Manufacturing Operations Leader — Surface Prep & Coatings

Company: Orion Castings | Site: JEl Finishing Plant | Location: Chelmsford, MA Facility focus: High-spec surface preparation and finishing for military, aerospace, and medical device customers in an AS9100 and NADCAP certified environment. What you'll own Business alignment: Guide plant leadership to hit monthly budget/profit goals and divisional quality plans. Flow and quality: Enforce synchronous manufacturing to maximize throughput and first-pass yield on painting and finishing lines. Lean engine: Plan and lead Gemba walks; advance continuous improvement and corporate compliance. Audit readiness: Enforce procedures/work instructions and manage AS9100/NADCAP action items to completion. Zero-defect assurance: Lead APQP and corrective-action meetings; assign owners and drive on-time closure. Customer and vendor interface: Be the operations point of contact; protect 100% on-time delivery with immediate, documented countermeasures when needed. Culture and coaching: Maintain a strong presence on the floor; mentor supervisors; build an inclusive, high-performance team. What success looks like Stable, repeatable processes with synchronized flow across coating operations. Third-party audit results with rapid action-item closure and zero major nonconformances. Consistent on-time delivery to demanding aerospace, defense, and medical programs. Monthly financial targets met through disciplined cost control and productivity gains. What you bring 10+ years of manufacturing leadership experience. Strong preference for direct exposure to AS9100 and NADCAP certified operations. Knowledge of industrial paint/coating/finishing (surface prep, liquid, powder, or specialized military/medical finishes). Track record leading Gemba and CI initiatives with measurable results. Confidence working with high-spec customers and supply partners. Ability to manage complex task loads and tight lead times. Leadership DNA Influence: Establish credibility quickly; elevate standards; modernize practices. Development: Coach and mentor; facilitate teams; manage performance. Collaboration: Build trust across operators, engineers, and executives. Organizational savvy: Navigate complex dynamics; communicate operations clearly. Analytical and financial acumen Advanced problem solving for bottleneck removal and decision-making under pressure. Ownership of plant P&L drivers and cost containment. Ethics, integrity, safety, and results-focus are nonnegotiable. Tools Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) Minitab for statistical analysis Compensation and schedule Salary: $92,200 – $120,300 Schedule: First Shift Benefits Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, and more 401(k) with company match Paid Time Off (PTO) 11 Paid Company Holidays Tuition Reimbursement Paid company training Career advancement opportunities You should be proficient in Leadership / People Management Supervisory Experience National Aerospace and Defense Contractors Accreditation Program (NADCAP) Experience in a Manufacturing Environment AS9100 Experience #J-18808-Ljbffr Pace Industries, LLC