Director of Operations

Director of Operations | Aerospace & Defense Manufacturing | Phoenix, AZ

A well-established, privately held aerospace and defense manufacturer, profitable, and growing — is looking for its next operations leader. With a tenured leadership team, a firming backlog, and real succession potential, this is a rare opportunity to step into a high-impact role with a clear path upward.

The Director of Operations reports directly to the General Manager and serves as her operational right hand — owning day-to-day execution while building toward broader P&L responsibility as the business expands.

📍 Phoenix, AZ | 1st Shift | On-site

💰 $150K – $170K base performance-based bonus

📦 Relocation assistance available — we welcome candidates from California and other aerospace hubs

WHAT YOU'LL OWN:

• Lead daily operations across an under-100-person, single-shift manufacturing floor

• Own and present monthly KPIs — scrap, margins, on-time delivery, and productivity — to senior leadership and the CEO

• Manage supply chain end-to-end: MRP, PO entry, supplier relationships, lead times, capacity planning, and staffing

• Get ahead of backlog risk and customer needs before they become issues

• Drive lean and continuous improvement initiatives — elevate the operation, don't just maintain it

• Be the continuity plan — when the GM is out, you're the answer

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR:

• Aerospace manufacturing background — you know the pace, compliance, and precision this industry demands

• Supply chain or planning roots: MRP, PO management, supplier negotiations, material flow

• P&L literacy and comfort presenting financial performance to leadership and customers

• A collaborative leader — this team is tenured and skilled, they need a partner who raises the bar

• NadCap, Lean/CI, or defense program experience a strong plus

• Comfortable owning outcomes in a lean, multi-hat environment

WHY THIS ROLE:

✅ Genuine succession track to General Manager and P&L ownership — not a talking point

✅ Revenue growing upward of $50M with a strong and firming order backlog

✅ Stable, profitable, collaborative culture — low politics, high tenure

✅ Real authority from day one

✅ Phoenix cost of living is a meaningful upgrade from California on the same comp

Hands-on ops leader with aerospace DNA and supply chain roots? Ready to grow into a GM role? Reach out or apply directly Chris@skylimit-systems.com — we are moving quickly!