Director of Operations

Worker Type

Regular

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 the situational circumstances

• Inspires, motivates, and empowers AV team members to meet operational 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.

The salary range for this role is:

$148,891 - $211,365

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 must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR and the EAR, or a person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction. Please understand that any job offer that requires approval of an export license will be conditional on AeroVironment’s determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironment’s business requirements. A “U.S. person” according to the ITAR 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:  http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits.

We also encourage you to review our company website at http://www.avinc.com to learn more about us.

Principals only need apply.  NO agencies please.

Who We Are

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.

What We Do

Building on a history of technological innovation, AeroVironment designs, develops, produces, and supports an advanced portfolio of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems.  Agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense and allied military services use the company’s hand-launched UAS to provide situational awareness to tactical operating units through real-time, airborne reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status.

ITAR

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (Green Card holder), asylee/refugee status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) or a person approved for an export license from the appropriate governing agency.