain full P&L responsibility, including revenue, cost control, margins, productivity, and operational performance
• Develop and execute strategic plans to achieve safety, quality, delivery, and financial objectives
• Lead production, engineering, quality, maintenance, supply chain, and operational support functions
• Serve as the primary point of contact for key aerospace customers and support customer visits, audits, and business reviews
• Drive Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement initiatives throughout the facility
• Improve operational efficiency, throughput, capacity utilization, and on-time delivery performance
• Ensure compliance with aerospace quality standards, customer requirements, and regulatory expectations
• Develop succession plans and leadership capabilities throughout the organization
• Monitor KPIs and implement corrective actions to improve plant performance

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations, Manufacturing, Business, or related field
• 10+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience
• 5+ years of Plant Manager, General Manager, Operations Director, or equivalent leadership experience
• Aerospace manufacturing experience required
• Demonstrated P&L ownership and accountability
• Experience managing large manufacturing teams and multi-functional departments
• Strong understanding of aerospace quality systems and operational requirements
• Ability to travel as needed for customer and business requirements

Ideal Candidate

• Strategic business leader with strong operational discipline
• Proven aerospace manufacturing expert with airfoil experience
• Customer-focused executive who builds trust and long-term partnerships
• Data-driven decision maker with strong financial acumen
• Continuous improvement champion with Lean and Six Sigma expertise
• Inspirational leader who develops talent and drives accountability
• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, high-performance aerospace environment

Keywords

• Aerospace Plant Manager
• Aerospace Manufacturing Manager
• Manufacturing Operations Manager
• Operations Director
• General Manager
• Aerospace Operations Leader
• Airfoil Manufacturing
• Turbine Blade Manufacturing
• Lean Manufacturing
• Six Sigma
• P&L Management
• Aerospace Production
• Continuous Improvement
• Aerospace OEM
• AS9100
• Operational Excellence
• Manufacturing Leadership