Director of Operations – Defense Division

Guill Tool & Engineering • West Warwick, RI

3d • Onsite

About The Position

Guill Tool & Engineering is seeking a hands-on, continuous improvement-minded leader with manufacturing experience to oversee our defense division. The role is primarily focused on managing build-to-print contracts for precision components and assemblies manufactured to customer-provided drawings and specifications. This person will lead a multifunctional team responsible for understanding customer requirements and coordinating contract execution from initial quote through final delivery. This opportunity includes a planned transition with our current division leader, supported by documented procedures, a structured cross-training program, and an internal business intelligence team dedicated to improving processes and technology. We value proven leadership, sound judgment, and an understanding of manufacturing operations.

Requirements

• Manufacturing experience is required, with a working understanding of manufacturing workflows, production requirements, and shop-floor operations.
• Demonstrated success leading a team, managing competing priorities, and following through on commitments.
• A record of improving processes and achieving measurable results.
• Ability to learn unfamiliar products, customer specifications, systems, and contractual requirements and recognize when specialist input is needed.
• Strong communication, organizational, analytical, and customer relationship skills.
• Comfort using business software and data, with curiosity about new technology.
• Relevant education or equivalent practical experience.
• Must be a U.S. citizen.

Nice To Haves

• Prior defense industry expertise is helpful but not required.
• Experience in precision machining, build-to-print contract manufacturing, manufacturing program management, or production control is beneficial.
• Familiarity with quoting and estimating, ERP systems, and regulated manufacturing environments—including defense or aerospace—is helpful.

Responsibilities

• Set clear priorities, coach employees, build accountability, and encourage teamwork and shared problem-solving.
• Oversee quoting, proposals, contract reviews, customer communications, and contract changes. Ensure customer drawings, specifications, quality requirements, and delivery commitments are understood and addressed, with support from technical and business teams.
• Work closely with manufacturing engineering, procurement, quality, and production to translate contract requirements into actionable manufacturing plans, resolve issues, and meet delivery commitments.
• Identify bottlenecks, simplify workflows, and turn employee ideas into measurable improvements in efficiency, accuracy, and service.
• Monitor workload, manufacturing costs, contract profitability, delivery performance, and revenue forecasts to support sound decisions and profitable operations.
• Maintain and improve existing procedures and cross-training plans, verifying proficiency and building dependable coverage across departmental responsibilities.
• Partner with our business intelligence team to improve systems and apply practical automation, data analysis, and AI tools.
• Learn and uphold applicable contractual, quality, and security requirements, coordinating with appropriate specialists and addressing risks promptly.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: No Education Listed