Operations Manager

Stevens Point WI Full-Time On-Site

About the Role:

We are seeking an experienced Operations Manager to help establish stabilize and scale operations within a new aerospace propulsion manufacturing facility. This is a unique opportunity to play a foundational role in launching a high-performance manufacturing operation that produces advanced turbine engines for aerospace and defense applications.

Initially this position functions as a hands-on individual contributor responsible for building operational systems production processes and manufacturing infrastructure during facility startup. As operations mature and production scales from New Product Introduction (NPI) through Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP) to Full-Rate Production (FRP) the role evolves into a key operational leadership position overseeing production planning assembly testing maintenance environmental health and safety facility security and continuous improvement initiatives.

Responsibilities:

• Lead operational readiness activities to support the launch and scale-up of a new aerospace manufacturing facility.
• Develop and implement standardized assembly testing production and operational workflows to support New Product Introduction (NPI).
• Partner with Engineering and Quality to improve manufacturability process stability and production readiness.
• Support facility layout equipment installation commissioning and production startup activities.
• Develop work instructions operating procedures tooling strategies and production process documentation.
• Establish production planning scheduling material flow and capacity planning systems.
• Build and lead operations teams as production transitions from startup to full-rate manufacturing.
• Oversee assembly testing production planning maintenance environmental health and safety and facility security functions.
• Drive improvements in First Pass Yield (FPY) throughput cycle time takt time and overall manufacturing efficiency.
• Lead Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) structured problem solving and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Monitor key operational metrics including safety quality delivery cost productivity and equipment utilization.
• Collaborate with Supply Chain Engineering Manufacturing and Quality to resolve production challenges and improve operational performance.
• Implement Lean Manufacturing principles Six Sigma methodologies and best practices that improve productivity and eliminate waste.
• Ensure compliance with quality environmental safety and security standards including NIST 800-171 requirements.
• Recruit mentor and develop supervisors and operational staff while fostering a culture of accountability collaboration and continuous improvement.

Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree in Engineering Operations Management Manufacturing Industrial Engineering or a related field. Equivalent experience will be considered.
• Minimum of 7 years of manufacturing operations experience preferably within aerospace defense propulsion systems or other highly regulated manufacturing environments.
• Demonstrated experience transitioning products from New Product Introduction (NPI) into production manufacturing.
• Proven success supporting startup manufacturing operations or greenfield facility launches.
• Strong knowledge of production planning manufacturing operations process control yield improvement and operational scaling.
• Experience implementing Lean Manufacturing Six Sigma Root Cause Analysis RCCA and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience building operational processes systems and teams from the ground up.
• Strong understanding of production metrics including First Pass Yield (FPY) takt time throughput capacity planning and operational performance.
• Working knowledge of NIST 800-171 or similar security and compliance standards is preferred.
• Excellent leadership communication project management and organizational skills.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience supporting aerospace propulsion systems turbine engine manufacturing or complex electromechanical assembly operations.
• Previous leadership experience overseeing production supervisors planners maintenance or manufacturing support teams.
• Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma Green Belt/Black Belt certification.
• Experience with AS9100 quality systems or other regulated manufacturing standards.
• Background implementing ERP MES or production planning systems.
• Demonstrated ability to scale manufacturing operations while maintaining quality safety and delivery performance.

Why Join Us

This is a rare opportunity to help build the operational foundation of a next-generation aerospace manufacturing facility. Youll play a pivotal role in developing scalable manufacturing systems building high-performing teams and leading the transition from startup operations to full-rate addition to competitive compensation this position offers annual bonus potential equity participation relocation assistance and the opportunity to make a lasting impact on a rapidly growing aerospace manufacturing organization.