Operations Director & Site Leader

We are seeking a highly motivated Operations Director & Site Leader to lead our Flagstaff manufacturing facility and drive operational excellence across the organization. Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer (COO), this role is responsible for overall site performance, strategic execution, and leadership of manufacturing and warehouse operations, with first-priority accountability for team member safety.

The successful candidate will provide leadership for the Machine Shop, Assembly Operations, Procurement, Shipping & Receiving, Production Planning, and Inventory functions while partnering closely with Quality, Engineering, Supply Chain, Finance, and HR to achieve business objectives.

• →Champion a safety-first culture; lead EHS compliance, including OSHA requirements, and ensure Safety is the first consideration in every operational decision.

• →Lead all manufacturing, warehouse, and operational activities for the Flagstaff site.

• →Drive performance across Safety, Quality, Delivery, Inventory, Cost, and People metrics (SQDCP) and manage site cost and financial performance.

• →Foster collaboration across departments, maximize team synergies, and eliminate organizational silos.

• →Lead daily SQDCP (Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, People) stand-up meetings.

• →Conduct Monthly Operations Reviews and present site performance to executive leadership.

• →Drive accountability for key business metrics including:

• →On-Time Delivery (OTD)

• →Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ)

• →Labor Utilization & Labor Absorption

• →Cost of Goods Sold (COGS)

• →Inventory Performance

• →Revenue

• →EBITDA

• →Partner with Quality to facilitate NCR/CAPA meetings and lead Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) efforts for systemic nonconformances.

• →Collaborate with Supply Chain to resolve kit shortages, material variances, and production constraints.

• →Lead quarterly Kaizen events focused on cost reduction, operational efficiency, productivity improvements, and elimination of shop-floor waste.

• →Develop and mentor leaders while building a culture of accountability, engagement, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.

• →Lead hiring, performance management, succession planning, and employee relations in partnership with HR; ensure compliance with labor, employment, and safety regulations; and own retention and skills development for the site workforce.

• →Partner with Engineering, Program Management, and customers as required to participate in Critical Design Reviews (CDRs), ensuring manufacturability, operational readiness, capacity planning, quality considerations, and production execution requirements are incorporated into product and program decisions.

• →Participate in Sales, Inventory & Operations Planning (SIOP) reviews to align demand forecasts, production capacity, inventory strategy, labor planning, and material availability with business objectives and customer commitments.

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• 10+ years of progressive manufacturing operations leadership experience.

• Proven success leading and/or partnering with production, quality, supply chain, inventory, and warehouse functions.

• Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, RCCA, and continuous improvement methodologies.

• Demonstrated commitment to safety, with working knowledge of OSHA and EHS compliance and a track record of improving safety performance.

• Demonstrated financial acumen with experience managing operational performance and profitability, including P&L management.

• Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.

• MBA or advanced technical degree.

• Lean Six Sigma certification.

• Aerospace, defense, industrial manufacturing, or highly regulated industry experience.

• Machining/CNC or other discrete manufacturing experience.

• ERP/MRP systems leadership and implementation experience.

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods and lift up to 50 lbs.

• Exposure to a manufacturing environment including machinery noise, cutting fluids, and moving equipment; required PPE includes safety glasses, hearing protection, and safety footwear.

This is an opportunity to serve as the senior leader of a growing manufacturing operation, directly influencing strategy, operational performance, organizational effectiveness, customer satisfaction, and financial results while partnering closely with executive leadership. Flagstaff also offers access to outdoor recreation and a strong community that many of our team members value.

If you are a results-driven leader passionate about operational excellence, continuous improvement, and developing high-performing teams, we encourage you to apply.

#LI-CK1

• Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement. Knowledge of Lean, Kaizen, and RCCA methods for cutting waste, lowering Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ), and raising productivity in a discrete manufacturing setting such as machining and assembly.

• Safety and regulatory compliance. Working knowledge of OSHA and EHS requirements, plus labor and employment regulations, sufficient to keep the site compliant and to put safety first in every operational decision.

• Manufacturing financials and operational metrics. Understanding of how P&L, COGS, EBITDA, labor utilization and absorption, inventory performance, and On-Time Delivery (OTD) connect, so site decisions can be tied to business results.

• Performance management and reporting. Run daily SQDCP stand-ups and Monthly Operations Reviews, and present site results and corrective actions to executive leadership clearly.

• Root cause problem solving. Lead RCCA and NCR/CAPA efforts with Quality, and work with Supply Chain to clear kit shortages, material variances, and production constraints.

• Cross-functional planning. Take part in SIOP reviews and Critical Design Reviews (CDRs) to align demand, capacity, labor, and material availability with manufacturability and customer commitments.

• Lead and develop people. Build leaders, coach for accountability and engagement, and handle hiring, retention, succession planning, and employee relations with HR.

• Break Down Silos. Foster collaboration across Machine Shop, Assembly, Procurement, Shipping & Receiving, Planning, Inventory, and partner functions like Quality, Engineering, and Finance.

• Make Sound Decisions under competing priorities. Balance safety, quality, delivery, and cost, and keep safety first when schedule or cost pressure rises.