OPERATIONS MANAGER

Phoenix Defense, LLC.•Gilbert, AZ

12d

About The Position

The Operations Manager is responsible for leading and optimizing manufacturing operations within a fast-paced aerospace environment. The Operations Manager is a technically grounded leader who drives operational performance, develops organizational capability, and implements scalable processes. The Operations Manager leads production operations and closely partners with Quality, Engineering, Planning, IT, and EHS to support their activities and ensure safe, compliant, and efficient execution in his/her area of responsibility.

Requirements

10+ years of experience in manufacturing, operations, or complex production environments
5+ years of leadership experience managing production teams, including supervisors or functional leads
Proven ability to drive operational performance (delivery, quality, cost, efficiency)
Experience in structured, process-driven environments requiring high accountability
Strong ability to understand technical production systems and workflows
Experience using ERP/MRP systems for planning and execution
Strong communication, leadership, and organizational skills
Ability to lead cross-functional teams

Nice To Haves

Strong systems-thinking mindset with ability to improve end-to-end processes
Ability to lead through others while maintaining accountability for results
Ability to analyze production data and drive performance improvements
Working knowledge of engineering, quality, supply chain, and manufacturing functions
Ability to balance short-term execution with long-term operational improvement
Strong leadership presence and ability to influence across functions
Ability to develop scalable processes in a growing manufacturing environment

Responsibilities

Oversee production operations across CNC machining and related processes, ensuring alignment with company and customer requirements
Translate production goals into executable plans, priorities, and resource allocation strategies
Drive accountability for on-time delivery, efficiency, quality, and cost performance
Lead through Managers, Supervisors and Leads to ensure clear direction and execution across production
Assign priorities, manage workflow constraints, and resolve production issues to ensure throughput and delivery
Establish and track KPIs; implement corrective actions for performance gaps
Identify systemic constraints and implement solutions to improve flow, capacity, and throughput
Partner with Engineering to improve manufacturability and reduce production risk
Collaborate with Planning and Procurement to ensure material availability and realistic scheduling
Manage job routing and outside processing
Standardize processes and implement best practices across manufacturing operations
Recommend and implement initiatives to improve efficiency and reduce costs
Ensure effective use of ERP/MRP systems for planning, execution, and performance tracking
Maintains a monthly and annual Preventive Maintenance schedule for all production equipment, machines and tooling.
Sources qualified companies to perform maintenance over and above shop-level tasks.
Develop organizational capability through coaching, mentoring, and succession planning
Support performance management, including goals, evaluations, and development planning
Ensure adherence to quality standards and internal procedures
Support root cause and corrective action efforts for quality and delivery issues
Promote a culture of safety, accountability, and operational discipline
Communicate operational status, risks, and improvement plans to leadership
Support capacity planning, capital planning, and long-term operational strategy
Perform other duties as assigned by management