What are the responsibilities and job description for the PROJECT DIRECTOR position at LISI AEROSPACE NORTH AMERICA?
LISI AEROSPACE is ranked 60th in the global aerospace value chain and specializes in the design and manufacture of high-tech metal components to enhance aircraft safety and performance. Active since 1950 in the fastener market (no. 3 worldwide), LISI AEROSPACE has been a recognized player in metal components for aircraft engines and airframes since 2011. With its dedication to industrial excellence, LISI AEROSPACE aims to become a leader in costs, quality, deadlines and workplace safety. This mindset is represented at every level of our company and by all of our team members. At LISI AEROSPACE, we focus above all on advancement and flexibility. Every employee is empowered and has the latitude they need to carry out their assignments and develop their skills. We provide this mobility and training through our Corporate University, the LISI Knowledge Institute (LKI). As a result, our company is growing fast and always welcoming new talents.
Position Summary Project
We are executing a major North America manufacturing expansion and industrialization initiative to support long-term growth in precision aerospace components. The Project Director will lead the end-to-end execution of a complex, capital-intensive program, including deployment of new production capabilities, coordination of multi-site operations, and ramp to stable, scalable output.
This role carries full ownership of execution, timeline, capital investment, operational readiness, and cross-functional alignment, with direct visibility to senior leadership and key customers.
This is a high-impact leadership role with a clear path to broader operational responsibility.
Key Responsibilities
Program Leadership
This initiative represents a strategic investment in North America operations, enabling:
Reporting Structure
This Role Offers a Pathway Into
PHYSICAL DEMANDS, WORK ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH AND ,SAFETY
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. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit for extended periods of time, and to speak or listen. The employee is frequently required to sit and requires eye-hand coordination, repetitive hand movement and manual dexterity use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand for extended periods of time and walk. The employee must occasionally bend, reach to shoulder level and lift, carrying, pushing and/or pulling up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus. Hearing level within normal/average range.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.
Safety and Environmental
The responsibilities of the position include compliance with company and governmental safety, environmental and hazardous materials regulations and procedures. Employees will be required to wear personal safety equipment such as safety glasses, hearing protection, or proper footwear PPE in specified areas.
LISI is an equal opportunity at will employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of age, race, religion, color, disability, sex, sexual orientation or national origin.
Position Summary Project
We are executing a major North America manufacturing expansion and industrialization initiative to support long-term growth in precision aerospace components. The Project Director will lead the end-to-end execution of a complex, capital-intensive program, including deployment of new production capabilities, coordination of multi-site operations, and ramp to stable, scalable output.
This role carries full ownership of execution, timeline, capital investment, operational readiness, and cross-functional alignment, with direct visibility to senior leadership and key customers.
This is a high-impact leadership role with a clear path to broader operational responsibility.
Key Responsibilities
Program Leadership
- Lead full lifecycle execution of a large-scale manufacturing expansion and industrialization initiative
- Own delivery against key milestones including:
- Capacity deployment
- Production readiness
- Operational ramp
- Develop and manage integrated master schedules, critical path activities, and execution cadence
- Drive disciplined milestone management and escalation processes
- Lead implementation of new manufacturing capabilities across operations
- Oversee:
- Equipment specification, sourcing, and installation
- Process industrialization and operational readiness
- Facility and infrastructure requirements
- Ensure scalability, manufacturability, and long-term operational efficiency
- Lead phased production ramp activities to support customer demand
- Coordinate transition and alignment across multiple manufacturing locations
- Ensure continuity of supply and operational stability during production transfers and ramp-up activities
- Establish execution plans to achieve throughput, delivery, and quality targets
- Partner with internal and external stakeholders to align:
- Production timelines
- Qualification and readiness plans
- Capacity and delivery expectations
- Support execution of strategic customer programs and operational initiatives
- Maintain strong communication and alignment across leadership, operations, engineering, and commercial teams
- Own capital investment planning and execution
- Track performance against:
- Budget
- Timeline
- Forecasted milestones
- Implement disciplined forecasting, cost control, and reporting processes
- Support business case validation and investment reviews
- Lead readiness activities for:
- Industry certifications
- Customer approvals
- Operational qualification requirements
- Ensure quality systems and operational processes are aligned with ramp and production requirements
- Partner with quality and engineering teams to drive process validation and risk mitigation
- Build and lead a high-performing cross-functional team including:
- Engineering
- Quality
- Supply chain / procurement
- Operations
- Program support resources
- Establish strong accountability, execution discipline, and performance management processes
- Develop organizational capability to support long-term operational growth
- Identify and mitigate key risks related to:
- Labor availability
- Equipment lead times
- Ramp execution
- Production stability
- Qualification timing
- Drive proactive problem-solving and escalation management
- Maintain clear visibility to critical issues and recovery plans
- Provide structured, data-driven updates to executive leadership
- Lead milestone reviews, execution meetings, and governance forums
- Ensure alignment across cross-functional and global stakeholders
- 10 years of experience in aerospace, industrial, automotive, or precision manufacturing environments
- Proven track record leading:
- Large-scale manufacturing expansion or industrialization initiatives
- CapEx-intensive programs ($10M )
- Complex operational ramp activities
- Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, plant start-up, industrialization, and production systems
- Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams in high-pressure, fast-paced environments
- Experience in highly regulated manufacturing environments
- Exposure to customer qualification and operational approval processes
- Experience coordinating multi-site manufacturing operations or production transitions
- Familiarity with advanced manufacturing and operational excellence methodologies
- Builder mindset with strong bias for action
- High ownership and accountability
- Comfortable operating in ambiguity and driving structure
- Strong communicator across all levels of the organization
- Able to balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution
- Focused on outcomes, operational discipline, and continuous improvement
- Successful deployment of manufacturing capabilities within defined timeline
- Capital investment delivered within approved budget and milestone targets
- Stable production ramp with achievement of throughput and delivery objectives
- Alignment with customer and operational requirements
- Improved manufacturing scalability, flexibility, and operational performance
This initiative represents a strategic investment in North America operations, enabling:
- Expanded manufacturing capability and scalability
- Increased operational flexibility and resilience
- Support for critical customer programs and long-term growth
Reporting Structure
- Reports to: North America Operations Leadership
- Leads: Cross-functional industrialization and execution teams
This Role Offers a Pathway Into
- Site leadership (Plant Manager / General Manager)
- Regional operations leadership.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS, WORK ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH AND ,SAFETY
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. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit for extended periods of time, and to speak or listen. The employee is frequently required to sit and requires eye-hand coordination, repetitive hand movement and manual dexterity use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand for extended periods of time and walk. The employee must occasionally bend, reach to shoulder level and lift, carrying, pushing and/or pulling up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus. Hearing level within normal/average range.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.
Safety and Environmental
The responsibilities of the position include compliance with company and governmental safety, environmental and hazardous materials regulations and procedures. Employees will be required to wear personal safety equipment such as safety glasses, hearing protection, or proper footwear PPE in specified areas.
- Ensure compliance with HSE procedures, instructions, guidelines and golden rules
- Ensure that the HSE procedures and instructions of his/her department are always adapted and updated
- Ensure the acquisition and maintenance of HSE skills of its employees in relation to the tasks performed by its teams
- Ensure that the equipment under his/her responsibility is in good condition and operates safely. If this is not the case, he/she will ensure that protective measures are taken and/or that the equipment is consigned
- Identify and deal with HSE risk situations during the appropriate PSM
- Manage emergency situations with the help of the first aiders and first response team members
- Relay and lead HSE communication within his/her teams
- Ensure that the necessary resources are available to guarantee the preservation of the health and safety of the people in his/her department
- Ensure that the necessary resources are made available to guarantee the limitation of the environmental impact of his/her department
- Within his/her scope, implement actions to achieve the site's HSE objectives
- Participating in the HSE management review
LISI is an equal opportunity at will employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of age, race, religion, color, disability, sex, sexual orientation or national origin.
Salary : $175,000 - $200,000