Senior Project Manager, Operations & Strategic Initiatives

About the Role

As a Senior Project Manager, Operations & Strategic Initiatives, you will lead high-impact projects that support business growth, manufacturing expansion, operational readiness, capacity improvements, and long-term organizational objectives. Acting as the link between strategy and execution, you will partner with Operations, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Facilities, Finance, and Commercial teams to deliver initiatives that enhance operational performance, strengthen manufacturing capabilities, and achieve measurable business results.

Key Initial Focus

A key initial focus will be leading a strategic manufacturing expansion initiative, including facility startup, capital equipment installation, manufacturing qualification, and the eventual transition of operations into a newly constructed facility. Beyond this effort, the role will drive a portfolio of operational and strategic initiatives, requiring a strong operations leader with proven project management experience who can successfully lead cross-functional teams through complex challenges, organizational change, and business transformation.

What You Will Do

• Lead strategic initiatives from concept through implementation, ensuring alignment with business objectives and operational priorities.
• Develop and manage project scope, schedules, budgets, resources, risks, and stakeholder communications.
• Partner with cross-functional leaders to drive execution, remove barriers, and achieve project objectives.
• Establish project governance, performance metrics, and executive reporting to ensure successful delivery.
• Monitor project performance and drive accountability for achieving operational and financial outcomes.

Manufacturing Expansion & Facility Transition

• Lead facility startup activities required to support new manufacturing capabilities.
• Manage capital equipment implementation from procurement through installation, commissioning, qualification, and production readiness.
• Coordinate facility readiness, manufacturing readiness reviews, and production launch activities.
• Lead customer qualification and approval activities associated with manufacturing capability additions and production transfers.
• Develop and execute the transition strategy for relocating equipment and operations into a newly constructed manufacturing facility while maintaining operational continuity and customer commitments.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Build strong partnerships across Operations, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Finance, Facilities, and Commercial organizations.
• Influence stakeholders and lead cross-functional teams without direct authority.
• Drive alignment, accountability, and execution across multiple concurrent initiatives.

Who You Are (Basic Qualifications)

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Manufacturing, Business, Supply Chain, Project Management, or a related field.
• 8-10 years of manufacturing, operations, engineering, supply chain, or related operational leadership experience.
• 3-5 years of project management experience leading cross-functional operational, capital, or strategic initiatives.
• Experience managing complex projects involving multiple stakeholders, competing priorities, and significant business impact.
• Experience developing project schedules, managing risks, budgets, and driving projects to successful completion.
• Demonstrated understanding of manufacturing operations, production processes, and operational performance metrics.
• Experience leading initiatives involving organizational change and operational transformation.
• Strong leadership, communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills.

What Will Put You Ahead

• PMP certification or formal project management training.
• Aerospace & Defense industry experience.
• Experience leading facility startups, manufacturing expansions, production transfers, or operational transitions.
• Experience managing capital equipment implementation and operational readiness programs.
• Knowledge of AS9100, AS9102, ITAR, or other regulated manufacturing requirements.
• Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or equivalent operational leadership training.
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing project budgets and capital investments.
• Proven success delivering complex initiatives that achieve measurable operational, financial, quality, or customer performance improvements.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, flexible spending and health savings accounts
• Life insurance, ADD, and disability coverage
• Retirement plans
• Paid vacation/time off
• Educational assistance
• Infertility assistance, paid parental leave, and adoption assistance (may vary by location)