Director of Operations

Eleven Recruiting is searching for a Director of Operations for a leading aerospace and defense composites manufacturer, onsite in Spokane, Washington. This organization builds high-performance composite structures for aerospace and defense and operates in a highly regulated, safety-critical environment. Reporting to the General Manager, the Director of Operations provides strategic leadership and hands-on execution across all manufacturing, production, supply chain, and facility operations. The ideal candidate pairs a strong composites background with experience spanning both commercial aerospace and the emerging new-space sector — a leader comfortable operating across defense, commercial, and new-space programs — and can drive operational excellence, lead continuous improvement, develop high-performing teams, and deliver on business, customer, and regulatory objectives. Responsibilities Lead all manufacturing, production, supply chain, and facility operations to deliver products on time, on cost, and at the highest quality. Translate corporate and business objectives into actionable operational strategies and execution plans; contribute to company strategy, growth, and profitability as a key member of the leadership team. Assume General Manager responsibilities as needed to support business continuity. Champion and sustain a Lean Manufacturing culture; lead continuous-improvement initiatives — 5S, Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping, Standard Work, Visual Management, RCCA, and waste elimination. Drive productivity, cost reduction, throughput optimization, and quality through structured CI; establish and manage KPI dashboards and visual performance-management systems. Ensure all production meets customer, contractual, and regulatory requirements; maintain compliance with AS9100, ISO, FAA, DoD, ITAR, and applicable safety standards. Oversee quality systems, corrective and preventive action, and audit readiness; ensure a safe working environment and OSHA compliance. Build, mentor, and develop high-performing operations and manufacturing leadership teams; establish accountability, performance expectations, and development plans. Foster a culture of engagement, ownership, continuous learning, and operational excellence. Develop and manage operating budgets, capital planning, and resource allocation; drive cost control and improve operational profitability. Optimize labor, materials, equipment utilization, and capacity planning. Oversee production planning, scheduling, capacity management, and inventory control; ensure effective ERP/MRP use and data-driven decision-making. Lead facility layout optimization, equipment investments, and process-modernization initiatives. Required Qualifications 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing operations. Experience across both defense and commercial aerospace composite programs. Proven success driving Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement — 5S, Kaizen, value stream mapping, standard work, waste reduction, and throughput optimization. Strong understanding of aerospace/defense quality systems and regulatory requirements — AS9100, ITAR, and customer-specific compliance standards. Experience overseeing or partnering closely with supply chain functions (procurement, planning, inventory control, supplier performance, material flow) to support production continuity and on-time delivery. Demonstrated ability to lead complex, multi-disciplinary operations teams and scale manufacturing organizations while maintaining quality and delivery. Strong financial acumen — operating budgets, capital planning, cost-reduction initiatives, and operational KPIs. Hands-on ERP/MRP experience for production planning, inventory management, capacity planning, and data-driven decision-making. Execution-focused leader who balances strategic direction with day-to-day operational leadership in a fast-paced environment. Excellent communication and leadership skills, building trust and accountability across operations, engineering, quality, and supply chain. Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business, or a related field. Preferred Qualifications Strong composites background. Hands-on experience leading operations in composite fabrication environments — layup, bonding, curing, trimming, assembly, and inspection. Ties to — or direct experience within — the commercial and new-space sectors, including new-space primes and their suppliers (strongly preferred by the hiring team). Master’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business, or a related field. Prior General Manager or P&L-ownership experience. Your safety matters to us. 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