Director of Operations (Manufacturing)

Job Description

Job Description

Description : Company Profile

Signia Aerospace is a global, integrated provider of high-performance systems and specialized components for the aerospace industry. Signia currently operates two complementary business segments : Thermal Management (key brands include ACE Thermal Systems and Mezzo Technologies) and Mission Systems (key brands include Onboard Systems, Lifesaving Systems, and Meeker Aviation). The Signia brands are leaders in their respective markets and provide a compelling value proposition to both aerospace and defense OEMs and end-users.

Onboard Systems Hoist & Winch, located in Anaheim, CA is one of the world’s leading providers of Search & Rescue (SAR) and Human External Cargo (HEC) advanced mission equipment for civil, commercial, and military helicopters.

SCOPE OF POSITION :

Reporting to the GM, the Director of Operations will lead all aspects of Operational Excellence at Onboard. In this role, located at our Onboard Systems Hoist & Winch operation in Anaheim, CA, you will lead a production team of 80 union and non-union direct and indirect reports comprised of Operations, FAA-certified Repair Station, Inventory / Planning and Supply Chain, and will be instrumental to the ongoing success of the company.

The Director of Operations will be charged with preparing all operational aspects of the business to be able to execute the defined growth plan. This will include identification of gaps between current state and best-in-class, and then deploying manufacturing technology, information tools, an engaged workforce and best practices for continual improvement.

PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES :

To achieve the mission for this position, the Director of Operations must produce the following critical actions and results :

1. Operations Strategy : Develop and implement an operational strategy for the business that addresses capacity, capability and productivity in order to meet production ramp-up goals. This includes :

a. Culture : Having recently undergone an ownership transition, the business is evolving in terms of cultural identity. The operations team will need to evolve to one where departments collaborate to make continuous improvement needed to support growth.

b. Optimization of Manufacturing Floor : Assess current facility and equipment, review the current manufacturing floor layout and staffing, and propose changes which incorporate Lean, optimized facility investments, and deployment of visual management tools and techniques as appropriate.

c. Management by Metrics : Review the company’s current key performance metrics and implement changes as needed, as well as effective means for communicating operational health and financial performance to employees, leadership, and ownership.

d. Capacity & Output : Develop more robust capacity & personnel planning tools in order to keep up with growing output needs

e. On-Time Delivery : Evaluate processes to improve on-time delivery as the business enters a ramp in output.

f. Safety : A safety and environmental compliance program is in place, but maintaining safety is a non-negotiable.

2. Operational Excellence : Lead the company’s focus and emphasis on operational excellence, continuous improvement (CI), and lean principles.

3. Facilitate New Product Development and Introduction : A Next Generation Hoist is currently in development, and will move to the industrialization phase within the next 2 year. A successful transition from the Design teams to Operations will be critical.

4. Quality : Lead the Production team to meet quality performance levels at the company, ensuring customer satisfaction. Work with the Quality Manager to review and revise quality processes so root cause and corrective actions are successful.

5. Stand up new Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO) facility : Previous ownership moved the MRO operation away from the Anaheim business. A key part of this role will be the successful “stand up” of a new facility (0.3miles away) that will enable the full business to once again operate under “one roof”.

Requirements :

The ideal candidate will have the following education, work history, knowledge and skills :

Education : Bachelors’ Degree in a Business discipline, Engineering or other relevant field required.

Experience : 10 years of experience as a Senior Operations Leader or General Manager of a manufacturing facility. Aerospace and Machining experience preferred. Union experience also preferred.

Knowledge and skills :

High mix, low volume manufacturing experience required, aerospace preferred.

Six Sigma Green, Black Belt or Lean proficiency.

Demonstrated ability to sustain a business / operation through significant growth cycles

Prior plant management experience and implementation of Lean manufacturing techniques or continuous improvement required. Must be able to teach and deploy (not just know).

Demonstrated knowledge and ability to articulate the critical inputs and outputs tied to New Product Development and New Product Introduction processes.

Demonstrated prior success in organizational development and team building.

Must be comfortable in all aspects of business (Sales, Operations, Finance, HR, etc.).

Prior experience operating in a private company environment is ideal.

Location : Job location in Anaheim, CA

Travel : Travel is not anticipated to be a major component of this position.