Head of Operations & Business Management

Divergent is a technology company that has architected, invented, built, and commercialized an end-to-end factory system called the Divergent Adaptive Production System (DAPS) that comprehensively uses machine learning to optimally engineer, additively manufacture, and flexibly assemble complex integrated vehicle structures and subsystems. Products created using DAPS are superior in performance, lower in cost, rapidly customizable to meet mission and customer‑specific requirements, faster to market, and scalable on demand to high volume production. Divergent is a qualified Tier 1 supplier to global automotive OEMs, and Divergent is now expanding to support mission critical needs in the Aerospace and Defense sector. The Business Operations Manager is a cross‑functional leader responsible for enabling high‑quality, data‑driven decision‑making, operational alignment, and communication across the organization. This role establishes and facilitates the business processes, operation rhythms, and governance that enable Engineering, Programs, Operations, Supply Chain, Finance and other functional teams to make informed decisions, manage risk, and execute against company priorities.

This role will own and facilitate the Sales, Inventory, and Operations Planning (SIOP) process, using it as the cross‑functional forum to align demand, supply, capacity, inventory, and financial objectives. As the organization matures, the role will expand beyond SIOP to strengthen broader business operating mechanisms, improve cross‑functional communication, enhance organizational visibility, and build scalable decision‑making processes.

Success in this role requires navigating ambiguity, translating complex data into actionable insights, aligning stakeholders with competing priorities, and continually improving the systems, analytics, and governance that support operational excellence in a fast‑paced, high‑growth environment.

Lead and continually improve the company’s monthly SIOP process, ensuring timely inputs, scenario analysis, and clear decisions at each step.

Facilitate structured business reviews that align Sales, Programs, Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Finance and other functional teams around priorities, risks, dependencies, and execution plans.

Develop and maintain trusted reporting dashboards, KPIs, and data governance processes that provide leadership with accurate, actionable insights.

Partner closely with data science and digital teams to improve planning systems, reporting capabilities, automation, and analytics that support scalable business operations.

Identify cross‑functional risks, constraints, and opportunities, driving mitigation plans and ensuring decisions are documented, communicated, and executed.

Partner with Finance and functional leaders to ensure operational plans support strategic and financial objectives.

Lead continuous improvement initiatives by evaluating existing processes, identifying inefficiencies and opportunities, partnering with functional leaders to design improved ways of working, and driving measurable improvements to operational performance.

Lead implementation of process improvements through excellent project management, stakeholder coordination and buy‑in, defining business requirements, supporting software system development, driving change management, and ensuring successful adoption of new processes and tools.

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Operations Management, Engineering, Business, Finance, or related field.

5 – 8+ years of progressive experience in business operations, S&OP/SIOP, program management, supply chain, production planning, supply chain, engineering operations, or other cross‑functional operational leadership roles within advanced manufacturing, electronics, aerospace, medical devices, or related technology‑intensive sectors.

Experience leading impactful cross‑functional projects involving data and business processes.

Strong analytical skills with proficiency in ERP/MRP systems and advanced planning or analytics tools (e.g. SAP, Oracle, Kinaxis, o9, Power BI, or similar).

Solid understanding of key supply chain concepts: forecasting, capacity planning, inventory optimization, lead time management, and product lifecycle management.

Growth mindset with a track record of building or maturing processes, not just operating in state environments.

Comfort operating in fast‑changing, ambiguous environments with imperfect data and time‑constrained decisions.

Systems thinker who sees end‑to‑end value streams and can simplify complex data and business planning processes into high level visuals and discussions for decision‑making.

Data driven and highly analytical, comfortable challenging assumptions and using facts to resolve conflicts.

Highly organized, detail‑oriented, and comfortable operating with urgency and ambiguity while still driving structure and accountability.

Strong influencer and facilitator who can navigate conflicting priorities, challenge assumptions, and align senior leaders and technical teams around difficult tradeoff decisions.

This role is based onsite in our Torrance, CA office.

Enjoy a world‑class compensation package that includes a competitive salary, equity plan, and discretionary results‑based incentive bonus opportunities, ensuring you're truly valued for your contributions.

Wellness and Time Off : Embrace a healthy lifestyle with paid vacation, sick time, and company holidays, including a year‑end shutdown to recharge. Additionally, benefit from company‑sponsored life insurance and short and long‑term disability coverage for peace of mind.

Take advantage of reimbursement opportunities for learning and development initiatives, empowering you to continuously expand your skill set and reach peak performance.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected characteristic. Divergent provides affirmative action in employment for qualified Individuals with Disabilities and Protected Veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.

In order to adjust to changes in our business, it may become necessary to add, remove or modify certain duties and responsibilities, or to reassign you to another job position. From time to time you may be asked to work on special projects or to assist with other work. Your cooperation and assistance in performing such additional work is expected.

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