Director, Operations

Worker Type

Regular

Job Description

Summary

We are currently seeking a senior leader to run the Operations & Supply Chain for the MacCready Works Segment. The MacCready Works Segment is one of three operating segments within AeroVironment and is comprised of several focus areas each with their own senior leader in a general management role. The focus areas include HAPs, Learning and Active Perception (LEAP), Autonomy, Novel UAS, Space, and Novel Effects/Materials. The Director of Operations & Supply Chain will support across these focus areas to provide leadership in the areas of planning, ensuring efficient and effective sourcing, procurement, and subcontracting processes while maintaining the highest standards of quality, compliance, and operational excellence, facilities, and industrial security. The responsibility to strategize, coordinate, and manage the infrastructure of the business operation to fully support the innovation engines of the MacCready Works Sector throughout their life cycles. As innovations transition into low-rate initial production, responsibilities include developing a quality and safety assurance plan, manufacturing processes, production facilities & tooling, and ramp-up plans.

The Director of Operations & Supply Chain works closely with Segment leaders and individual Program Managers to conduct source selection and execution of the manufacturing, integrated test operations and order fulfillment for the MacCready Works Segment. The primary responsibilities are to identify and negotiate strategic partnership agreements for key enabling technologies and subsystems, manage the manufacturing and integrated test operations and the resulting product manufacturing processes, manage the manufacturing and engineering R&D facilities, provide oversight over the engineering and production tooling, manage the capital equipment and ensure quality, safety assurance and compliance to all applicable regulatory requirements.

Position Responsibilities

Strategic Planning and Execution

• Own the Make vs Buy strategy though all product lines within the MacCready Works Segment.
• Develop and execute strategies to enhance operational efficiencies, streamline supply chain processes, and optimize procurement activities.
• Collaborate with the Program Managers and Executive Leadership team to align operations and supply chain strategies with overall company objectives during planning, negotiation, certification, execution and delivery of project lifecycles.
• Supports the development and implementation of policies, standards, or procedures for supply chain & operations; ensure ongoing compliance of these policies and standards with the relevant AeroVironment (AV) commercial, FAR and DoD requirements and standard.

Operations Management

• Establish and maintain required production standards for Airworthiness and Quality as determined by each program’s needs.
• Support the development of customer proposals by providing inputs.
• Collaborate with Program Managers and Finance team to determine proper staffing needs to meet operational demands.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure and enhance operational performance.
• Implement best practices for process improvement, quality control, and cost reduction.
• Establish and implement material control policies and standards.

Strategic Sourcing Management

• Manage the end-to-end supply chain process, including demand forecasting, inventory management, production scheduling, and distribution.
• Establish Supplier Relationship Management program to develop and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers, monitor market trends, and implement strategies to ensure the availability of high-quality materials and components at competitive prices.
• Conducts strategic value chain & execution strategy for high-rate aircraft manufacturing; sets-up, activates, and certifies the necessary manufacturing and integrated test facilities, aircraft tooling, and support equipment for implementing high-rate mass production.
• Ensures that suppliers meet the master plans and schedules within their required contract schedule, budget, risk, safety, and quality constraints (i.e., requirements flow down).
• Identify opportunities to optimize supply chain processes and enhance supply chain resilience.
• Lead procurement activities by developing procurement strategies, negotiating contracts, and ensuring cost-effective sourcing of materials, goods, and engineering technical services.
• Manage subcontractors and contract manufacturers, ensuring they meet project requirements, timelines, and quality standards.

Facilities & Industrial Security Management

• Oversee facilities and property management, including maintenance, security, and space utilization.
• Ensure that facilities are well-maintained, safe, and compliant with relevant regulations and standards.
• Own both the tactical and strategic facility plans to support the growth of MacCready Works across multiple sites, includes engineering development, classified facilities, and production.

Team Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of operations, supply chain, procurement, and sub contract professionals.
• Foster a collaborative and results-oriented work environment, promoting cross-functional cooperation.
• Build and fill the operations and supply chain organization structure for efficient utilization of resources.

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

• Bachelor's degree in Operations Management, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, or Business Administration, or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• 12 + years of directly related operations and supply chain management required; aerospace industry experience is required.
• 8+ years of successfully managing a multi-functional organization.
• Can work collaboratively in an innovative and dynamic engineering environment.
• APICS CPIM (certified in Production and Inventory Management) Certification.
• Experience developing and executing strategic/supply chain agreements, and managing global operations.
• Demonstrated experience in operations and supply chain 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 supply chain management, logistics, quality assurance, resource allocation, leadership techniques, and production and test methods.
• Experience managing product quality improvements, cost reduction, and process control initiatives.
• Experience supporting classified programs.
• Demonstrated experience delivering product for DCMA managed contracts while obtaining and maintaining relevant ISO certifications for commercial customers.
• Travel required to support US and international Operations locations.
• US Citizen and have, or be able to obtain, a Secret DoD Clearance.

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

• Advanced degree is preferred.
• FAA and/or DoD Program of Record production experience preferred.
• Experience with the operations associated with software products.
• Program or Project Management leadership experience.
• Thinks and acts strategically and tactically.
• Strong communication (verbal and written) skills.
• Clarifies the Operations and Supply Chain strategy and long-term goals for others; implements strategy with some autonomy.
• Uses vision to think beyond the immediate situation, explores multiple potential paths, and adapts decision-making style based on the situational circumstances.
• Inspires, motivates, and empowers AV team members to meet commitments, while also delivering value back to employees.
• Brings organizational values to life using personality, uniqueness, and the creation of a shared vision.
• Champions the process of change and promotes a culture of quick adaptation while helping others deal with the effects of change and leveraging change management best practices.
• Demonstrates the ability to develop and maintain internal and external trusting, professional relationships.
• Assesses the degree of risk and opportunity in plans or actions and takes appropriate action to mitigate them or makes plans to build on the opportunity.

Physical Demands

• Ability to work in the AV office and manufacturing environment and other domestic & international locations.
• Able to travel to multiple sites across the United States and potentially internationally, expect up to 25% of travel for periods of times.
• Required to sit and stand for long periods; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard (Frequent).

Salary Range

The salary range for this role is: $172,788 - $259,182. AeroVironment considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the location, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills.

ITAR Requirement

This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants will be asked to provide specific documentation to verify U.S. person status under the ITAR and the EAR. A “U.S. person” according to their definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee, or asylee. See 22 CFR § 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.

Benefits

AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown. For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit: .

Company Overview

Based in California, AeroVironment (AVAV) is a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Founded in 1971 by celebrated physicist and engineer, Dr. Paul MacCready, we’ve been at the leading edge of technical innovation for more than 45 years. Be a part of the team that developed the world’s most widely used military drones and created the first submarine-launched reconnaissance drone, and has seven innovative vehicles that are part of the Smithsonian Institution’s permanent collection in Washington, DC.

Join us today in developing the next generation of small UAS and tactical missile systems that will deliver more actionable intelligence to our customers so they can proceed with certainty – and succeed.

Equal Opportunity Employer

AeroVironment Incorporated is an equal opportunity employer, M/F/D/V and works in compliance with both federal and state laws. We are committed to the concept regarding Equal Employment opportunity. Qualified candidates will be considered for employment regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, medical condition nor disability, genetics, veteran and all others that may apply.