Senior Director Operations

Job Summary

The Senior Director, Operations will lead the greenfield design, construction, commissioning, and long-term scaled production of a new manufacturing facility, managing a capital budget >$150M and guiding an eventual workforce of 200+ personnel.  In addition, this role is responsible for providing services and resources to Engineering and Programs as needed to support the new location Assembly and Integration Center of Excellence for new product development and new product qualification.  The primary focus will be on Class 3 UAVs and air launched powered munitions.

This position requires experience leading the operation of a complex, multi-product manufacturing line inclusive of energetics integration. Expertise in munitions handling is required. While the facility is being developed the Senior Director, Operations will provide leadership as the interim facility lead until additional staff is onboarded to assume those responsibilities.

Responsibilities and Tasks

Serve as the senior operations interface to Business Units, Programs, Development Engineering, and state/local community leaders, ensuring aligned priorities and transparent communication.

Provide strategic operational leadership for major segments of the organization, shaping long-term plans, resource strategies, and cross-functional execution.

Direct Operations’ contributions to assigned programs, including cost, schedule, quality, and performance commitments; ensure plans align with company and functional strategy.

Oversee creation, approval, and execution of Operations program plans, capacity assessments, and production strategies. Key participant in make/buy decisions.

Lead and ensure full integration and execution of New Product Introduction (NPI) requirements within proposals, BOEs, IMS planning, engineering development, and manufacturing readiness. Support the development of and provide manufacturing insight for subcontracting strategies in collaboration with the Supply Chain leader.

Manage Production Control account execution across Operations, and related functions to ensure budget, schedule, and performance objectives.

Oversee the transition of mature products (MRL 6+) into new or expanded production facilities, ensuring readiness, rate capability, and compliance.

Provide executive-level leadership in facility strategy (site selection, architectural design influence, environmental/permit coordination, factory layout, security systems, and CapEx management).

Drive day-to-day operational performance across multiple manufacturing lines, ensuring throughput, on-time delivery, and effective labor and facility utilization.

Ensure full compliance with OSHA PSM, ATF FFL/FEL, EHS regulations, and company standards; lead incident investigations, audits, and corrective-action programs.

Own plant safety culture, enforcing SOPs for hazardous materials (propellants, explosives) and maintaining robust emergency preparedness, crisis management, and business continuity programs.

Lead workforce strategy, including hiring, training, certification, and development of high-performance teams aligned to organizational priorities.

Direct continuous improvement initiatives using Lean/Six Sigma to optimize productivity, reduce waste, improve cost competitiveness, and enhance manufacturing maturity. 

Build and maintain executive-level relationships with customers, regulators, defense partners, and internal leaders, negotiating issues and ensuring customer satisfaction.

Benchmark industry best practices and justify future investments (CapEx, technologies, infrastructure) to enable sustained competitiveness and long-term business growth.

Knowledge (Education/License/Certification, Prior Experience)

Master - Preferred (10+ years of production management experience may substitute)

Bachelor - Required; Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related field

Experience Required:

Functional (Using Skill Set) 10+ years

Management 10+ years

Defense Industry 10+ years

Experience: 10+ years in heavy manufacturing, chemicals, or defense, with at least 5 years managing an active munitions or energetic materials plant.

Build Experience: Proven track record of managing a greenfield or major brownfield factory construction project from groundbreaking to startup.

Knowledge: Expertise in military standards (Mil-Spec), explosives safety, and hazardous waste disposal.

Clearance: Must be able to obtain and hold a U.S. Department of War Secret security clearance.

Skills and Abilities

Required:

Willingness to work from/relocate to new selected factory location within the next 18 months is required.

Demonstrated experience managing programs through the product life cycle (pursuit through support and closure).

Demonstrated ability to manage cross-functional teams with competing priorities (Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Engineering, etc.).

Capable of creating and maintaining constructive customer relationships.      

Ability to manage disciplined internal processes by knowledge of industry standard tools and holding others accountable for the following:

Earned Value Management

Phased gate approval process

Program Planning

Risk & Opportunity Management

Requirements Management

MRP/ERP

Working knowledge and understanding of financial data such as P&L statements, ROI analysis, and cash flow.

Knowledge of relevant type of contracts, e.g. fixed price, cost plus, time and materials, performance-based logistics, contract logistics support, master repair agreement.

Exposure and working knowledge in negotiation, collaborative problem solving, conflict management, meeting facilitation skills, and applying tact and diplomacy with internal/external customers and foreign personnel.

Ability to effectively work with all management levels in the company

Experience in Aerospace & Defense manufacturing and working with USG and International Customers

Working knowledge of Import/Export requirements and compliance      

Experience with UAV and missile assembly, integration (including the warhead), and test

Comfortable travelling internationally to support transition of production and technology from overseas to domestic production

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities Desired:

Strong experience in UAVs and air-to-surface missiles

Moderate understanding of industry trends and our customers and competitors’ strategies, strengths and weaknesses.

Working knowledge of the defense acquisition process and an understanding of Defense Acquisition Regulations (DFARS).

Demonstrated experience working in manufacturing, supply chain, engineering, quality or program management

Work Model

This role will begin as a remote position during early planning stages. Following the build-out and initial operational setup, the position will transition to full on-site work, with relocation required. The estimated timeline for relocation is approximately 12 to18 months.

Travel Requirements

Frequent travel will be required throughout facility design, engineering, and construction phases. This includes domestic travel to prospective site locations and project partners, as well as occasional international travel to Israel for coordination with global teams and technical specialists.