Director, Manufacturing Operations - 21279

Job Description

Job Description

Director, Manufacturing Operations - Defense Search

OVERVIEW

Are you looking for a new career opportunity with an exciting Defense/Aerospace company?! Then we've got the right team for you! In this role, you're responsible for the duties listed below.

Immediate opening for a  Director, Manufacturing Operations in  San Diego, CA who possesses:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, operations, or a related technical discipline
• Progressive manufacturing leadership experience within the electronics/electrical component space
• Strong track record of process improvements using data analytics
• Demonstrated success leading continuous improvement using Lean and Six Sigma methodologies

FULL DESCRIPTION:   We are seeking a Director of Fuse Manufacturing to lead manufacturing operations for a high-reliability electronic component product line supporting aerospace, defense, space, and other mission-critical applications. This onsite leadership role is responsible for achieving safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity objectives while providing strategic and operational leadership across production planning, process performance, quality performance, workforce development, budget management, and data-driven continuous improvement. The ideal candidate will have progressive manufacturing leadership experience within the electronics or electrical component space, a strong track record of using data analytics to drive process improvements, Lean/Six Sigma experience, and the ability to mature a manufacturing organization through standard work, process improvement, and operational excellence.

The selected candidate will be responsible for:

• Providing overall leadership and direction for manufacturing operations of a high-reliability electronic component product line
• Setting clear expectations, establishing measurable goals, and driving accountability for safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity
• Owning the operating plan and budget for the product line
• Developing and managing production schedules and capacity plans to meet program demands and delivery commitments
• Optimizing throughput, balancing workload, and minimizing bottlenecks while maintaining flexibility
• Analyzing capacity requirements, equipment utilization, and workforce allocation to ensure efficient resource deployment
• Directing manufacturing quality to meet stringent aerospace, defense, and other high-reliability standards
• Partnering with Quality to maintain and improve quality systems
• Monitoring defect and yield trends
• Leading root cause investigations and corrective actions to resolve non-conformances
• Supporting product reliability and customer satisfaction
• Driving a continuous improvement agenda using Lean, Six Sigma, process technology, and operational data
• Using data analytics, operational data, and manufacturing metrics to identify improvement opportunities
• Improving cost, cycle time, yield, on-time delivery, and productivity
• Establishing and tracking operational KPIs
• Leading structured problem-solving and operational reviews
• Enforcing compliance with applicable occupational health, safety, and environmental regulations, including OSHA, EPA, and local requirements
• Fostering a culture of safety awareness and risk prevention
• Leading incident investigations, safety audits, and employee training
• Implementing and sustaining 6S practices to maintain an organized, clean, safe, and efficient workplace
• Leading, coaching, and developing the manufacturing team, including supervisors and production staff
• Establishing training, qualification, certification, and cross-training programs to improve workforce capability and flexibility
• Partnering with Engineering and Quality to review customer contracts and technical requirements
• Supporting new product introduction and transition to production
• Ensuring production capabilities, timelines, and quality expectations are understood and integrated into planning and execution
• Collaborating cross-functionally with Supply Chain, Planning, Program Management, Sales, and Finance
• Aligning operational capability with customer demand, business goals, and financial targets
• Helping document, standardize, and mature manufacturing processes and procedures
• Supporting automation and process improvement initiatives
• Leading a tenured workforce through change, modernization, and operational improvement
• Performing other duties as assigned

The selected candidate will also possess:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, operations, or a related technical discipline required
• Advanced degree, such as MBA or M.S., preferred
• Progressive manufacturing leadership experience within the electronics or electrical component space required
• Experience in high-reliability electronics or a comparable regulated, highly engineered manufacturing environment required
• Experience with responsibility for a production team or value stream required
• Hands-on experience in the manufacturing and testing of high-reliability electronic components preferred
• Experience manufacturing to aerospace and defense requirements preferred
• Familiarity with applicable quality standards, such as AS9100 and ISO 9001, preferred
• Government contracting environment experience preferred
• Low-volume, high-mix manufacturing experience preferred
• Strong track record of process improvements using data analytics required
• Strong understanding of manufacturing flow, production bottlenecks, labor utilization, throughput, standard work, and productivity metrics
• Demonstrated success leading continuous improvement using Lean and Six Sigma methodologies required
• Lean, Six Sigma, or operational excellence certification, such as Green Belt or Black Belt, preferred
• Experience leading continuous improvement and automation initiatives preferred
• Experience using operational data to drive measurable gains in quality, cost, cycle time, and delivery
• Strong business and financial acumen
• Experience owning an operating budget and operational performance metrics
• Strong technical aptitude and ability to understand complex manufacturing processes
• Solid understanding of electrical principles, including Ohm's Law, preferred
• Working knowledge of discrete electronic components and circuit protection fundamentals preferred
• Ability to lead technical teams, ask the right questions, and partner effectively with Engineering and Quality
• Demonstrated leadership and interpersonal skills
• Ability to build, motivate, and develop cross-functional teams
• Ability to influence at all levels of the organization
• Excellent written, verbal, and visual communication skills
• Ability to present complex technical and operational information clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Highly organized, analytical, and results-driven approach
• Ability to use data and metrics to identify, diagnose, and resolve complex operational, engineering, or process issues
• Strong sense of urgency and ownership
• Ability to work onsite in San Diego, CA
• Ability to work a 9/80 schedule
• Ability to travel occasionally as needed
• Consistent attendance and punctuality required
• U.S. Citizen or lawful permanent resident status required due to ITAR requirements

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to sit and work at a computer for extended periods while reviewing production data, ERP information, manufacturing metrics, reports, procedures, schedules, and operational documentation
• Ability to communicate by phone, email, video meeting, and in person throughout the workday
• Ability to review manufacturing documentation, production records, quality data, operational KPIs, work instructions, and computer screens for extended periods
• Ability to use hands to manipulate, handle, or feel objects, tools, small tools, controls, documentation, and standard office or manufacturing materials
• Ability to reach with hands and arms as needed
• Ability to lift up to 20 pounds as needed
• Ability to climb stairs
• Ability to sit and stand for long periods of time
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, reach, and move throughout office, production, manufacturing, testing, and operations areas as needed
• Ability to talk and hear in office, production, manufacturing, and meeting environments
• Ability to use close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus
• Ability to participate in production floor walkthroughs, process reviews, team meetings, improvement activities, and operational assessments
• Ability to work in an electronic component manufacturing environment while following applicable safety, quality, ITAR, and site procedures
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment as needed when entering manufacturing, testing, or production areas
• Ability to travel occasionally as business needs require

Salary Range: $135,000 to $170,000/year plus 20% bonus
More information can be found at 

Defense Search is a specialized recruiting and staffing firm dedicated exclusively to the defense & aerospace industry. We place candidates on a contract, contract-to-hire, and direct hire basis.

Company Description

Defense Search is a specialized recruiting and staffing firm dedicated exclusively to the defense & aerospace industry. We place candidates on a contract, contract-to-hire, and direct hire basis.