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Chief Operating Officer

Stark Aerospace
Columbus, MS Full Time
POSTED ON 6/21/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 7/20/2026

Operational Leadership

  • Lead day-to-day operations including manufacturing, supply chain, quality assurance, program management, and engineering.
  • Ensure consistent execution across all programs, meeting cost, schedule, and performance requirements.
  • Oversee production planning, inventory control, logistics, and resource management.
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives across operations, using Lean, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies.

Strategic Execution

  • Partner with the CEO and executive team to define and implement corporate strategy.
  • Translate strategic goals into actionable operational plans and key performance metrics.
  • Identify and mitigate operational risks, ensuring compliance with government regulations (e.g., FAR/DFARS, ITAR, AS9100, NIST).
  • Support M&A integration efforts, if applicable.

Program and Contract Performance

  • Ensure effective delivery and performance across multiple government and commercial contracts.
  • Collaborate with program managers to proactively manage schedules, budgets, and customer expectations.
  • Interface with key government and defense customers (e.g., DoD, prime contractors) to ensure alignment and satisfaction.Team Leadership & Culture

Team Leadership & Culture

  • Build, mentor, and lead high-performing operational teams.
  • Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and operational excellence.
  • Develop leadership talent and succession plans across the organization.

Financial and KPI Management

  • Work closely with the CFO to develop and manage budgets, forecasts, and financial targets.
  • Monitor performance metrics (e.g., OTD, quality, gross margin, cost of goods sold) and implement corrective actions as needed.
  • Support capital planning and investments aligned with growth strategy.

Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, or related field required.
  • MBA or advanced technical degree preferred.

Experience:

  • 15 years of progressive leadership experience in operations, preferably within defense, aerospace, or a highly regulated manufacturing industry.
  • Proven track record managing complex programs and teams in a $100M revenue environment.
  • Deep knowledge of DoD contracting, DFARS/FAR, ITAR, ISO/AS9100, and cybersecurity (NIST 800-171, CMMC).

Skills & Competencies:

  • Strategic thinker with hands-on execution capability.
  • Strong leadership, communication, and change management skills.
  • Deep understanding of supply chain, manufacturing, and engineering processes.
  • Experience with ERP systems, operational dashboards, and continuous improvement tools.

 

Salary : $100

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