Chief Operating Officer

Stark Aerospace•Columbus, MS

About The Position

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.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, or related field required.
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).
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.

Nice To Haves

MBA or advanced technical degree preferred.

Responsibilities

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.