Operations Manager

Fiber Materials Inc. | solutions for the most extreme places in the universe

FMI's manufacturing facility has been a leading solutions provider of high temperature materials and composites for more than 50 years, serving the Department of Defense and NASA. The focus in Maine is on multidirectional reinforced Carbon/Carbon (C/C) and Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMCs) that enable high-temperature components such as: thermal protection systems, re-entry vehicle nose tips as well as rocket motor throats and nozzles.

Our materials are being used on ground-breaking space initiatives such as the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle and the heat shield for NASA's Mars 2020 mission, important missile programs, airfoils in commercial and military jet engines, and as lightweight armor for U.S. military ground vehicles.

Your role: FMI is seeking a thoughtful, strategic, and experienced Operations Manager. The Operations Manager will lead our manufacturing organization towards its next level of excellence. In this role, the Operations Manager will champion a culture of safety, quality, and continuous improvement, ensuring our operations are both cost-effective and highly responsive to customer needs. You will be instrumental in preparing our team for the future by guiding the integration of new product manufacturing, and ensuring our local production goals align with the company's broader strategic vision.

Job Responsibilities:

• Direct the operations function, focusing on the day-to-day and medium-term performance of the Production, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Equipment Maintenance groups
• Serve as a member of the Site Leadership Team that defines and executes the overall strategy for all Maine locations
• Coordinate and prioritize facility resources to meet the requirements of the operations, application engineering, technology development, and testing organizations
• Give direct supervision to the operations organization through the site manager(s) position
• Work with managers, peers, and indirect reports in resolving day-to-day issues and conducting the normal course of business
• Maintains and utilizes a factory capacity model to make decisions/recommendations on capital expenditures, staffing requirements, and material needs
• Accountable for securing current supplies of raw materials and for identifying and developing sources to reduce risks
• Allocation of resources (personnel, time, assets), prioritization of work and projects and conflict management
• Prepare and makes presentations to customers, management, salaried, and hourly groups
• Routinely meets with key vendors/suppliers, consultants, and business partners to represent business interests
• Has the responsibility for and actively encourages, suggests, and makes decisions for changes to systems and to process technologies to enhance manufacturing capabilities and efficiencies

What we need from you:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Operations Leadership, Engineering, or related field/discipline
• Minimum 10 years of relevant business experience and job positions in a manufacturing environment
• Thorough understanding of practices, theories, and principles involved in operations
  • (i.e., manufacturing technology, quality systems, process control, equipment design and engineering, supply chain management systems, budget setting, lean manufacturing tools)
• Moderate to broad understanding of practices, theories, and principles involved in business, and finance
• Strong analytical, decision-making, and problem-solving skills
• Strong business and financial acumen
• Strong written and oral communication skills in the English language
• Strong interpersonal skills (managerial and diplomacy)

Preferred:

• Master’s degree in Business Administration
• Lean / Six Sigma / Continuous Improvement proficiency
• Active Personnel Security Clearance

What you'll get from us:

• 16 ETO days
• 12 paid holidays (including Winter Closure!)
• Medical / Dental / Vision
• 401k Company Match
• Tuition Reimbursement
• $1000 Sign-On Bonus