Manufacturing Operations Manager

Job Description:

Safety Training Systems builds full-scale aircraft trainers used by Boeing, the U.S. military and major airlines. We’re growing, adding production staff for new contracts, and need an operations leader to run the shop floor and scale it with us.

The Opportunity:

You’ll take ownership of daily production at a 47-year-old Tulsa manufacturer that is entering a growth phase. You’ll build out the team, tighten the processes and set the standard for how the shop runs. You’ll report directly to the President & CEO and have real authority to make changes.

What You’ll Own:

• Production: Lead supervisors, fabricators and assemblers, and run planning, scheduling and labor management across multiple programs.
• Delivery: Hit schedule, budget and quality targets on custom, low-volume, high-mix builds.
• Standards: Set and enforce procedures, training, safety practices and accountability.
• Cross-functional leadership: Work with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain and Program Management to resolve technical issues and reduce program risk.
• Continuous improvement: Drive gains in flow, efficiency, cost, workplace organization and on-time delivery.
• Customer readiness: Support audits, inspections, readiness reviews and test events with prime-contractor and DoD customers.
• Reporting: Give leadership clear visibility into production status, risks, staffing needs and corrective actions.

What You Bring:

• 5 years of manufacturing or production experience, including supervisory or management responsibility.
• Experience running project-based or high-mix production, not just repetitive line work.
• Strong production planning, scheduling and labor management skills.
• Ability to read engineering drawings, BOMs, specifications and work instructions.
• A decisive leader who holds people accountable and communicates clearly with the shop floor and the front office.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel.
• U.S. citizen or permanent resident (ITAR requirement).

Preferred:

• Aerospace, defense, aviation, simulation or training-device manufacturing background.
• Working knowledge of ISO 9001:2015, lean and 5S.
• Experience supporting prime contractors or DoD programs.

Compensation & Benefits:

• $80,000–$110,000 base salary (depending on experience) bonus opportunities.
• Medical, dental, life, short- and long-term disability.
• 401(k) with company match after one year.
• Paid holidays, plus paid vacation after six months.

Work Environment:

• Split between the office and an active manufacturing floor.
• Must be able to lift up to 25 lbs.
• Occasional travel.

About STS:

Since 1979, Safety Training Systems, LLC has designed and built aerospace training equipment in Tulsa, Oklahoma. STS is ISO 9001:2015 certified, HUBZone-qualified and trusted by leading defense primes and airlines.

STS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or veteran status.