OPERATIONS MANAGER- ASSEMBLY in Albany, Georgia at Thrush Aircraft

Operations Manager – Assembly Operations

Position Summary

The Operations Manager – Assembly Operations is responsible for the safe, efficient, and compliant execution of aircraft/subcomponent assembly, integration, completion, and testing operations. This position provides leadership for assembly departments responsible for structural assembly, systems installation, electrical integration, aircraft completion, and final paint operations. The Operations Manager is accountable for achieving production, quality, cost, and delivery objectives while developing supervisors, improving operational performance, and supporting the strategic objectives established by the Director of Manufacturing.

This position reports to the Director of Manufacturing.

Key Responsibilities

Safety & Compliance

• Promote and maintain a culture of safety throughout all assigned operations.
• Ensure compliance with company safety policies, OSHA requirements, environmental regulations, and applicable industry standards.
• Lead investigations of safety incidents and implement corrective actions.
• Drive proactive risk identification and hazard mitigation efforts.

Production Execution

• Lead daily assembly and aircraft completion operations to ensure production schedules and aircraft delivery commitments are achieved.
• Monitor departmental performance and allocate resources to meet changing production priorities.
• Identify and remove barriers impacting aircraft flow, assembly efficiency, and delivery performance.
• Partner with Planning, Supply Chain, Quality, Manufacturing Engineering, and Flight Operations to achieve production objectives.
• Support production ramp-up activities to meet increasing customer demand.

Quality & Process Discipline

• Ensure assembly operations are executed in accordance with approved engineering requirements, work instructions, and quality standards.
• Drive improvements in first-pass yield and reduction of defects, rework, and production escapes.
• Support corrective and preventive action activities related to quality concerns.
• Promote process discipline and accountability throughout assigned operations.
• Partner with Quality Assurance to maintain compliance with company and customer requirements.

Cost & Productivity Management

• Manage labor utilization and productivity within assigned departments.
• Monitor overtime, staffing levels, and resource utilization.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency and reduce operational costs.
• Support inventory accuracy and material availability for assembly operations.
• Recommend tooling, equipment, and process improvements that improve operational performance.

Leadership & Workforce Development

• Lead and develop supervisors and production personnel within assigned operations.
• Establish performance expectations/goals and provide coaching, feedback, and accountability.
• Support recruiting, onboarding, training, and workforce development initiatives.
• Foster employee engagement, teamwork, and continuous learning.
• Develop succession plans and build organizational capability within assembly operations.

Continuous Improvement

• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, delivery, and cost performance.
• Utilize root cause analysis and corrective action methodologies to address operational issues.
• Drive implementation of Lean Manufacturing principles and standard work practices.
• Support projects that improve assembly flow, aircraft cycle time, and operational efficiency.

Scope of Responsibility

Responsible for aircraft assembly and completion operations including:

• Sub-Component Assembly
• Structural Assembly
• Control Surface Assembly
• Wing Assembly
• Electrical Assembly and Integration
• Aircraft Systems Installation
• Aircraft Completion Operations
• Final Paint Operations
• Flight Test Support
• Customer Delivery Support

Key Performance Indicators

Responsible for achieving performance objectives related to:

• Safety Performance
• Aircraft Delivery Performance
• Schedule Adherence
• Aircraft Cycle Time
• First Pass Yield
• Rework Reduction
• Labor Efficiency
• Productivity Improvement
• Customer Quality Performance
• Employee Development and Retention

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing, Engineering, Operations Management, Business, or a related field preferred.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Experience

• Minimum 3 years of manufacturing or assembly leadership experience.
• Experience leading multiple production departments through supervisors preferred.
• Aerospace or aircraft assembly experience strongly preferred.

Skills

• Strong leadership and team development abilities.
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience with ERP systems; SAP experience preferred.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

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