Operations Manager -Aerospace Manufacturing and Composite Experience

We are recruiting an Operations Manager for a growing aerospace composite manufacturing company. This role is responsible for end-to-end manufacturing operations in a prepreg-based composite environment, supporting both R&D and production programs.

This is a hands-on leadership role requiring deep experience in aerospace composite fabrication, not general manufacturing or metals-based operations.

Manufacturing Operations

• Lead daily manufacturing operations, including scheduling, throughput, and WIP management.

• Ensure composite manufacturing processes meet quality, performance, and efficiency standards (prepreg layup, curing, trimming, bonding, finishing).

• Oversee safe and reliable operation of equipment and facilities, coordinating maintenance and capital planning.

• Partner with Engineering, Quality, and Program Management to ensure smooth transition from R&D to production.

Supply Chain & Materials

• Own raw material flow, inventory control, supplier coordination, and outsourcing logistics.

• Ensure traceability and shelf-life compliance for prepreg and other controlled materials.

Workforce & Team Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop production supervisors, technicians, and support staff.

• Promote cross-training, accountability, and high-performance team behavior.

• Reinforce Innovative Composite Engineering's values of innovation, collaboration, and excellence through leadership example.

Continuous Improvement

• Champion Lean manufacturing, 5S, visual factory, and standard work.

• Develop and implement KPIs to monitor productivity, quality, cost, and delivery.

• Identify bottlenecks, lead root cause investigations, and implement sustainable improvements.

Cross-functional Collaboration

• Serve as the operational voice in new product introduction, quoting, and strategic planning.

• Collaborate with Sales, Engineering, Quality, and Finance to align production capacity with customer requirements.

• Support regulatory and certification requirements, including NADCAP, AS9100, and customer audits.

• 7+ years in a manufacturing leadership role in aerospace or advanced composites

• Demonstrated expertise in prepreg composite fabrication: layup, cure cycles, trimming, bonding, and finishing

• Working knowledge of machining operations, inspection techniques (including FAI and dimensional metrology), and quality management systems

• Experience managing or coordinating supply chain, maintenance, and facilities functions

• Strong command of Lean principles, production planning tools, and ERP systems

• Proven ability to lead teams through growth, change, and performance challenges
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Engineering, Operations, or related field

• Hands-on knowledge of AS9100, NADCAP, or equivalent aerospace standards

• Experience scaling composite manufacturing operations for prototype and production volumes

• Background in both build-to-print and build-to-spec programs

• Other duties as assigned