Plant Manager – Aerospace Airfoil Manufacturing in Winsted, Connecticut at DRT Holdings, LLC

Location: Winsted, CT

Relocation assistance is not available—candidates must be local or willing to commute.

Compensation: Competitive Salary + Bonus + Comprehensive Benefits

Lead Aerospace Manufacturing Excellence. Drive Operational Performance. Deliver Customer Success.

Are you an experienced aerospace manufacturing leader with a proven track record of full P&L ownership, operational excellence, and customer relationship management? We are seeking a Manufacturing Plant Manager to lead a high-performance aerospace manufacturing facility focused on precision-engineered airfoil components serving some of the industry's most demanding customers.

This is a hands-on leadership opportunity for a results-driven professional who thrives in a fast-paced aerospace environment and is passionate about safety, quality, continuous improvement, and team development.

Required Experience

Airfoil Manufacturing

• Direct experience manufacturing aerospace airfoils, turbine blades, vanes, or related precision-engineered components

• Understanding of aerospace production processes, quality requirements, and customer expectations

Customer-Facing Leadership

• Experience interacting directly with aerospace OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, and strategic customers

• Proven ability to manage customer relationships, audits, performance reviews, and escalations

Lean Manufacturing & Six Sigma

• Demonstrated success implementing Lean Manufacturing principles

• Experience leading Kaizen events, waste reduction initiatives, process optimization, and continuous improvement programs

• Lean and/or Six Sigma certification strongly preferred

Financial Leadership

• Full P&L management experience

• Experience managing budgets, forecasting, capital expenditures, cost reduction initiatives, and profitability improvements

Key Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership and direction for aerospace manufacturing operations

• Maintain full P&L responsibility, including revenue, cost control, margins, productivity, and operational performance

• Develop and execute strategic plans to achieve safety, quality, delivery, and financial objectives

• Lead production, engineering, quality, maintenance, supply chain, and operational support functions

• Serve as the primary point of contact for key aerospace customers and support customer visits, audits, and business reviews

• Drive Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement initiatives throughout the facility

• Improve operational efficiency, throughput, capacity utilization, and on-time delivery performance

• Ensure compliance with aerospace quality standards, customer requirements, and regulatory expectations

• Develop succession plans and leadership capabilities throughout the organization

• Monitor KPIs and implement corrective actions to improve plant performance

Minimum Qualifications

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

• 10+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience

• 5+ years of Plant Manager, General Manager, Operations Director, or equivalent leadership experience

• Aerospace manufacturing experience required

• Demonstrated P&L ownership and accountability

• Experience managing large manufacturing teams and multi-functional departments

• Strong understanding of aerospace quality systems and operational requirements

• Ability to travel as needed for customer and business requirements

Ideal Candidate

• Strategic business leader with strong operational discipline

• Proven aerospace manufacturing expert with airfoil experience

• Customer-focused executive who builds trust and long-term partnerships

• Data-driven decision maker with strong financial acumen

• Continuous improvement champion with Lean and Six Sigma expertise

• Inspirational leader who develops talent and drives accountability

• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, high-performance aerospace environment

If you have P&L ownership experience, aerospace airfoil manufacturing expertise, customer-facing leadership experience, and a proven Lean/Six Sigma background, we want to hear from you. Join a team where your leadership will directly impact operational success, customer satisfaction, and business growth.

Apply today and build what powers the future of flight.

#Aerospace

Keywords: Plant Manager, Aerospace Plant Manager, Aerospace Manufacturing Manager, Manufacturing Operations Manager, Operations Director, General Manager, Aerospace Operations Leader, Airfoil Manufacturing, Turbine Blade Manufacturing, Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, P&L Management, Aerospace Production, Continuous Improvement, Aerospace OEM, AS9100, Operational Excellence, Manufacturing Leadership.