Final Operations Manager - Aerospace

Position Summary
The Final Operations Manager is responsible for the leadership, execution, and performance of all Final Operations functions, including Processing, Paint, Assembly, and Shipping. This role owns daily, monthly, and annual results related to on-time delivery, labor productivity, quality, cost performance, schedule attainment, and operational compliance.
The position serves as a key business partner to the Director of Business Operations by providing operational planning, KPI reporting, capacity alignment, schedule and recovery execution, and strategic support to meet customer commitments and financial targets. This leader must drive disciplined execution through data, people, and process control while maintaining a strong culture of accountability, safety, and customer responsiveness.
This role is identified as requiring ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations) compliance; therefore, qualified candidates must meet the definition of a U.S. Person (per EAR Part 772 and ITAR 120.15):

An individual who is granted U.S. citizenship, or
An individual who is granted U.S. permanent residence (i.e., a "Green Card" holder), or
An individual who is granted status as a "protected person"

Essential Functions

Lead daily Final Operations across Processing, Paint, Assembly, and Shipping to support production and delivery commitments
Execute production schedules and resolve day-to-day disruptions to maintain flow and throughput
Drive performance in safety, quality, delivery, and cost across assigned areas
Support on-time starts, completions, and shipment readiness; execute recovery actions as needed
Serve as a point of contact for customer communication related to order status, delivery updates, and issue resolution
Support customer escalations by providing timely updates, recovery plans, and operational visibility
Partner with Planning, Supply Chain, Quality, and Program Management to mitigate delivery riskTrack and report daily and weekly operational performance; support labor planning and cost control
Utilize ERP systems and customer backlog data to manage schedules, inventory, and performance metrics; ensure data accuracy
Monitor key metrics including on-time delivery, flow times, labor efficiency, overtime, rework/scrap, and shipping accuracy
Lead daily performance meetings to review results, priorities, and constraints
Ensure compliance with AS9100, ITAR, OSHA, NADCAP, and customer requirements
Support audits and drive corrective actions for quality or compliance issues
Communicate operational status, risks, and recovery plans to leadership and cross-functional partners
Support planning for labor, tooling, and capacity needs; assist with capital planning as needed
Lead, coach, and develop supervisors, leads, and team members
Ensure completion of required training and promote a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement

Work Experience

7–10+ years of progressive experience in manufacturing operations, production management, or industrial operations
3–5+ years of leadership experience managing supervisors, leads, and hourly teams
Experience in aerospace, defense, or other highly regulated manufacturing environments (AS9100, ITAR, NADCAP) strongly preferred
Demonstrated success driving performance in safety, quality, delivery, labor efficiency, and cost
Hands‑on experience with production scheduling, throughput optimization, and daily operations management
Experience supporting customer communication, escalations, and recovery planning
Strong background in ERP/MRP systems, operational KPIs, and data‑driven decision‑making
Experience supporting audits, corrective actions, and compliance with AS9100, ITAR, OSHA, and customer requirements
Proven ability to lead cross‑functional collaboration with Planning, Supply Chain, Quality, and Program Management

Other Required Skills and Abilities

Strong leadership, coaching, and team‑development capabilities
Excellent verbal, written, and technical communication skills
Ability to read and interpret blueprints and technical documentation
Proficiency with computers, ERP systems, and production‑tracking tools
Strong problem‑solving, decision‑making, and continuous‑improvement mindset
Ability to work in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment and manage multiple priorities
Ability to communicate clearly in English (verbal and written)

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Industrial Technology, Business Administration, or a related field required, experience in lieu of degree will be considered.
Master’s degree in engineering management, Industrial Engineering, or an MBA (preferred)
High school diploma or GED required

Physical Demands and Work EnvironmentTo perform the essential functions of the role, employees must be able to perform the following activities with or without reasonable accommodations:

Regularly stand and walk throughout the facility, stand for long periods to perform job duties
Occasionally lift, carry (short distances), and push/pull up to 50 pounds using peer assistance and/or other lifting & material handling equipment
Occasionally reach overhead and reach out or down to floor level to perform job duties
Occasionally climb steps, stairs, or ladders
Occasionally bend, crawl, stoop, squat, or kneel
Accurately distinguish colors, letters, and numbers
Use hands and fingers to operate computer and peripherals and asses inventory items as needed

Working ConditionsWork is performed in a manufacturing environment where working conditions may vary significantly; the employee will be exposed to:

Excessive noise - hearing protection required (occasionally)
Dust, fumes/vapors (occasionally)
Extreme temperatures (occasionally)
Hazardous equipment, including forklifts, hand tools, cranes or other lifting devices, and other equipment used in a machine shop environment

The use of PPE, including hearing protection, eye protection, and safety footwear, is required; hand protection and other PPE may be required for some tasks