Director, Operations - Aerospace & Defense Industry

C/A Design, Inc., a key member of the Heico Companies, is a leading innovator in engineered rugged and embedded cooling solutions for the Aerospace and Defense sector. C/A Design leverages decades of expertise in mechanical and thermal design to create mission-critical products. The company’s product portfolio includes Vacuum & Dip Brazements, Rugged Chassis, Conduction Cooled Heat Frames, Wedgelock Card Retainers, Liquid Flow-Through Heat Frames, and complex high-tolerance machined components, all manufactured using advanced automated machining techniques.

SUMMARY:

Our industry leading thermal design solutions organization is seeking an experienced, top performing Director of Operations to direct plant activities at our Raleigh, NC manufacturing facility.  The successful candidate will provide leadership and guidance to the organization in support of company vision and goals. The Director of Operations will possess strong leadership qualities with a driven focus on delivering positive financial metrics and overall plant performance.  

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Strive towards a culture of proactive safety.
• As a leader, build a culture of integrity and openness. Exemplify the highest standard of conduct and ethical behavior.
• Drive site level strategic initiatives to promote revenue, profitability and growth.
• Direct and oversee key production personnel to ensure production efficiency, quality, service, and cost-effective management of resources to meet on-time delivery & quality goals and overall company financial objectives.
• Communicate Key Performance Indicators to entire workforce and drive to those metrics on a daily/monthly/quarterly basis.
• Partner with EH&S leadership to enforce and cascade ‘work safe’ culture throughout plant.
• Liaise with Human Resources leadership to ensure compliance and corporate driven objectives are met.
• Oversee inventory and support finance & accounting team with Segment level initiatives.
• Embrace 5S methodologies in support of lean, world class facility standards.
• Interface with customers and represent the facility as needed.
• Uphold and remain in compliance with facility ISO certification, AS 9100 & support efforts towards ITAR/NIST & CMMC compliance.
• Exemplify the core values of the organization through leadership and action, while being an active participant of the C/A Design executive leadership team.

EXPERIENCE:

• BS Degree in an Engineering discipline, Lean certification or training in progress.
• 5-10 years in a Manufacturing leadership role (CNC Fabrication, machine shop experience is a must) within a similar sized organization (100 employees, 30M revenue). 
• Progressive career that reflects challenges being met, drive, ambition and leadership capabilities.
• Relative experience from the Defense and/or Aerospace industry; working knowledge of AS9100 requirements.
• Proven track record of success in support of strategic planning and execution.
• Skill in examining and re-engineering operations and procedures and pivoting as needed to change direction in support of company objectives and goals.  
• Ability to communicate, interact and work effectively with staff at all levels and to motivate and mentor teams.
• Professional written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills; ability to develop and deliver presentations to the highest level of an organization.
• Leadership qualities and ability to motivate and mentor others.
• A continuous improvement mindset.
• Exceptional technical capabilities to include ERP/MRP & MS Office.

COMPETENCIES:

• Building Effective Teams
• Customer Focus
• Drive for Results
• Managing with vision and purpose
• Strategic Agility

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and sit.  The employee will use hands to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls, reach with hands and arms, climb stairs, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, talk or hear.  The employee is frequently required to sit and to use a computer keyboard with mouse for long periods of time. The employee will occasionally lift and/or move 25 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: 

Office, Plant, Warehouse or Remote locations:

Work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. 

While performing the duties of this job in the Plant or Warehouse, the employee is exposed to noise. The noise level is usually moderate, hearing protection may be required in designated areas.  The employee is required to wear safety glasses when in the plant. Conditions in remote locations vary, depending on the job requirements.