Our client is a global aerospace and defense component manufacturer with revenues exceeding $900 million with global presence. The company serves both commercial and defense customers.
The Vice President of Operations will lead the end-to-end operational performance of the business across 20+ global manufacturing sites, ensuring world-class delivery, quality, cost, and safety standards in line with aerospace and defense requirements. This executive will drive operational excellence, lean transformation, and supply chain resilience while scaling the organization to meet customer demand, growth objectives, and compliance standards (AS9100, ITAR, etc.).
The ideal candidate is a hands-on, strategic leader with a proven track record in regulated, precision-engineered environments who can build high-performing teams, instill a culture of continuous improvement, and partner cross-functionally to deliver sustainable results.
Key Responsibilities
Operational Leadership
- Provide strategic and operational leadership for all manufacturing and supply chain functions across multiple sites.
- Lead end-to-end operations including production, planning, logistics, engineering, maintenance, and quality.
- Ensure alignment of operational execution with business strategy, customer commitments, and financial targets.
Performance & Transformation
- Drive continuous improvement through Lean, Six Sigma, and Industry 4.0 methodologies to improve OEE, lead times, and cost competitiveness.
- Champion operational transformation programs focused on footprint optimization, process standardization, and automation.
- Develop and deploy metrics-driven performance management systems to monitor output, cost, and quality.
Quality & Compliance
- Maintain full compliance with aerospace and defense quality standards (AS9100, NADCAP, ISO9001, ITAR, DFARS).
- Foster a culture of safety, compliance, and zero-defect manufacturing.
- Partner with customers and regulatory bodies to ensure audits, certifications, and documentation are flawless.
People & Culture
- Lead, coach, and develop site and functional leaders to build a high-performance culture.
- Strengthen succession planning, talent development, and workforce engagement across the operations network.
- Promote accountability, teamwork, and ownership at all levels of the organization.
Supply Chain & Customer Engagement
- Oversee strategic sourcing, materials management, and logistics to secure continuity of supply and cost efficiency.
- Build resilience and risk mitigation into the supply base for critical aerospace and defense components.
- Partner with commercial and engineering teams to support NPI, ramp-ups, and long-term customer relationships.
Experience & Qualifications
- 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in aerospace, defense, or precision-engineered manufacturing.
- Proven track record of leading multi-site operations or a P&L of $900M+.
- Strong understanding of AS9100, ITAR, and NADCAP standards and defense industry compliance.
- Demonstrated success in Lean transformation, cost reduction, and operational scalability.
- Experience with advanced manufacturing technologies (automation, digital manufacturing, ERP/APS systems).
- Financial and commercial acumen – capable of translating operational performance into business outcomes.
- Engineering or technical degree (Mechanical, Aerospace, or Manufacturing Engineering preferred); MBA desirable.
- Multi-lingual is a bonus
Personal Characteristics
- Strategic thinker with a hands-on, execution-driven approach.
- Exceptional leadership presence and communication skills.
- High integrity and strong sense of accountability.
- Resilient under pressure, able to navigate complexity and ambiguity.
- Collaborative partner who thrives in cross-functional, matrixed organizations.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- On-Time Delivery > 95%
- Quality / First Pass Yield improvement
- Productivity and cost-per-unit reduction
- Safety performance (TRIR / LTIR)
- Working capital and inventory turns
- Employee engagement and retention
