Body Armor Production Operations Manager

Job Title: BODY ARMOR PRODUCTION OPERATIONS MANAGER

Department/Location: Operations

Reports To: Program Director – Defense Body Armor

FLSA Status: Exempt

Position Summary: The Body Armor Production Operations Manager is responsible for leading and directing all Defense Body Armor production and warehouse operations. This position oversees manufacturing performance, production planning, inventory management, continuous improvement initiatives, quality, safety, staffing, and operational efficiency. The Manager develops monthly production plans, ensures customer delivery requirements are met, and drives operational excellence through effective leadership, data-driven decision making, and cross-functional collaboration. The role is critical to achieving company objectives while maintaining compliance with customer, industry, and regulatory requirements.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Core Responsibilities

Production & Operations Management

• Oversee all Defense Body Armor manufacturing operations, including assembly, precision building, equipment utilization, and production scheduling.
• Develop and manage monthly production plans, capacity forecasts, labor requirements, and resource allocations to meet customer demand and program schedules.
• Ensure production targets, quality standards, and delivery commitments are consistently achieved.
• Monitor operational performance and implement corrective actions to address production challenges and bottlenecks.
• Analyze production data and establish Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to drive operational effectiveness.
• Manage labor utilization, overtime requirements, staffing levels, and workforce productivity.

Continuous Improvement

• Lead Continuous Improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, efficiency, cost reduction, waste elimination, and process optimization.
• Identify opportunities for Lean Manufacturing practices and operational excellence programs.
• Implement corrective and preventive actions to improve manufacturing processes and product quality.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement and employee engagement throughout the organization.

Warehouse Operations

• Oversee Defense warehouse operations, including receiving, inventory management, material handling, storage, cycle counting, shipping, and distribution.
• Ensure inventory accuracy and compliance with company inventory control procedures.
• Coordinate material movement and availability to support production schedules and customer delivery requirements.
• Work closely with Supply Chain and Purchasing teams to maintain optimal inventory levels.

Leadership & Team Development

• Provide leadership, direction, coaching, and performance management for supervisors, team leads, and production personnel.
• Develop employee skills through training, mentoring, and succession planning.
• Foster a positive work environment that promotes accountability, teamwork, respect, and safety.
• Conduct employee evaluations and establish performance improvement plans as needed.

Quality, Safety & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all safety policies, regulatory requirements, and company procedures.
• Maintain compliance with ISO 9001, AS9100, customer requirements, and industry standards as applicable.
• Ensure production and warehouse operations comply with ITAR and all applicable security requirements.
• Collaborate with Quality, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Program Management teams to resolve issues and improve operational performance.
• Support internal and external audits and implement corrective actions as required.

Qualifications/requirements:

• Fully fluent in English and capable of clearly communicating in Spanish.
• Strong leadership, organizational, communication, and decision-making skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead managers, supervisors, and production teams in a manufacturing environment.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications and manufacturing/ERP systems.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, planning, and project management skills.
• Experience with production planning, inventory management, and warehouse operations.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement methodologies, and operational performance metrics.
• Ability to troubleshoot technical and administrative manufacturing challenges.
• Experience in defense manufacturing, body armor, tactical equipment, or similar regulated manufacturing environments preferred.

other Qualifications/requirements: Ability to safely and successfully perform essential job functions consistent with the ADA, FMLA, and other federal, state and local standards, including meeting qualitative and/or quantitative productivity standards.

Ability to maintain reasonably regular, punctual attendance consistent with the ADA, FMLA, and other federal, state and local standards.

Ability to engage in an active, hands-on role on the factory floor.

May be required to work daily overtime and occasional weekends.

Compliance with strict safety and security protocols due to the nature of body armor production.

Compliance with all personnel policies

This position requires use of and access to information which is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).  Accordingly, all Manufacturing Supervisors must be U.S. persons within the meaning of ITAR.  ITAR defines a U.S. person as a U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (i.e. 'Green Card Holder'), Temporary Resident, Political Asylee, or Refugee.

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 accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Requires standing, walking, bending, and some strenuous activity including lifting up to 50 pounds when needed.

Regularly required to stand and move about the facility. Regularly required to perform physical work with hands during entire shift. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work is usually performed in a production floor. May work at different workstations as production needs require, or shifts from one station to another, during the assembly process. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, unless otherwise noted by safety signage.

Education/Training/Experience: High School diploma and minimum three years of experience in a manufacturing environment. Experience working in a manufacturing environment that is certified to ISO 9001/AS9100 preferred.