Director of Operations

Worker Type

Job Description

 

Job Summary

The Director of Operations, reports solid line to the Global Fulfillment organization and reports dotted line to the Product Line General Manager (PLGM) for assignments. Works closely with Engineering Program Managers as well as other members of the PLGM leadership team. The Operations Director maintains responsibility for all manufacturing operations and the business unit alignment of globally deployed purchasing, planning, integrated test operations and quality resources to ensure timely execution of order fulfillment for the business unit.  The main responsibilities are ensuring all commitments are met for customers. Ensures as a minimum quality assurance and safety standards are compliant to all applicable regulatory requirements and manufacturing facilities, production tooling, and capital equipment are adequately maintained as required.  This position will ensure all SUAS products are manufactured, assembled, and tested by AeroVironment or its strategic partners, meet the quality, safety, performance, cost, and delivery requirements of the SUAS commercial and military customers.

Position Responsibilities

Manufacturing / Fulfillment

• Leads the planning and tactical execution for Operations
• Works closely with the Program Managers throughout the SIOP process to ensure feasibility and execution.
• Builds and leads a diverse and engaged operations team of manufacturing, assembly, test, certification, and support personnel with a focus on customer satisfaction and continuous improvement
• Ensures that the manufacturing, assembly, and test of products meet the master plans within the required contract schedule, budget, risk, safety, and quality requirements
• Supports the development and implementation of policies, standards, or procedures for SUAS operations, and ensures ongoing compliance of these policies and standards with the relevant AeroVironment (AV) commercial and DOD standards
• Supports the development of customer proposals
• Engages with Global SCM and Quality Mission Assurance to formulate and execute planning, sourcing, and certification of suppliers.
• Work closely with the leadership team to establish and strategic KPI’s
• Works with buyer/planner and master scheduler to ensure plans and schedules support customer contract needs within their required schedule, budget, risk, safety, and quality constraints (i.e., requirements flow down)
• Supports the development of customer proposals
• Work closely with the AeroVironment VP of Fulfillment during the development deployment of enterprise policies and strategic objectives.
• Maintains compliance to AV corporate policies
• Other duties as assigned

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

• Bachelor's degree in Operations, Supply Chain Management Engineering, or Business Administration, or related field is required or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
• 15 + years of directly related operations management required; aerospace industry experience is desirable
• 8+ years of managing a multi-functional organization
• APICS CPIM (Certified in Production and Inventory Management) Certification desirable
• Experience developing and executing and managing global operations preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in operations planning, staffing, budgeting, managing multiple priorities and recommending and implementing change
• Expert leadership and negotiation skills to influence outcomes and resolve issues with internal and external stakeholders
• Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, operations and supplier management, logistics, quality assurance, resource allocation, leadership techniques, and production and test methods
• Experience managing product quality improvements, cost reduction, and process control initiatives
• Demonstrated experience obtaining and maintaining relevant quality certifications for commercial customers, DOD and international customers.
• Travel required to support US and international Operations locations

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

• Advanced degree is preferred
• FAA production certification experience preferred
• Thinks and acts strategically and tactically
• Strong communication (verbal and written) skills
• Effectively communicates the Operations strategy and long-term goals for others; implements strategy with a high degree of autonomy
• Uses vision to think beyond the immediate situation, explores multiple potential paths, and adapts decision-making style based on th