Manufacturing Ops Leader

The Manufacturing Operations Leader will own and drive the performance of two key value streams within our aerospace and defense manufacturing environment. This leader will be responsible for delivering safe, high-quality, cost-effective products on schedule while developing a high-performing operations organization.
The ideal candidate is an experienced manufacturing leader with 7+ years of progressive experience in a people-leading role who can translate business objectives into disciplined operational execution. This role requires strong leadership, cross-functional collaboration, continuous improvement, and a deep commitment to quality and customer mission success.

Note: This job description provides an outline of the essential functions and qualifications necessary for this position. It is not all-inclusive and duties may change, be added or deleted according to business need.

SUMMARY:

The Manufacturing Operations Leader will own and drive the performance of two key value streams within our aerospace and defense manufacturing environment. This leader will be responsible for delivering safe, high-quality, cost-effective products on schedule while developing a high-performing operations organization.

The ideal candidate is an experienced manufacturing leader with 7+ years of progressive experience in a people-leading role who can translate business objectives into disciplined operational execution. This role requires strong leadership, cross-functional collaboration, continuous improvement, and a deep commitment to quality and customer mission success.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

- Strive toward a culture of proactive safety.

- Establish operational priorities, performance goals, and accountability across both value streams.

- Develop and execute production plans to meet customer schedules and business objectives.

- Monitor key performance indicators and drive corrective actions when targets are not achieved.

- Partner closely with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Program Management, Human Resources, and other functions to resolve production issues.

- Drive continuous improvement initiatives using Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and other operational excellence methodologies.

- Identify and eliminate bottlenecks, waste, production constraints, and process inefficiencies.

- Ensure compliance with aerospace and defense quality standards, company procedures, and applicable regulatory requirements.

- Support new product introduction, production ramp-up, process improvements, and manufacturing readiness activities.

- Manage capacity, labor, equipment, and resource requirements across both value streams.

- Lead root-cause analysis and corrective/preventive actions for recurring operational issues.

- Develop and manage operating budgets while identifying opportunities to improve cost and productivity.

- Establish effective visual management and daily operating rhythms to maintain focus on critical metrics.

- Communicate operational performance, risks, and improvement plans to senior leadership.

- Foster a collaborative environment focused on delivering reliable aerospace and defense products that support the warfighter.

- Other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS:

- Bachelors degree in Operations Management or related field preferred.

- 7–10 years of progressive manufacturing or operations leadership experience, preferably within aerospace, defense, aviation, or another highly regulated industry.

- Demonstrated experience leading multiple manufacturing teams, production areas, or value streams.

- Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, production planning, capacity management, and operational metrics.

- Proven ability to lead through complex production challenges and deliver measurable improvements in safety, quality, delivery, and cost.

- Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, or other continuous improvement methodologies.

- Strong knowledge of quality systems and manufacturing requirements applicable to aerospace and defense environments.

- Demonstrated ability to develop and retain high-performing teams.

- Strong analytical, problem-solving, decision-making, and communication skills.

- Ability to effectively collaborate across Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Program Management, and executive leadership.

- Experience with ERP/MRP systems and manufacturing performance metrics.

- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities and demanding customer requirements.

Physical Requirements:

- Ability to stand and walk for extended periods throughout the work shift.

- Ability to frequently use hands and fingers to operate machine controls, tools, and measuring instruments.

- Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and components weighing up to 40 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.

- Ability to bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, and reach as required to load, unload, and inspect parts and equipment.

- Ability to perform repetitive motions involving the hands, wrists, and arms.

- Ability to visually inspect parts, interpret and read blueprints, technical drawings, work instructions, and use gauges, and measuring devices.

- Ability to distinguish colors, dimensions, and surface defects when performing quality inspections.

- Ability to hear and communicate effectively in a manufacturing environment.

- Ability to safely operate equipment in a fast-paced production setting while wearing required personal protective equipment (PPE), including safety glasses, hearing protection, safety shoes, and other equipment as required.

- Ability to work in an environment with exposure to machine noise, metal chips, cutting fluids, lubricants, and varying temperatures.

- Ability to maintain regular attendance and work scheduled shifts, including overtime as required.

Work Environment:

- Manufacturing environment with exposure to moving mechanical equipment.

- Frequent interaction with machine tools, raw materials, and finished products.

- Compliance with all company safety policies, housekeeping requirements, and Foreign Object Debris (FOD) prevention practices.

- Required use of appropriate PPE and adherence to all safety procedures.

Essential Functions Disclaimer:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

About HEICO:

Heico has a history of success. Since its founding over 40 years ago The Heico Companies has grown from a single business to over 80 separate companies through a strategic acquisition policy, and by reinvesting its earnings into internal growth and new prospects. Historically talented at restoring distressed companies, Heico now strategically targets acquisitions that will complement its ever-growing portfolio of companies in manufacturing, construction, and industrial services.

These four core operations are organized into groups: Metal Processing Group, Construction Solutions Group, Applied Solutions Group, and Industrial Technologies Group. Once acquired, new Heico companies are assigned to a group and run on a stand-alone basis, allowing for great independence as well as the opportunity to share knowledge about markets, production processes, and management practices across other Heico groups and companies. Each Group has its own corporate team.

Heico continues to seek out new opportunities and maintain its standard of success. The Heico Companies has remained a privately held company since its creation and maintains a majority ownership in each of its operations, which generates more than $3.3 billion dollars in revenues. Many of our businesses are certified Woman-owned Business Enterprises (WBE).

More information about the holding company and overall organization can be found at www.heicocompanies.com .