Operations Manager

Stevens Point, WI | Full-Time | On-Site

About the Role:

We are seeking an experienced Operations Manager to help establish, stabilize, and scale operations within a new aerospace propulsion manufacturing facility. This is a unique opportunity to play a foundational role in launching a high-performance manufacturing operation that produces advanced turbine engines for aerospace and defense applications.

Initially, this position functions as a hands-on individual contributor responsible for building operational systems, production processes, and manufacturing infrastructure during facility startup. As operations mature and production scales from New Product Introduction (NPI) through Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP) to Full-Rate Production (FRP), the role evolves into a key operational leadership position overseeing production planning, assembly, testing, maintenance, environmental health and safety, facility security, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Responsibilities:

• Lead operational readiness activities to support the launch and scale-up of a new aerospace manufacturing facility.
• Develop and implement standardized assembly, testing, production, and operational workflows to support New Product Introduction (NPI).
• Partner with Engineering and Quality to improve manufacturability, process stability, and production readiness.
• Support facility layout, equipment installation, commissioning, and production startup activities.
• Develop work instructions, operating procedures, tooling strategies, and production process documentation.
• Establish production planning, scheduling, material flow, and capacity planning systems.
• Build and lead operations teams as production transitions from startup to full-rate manufacturing.
• Oversee assembly, testing, production planning, maintenance, environmental health and safety, and facility security functions.
• Drive improvements in First Pass Yield (FPY), throughput, cycle time, takt time, and overall manufacturing efficiency.
• Lead Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA), structured problem solving, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Monitor key operational metrics including safety, quality, delivery, cost, productivity, and equipment utilization.
• Collaborate with Supply Chain, Engineering, Manufacturing, and Quality to resolve production challenges and improve operational performance.
• Implement Lean Manufacturing principles, Six Sigma methodologies, and best practices that improve productivity and eliminate waste.
• Ensure compliance with quality, environmental, safety, and security standards, including NIST 800-171 requirements.
• Recruit, mentor, and develop supervisors and operational staff while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, or a related field. Equivalent experience will be considered.
• Minimum of 7 years of manufacturing operations experience, preferably within aerospace, defense, propulsion systems, or other highly regulated manufacturing environments.
• Demonstrated experience transitioning products from New Product Introduction (NPI) into production manufacturing.
• Proven success supporting startup manufacturing operations or greenfield facility launches.
• Strong knowledge of production planning, manufacturing operations, process control, yield improvement, and operational scaling.
• Experience implementing Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Root Cause Analysis, RCCA, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience building operational processes, systems, and teams from the ground up.
• Strong understanding of production metrics including First Pass Yield (FPY), takt time, throughput, capacity planning, and operational performance.
• Working knowledge of NIST 800-171 or similar security and compliance standards is preferred.
• Excellent leadership, communication, project management, and organizational skills.

Required:

• U.S. Citizenship is required due to applicable government regulations and customer requirements associated with defense and aerospace programs.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience supporting aerospace propulsion systems, turbine engine manufacturing, or complex electromechanical assembly operations.
• Previous leadership experience overseeing production supervisors, planners, maintenance, or manufacturing support teams.
• Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma Green Belt/Black Belt certification.
• Experience with AS9100 quality systems or other regulated manufacturing standards.
• Background implementing ERP, MES, or production planning systems.
• Demonstrated ability to scale manufacturing operations while maintaining quality, safety, and delivery performance.

Why Join Us?

This is a rare opportunity to help build the operational foundation of a next-generation aerospace manufacturing facility. You'll play a pivotal role in developing scalable manufacturing systems, building high-performing teams, and leading the transition from startup operations to full-rate production. In addition to competitive compensation, this position offers annual bonus potential, equity participation, relocation assistance, and the opportunity to make a lasting impact on a rapidly growing aerospace manufacturing organization.