Senior Director of Operations

Founded in 1918, Kearfott Corporation is a global leader in the design and manufacture of precision motion control products and inertial navigation components for aerospace and defense. With over a century of expertise, Kearfott delivers quality, reliability, and cutting-edge technology to meet sea, land, air, and space navigation and guidance requirements.

About the role

The Sr. Director of Operations leads all manufacturing functions for Kearfott Corporation’s Motion Systems Division (MSD) across multiple operational sites (Asheville, NC; Brownsville, TX; and Matamoros, Mexico). This includes Machine Shop Production, Lower Assembly and Winding, Final Assembly and Test, Maintenance, and Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S). The role requires a leader who can drive double-digit growth and act as a Lean Manufacturing change agent.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Operations team across multiple sites to meet key customer and business performance metrics.
• Set and achieve goals and metrics for areas of responsibility in support of overall MSD business goals.
• Provide leadership to ensure on-time delivery that meets customer requirements for quality and performance.
• As a member of the Division Leadership Team, ensure continuity across functional areas, support divisional initiatives, and provide regular updates on shipments, plant efficiency, and improvements.
• Develop manufacturing standards, methods, metrics, and processes to continuously improve quality and delivery.
• Support and contribute to Root Cause/Corrective Action initiatives, Six Sigma Council, Green and Yellow Belt programs, Lean, and other manufacturing programs.
• Provide leadership and coaching to all Operations associates to ensure understanding and attainment of performance objectives.
• Lead, analyze, design, and improve processes to reduce waste, inventory, and lead times.
• Foster a continuous improvement lean manufacturing culture with buy-in and ownership at all levels.
• Identify and implement best practices across all sites.
• Ensure compliance with company policies and procedures, particularly those pertaining to safety, and take an active role in safety awareness and accident prevention.
• Lead talent management for operations, including developing a plan to cross-train technicians for multiple processes.

Requirements

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree in an associated discipline; advanced degree preferred.
• 12+ years of experience in a manufacturing environment, preferably in military/aerospace or commercial aircraft.
• Consistent history of increased responsibility and achievement in production or manufacturing.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop direct reports.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills, with the ability to communicate effectively at all levels of the organization.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively as a member of a site leadership team in developing and deploying business strategies.
• Machine Shop/precision assembly experience strongly preferred.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen with the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Security Clearance.

Skills

• Strong understanding of operations functions: Production Flow, Assembly and Test, Machining, and Shop Floor Scheduling.
• Strong leadership and decision-making skills, with the ability to prioritize work and communicate priorities clearly.
• In-depth knowledge of Enterprise Requirement Planning (ERP) and/or Manufacturing Requirements Planning (MRP) systems.
• Sense of urgency to meet customer quality and delivery requirements.
• Aerospace and Defense manufacturing experience.
• Ability to attract and retain talent.

Benefits

• 401K
• Tuition Reimbursement

Schedule

9/80 schedule with every other Friday off.