Operations Manager, Fighter Jets - Aerospace MaterialsSylmar, CA
In the
Operations Manager, Fighter Jets - Aerospace Materials, you will be responsible for leading the manufacturing value stream for F-35 transparency products and overseeing final assembly operations across additional fighter aircraft programs. This role owns the end-to-end execution of the F-35 value stream from post-Start Center operations through final product delivery, excluding Start Center operations and coatings application processes.
As the operational leader for one of the organization's most strategically important product lines, you will be accountable for ensuring the value stream consistently delivers world-class performance in Safety, Quality, Delivery, Inventory, and Cost (SQDIC). The position requires a highly capable leader who can balance strategic improvement initiatives with disciplined daily execution while driving flow, productivity, schedule attainment, and customer satisfaction.
The
Operations Manager, Fighter Jets will champion Lean Manufacturing principles and lead continuous improvement efforts across the value stream. Success requires a strong understanding of takt-based manufacturing, value stream management, Kaizen methodologies, Six Sigma tools, and operational excellence practices. As this leader you will build and sustain a culture of accountability, standardized work, continuous improvement, and customer-focused execution.
Approximately 80% of the role is dedicated to driving strategic performance improvements and value stream optimization, while 20% focus on the daily management of operations and execution.
This is an On-site role working from the Sylmar, CA facility. In this role you will report to the Plant Manager.
Responsibilities:- Lead the Fighter Jet value stream - from post-Start Center operations through final assembly and shipment - to achieve best-in-class performance across Safety, Quality, Delivery, Inventory, and Cost (SQDIC) by developing strategic plans, establishing robust KPIs, and aligning operational priorities with customer requirements, program demands, and organizational objectives to drive throughput, profitability, and long-term operational excellence.
- Lead final assembly operations across multiple fighter aircraft programs, including F-35 transparency production, by ensuring rigorous compliance with aerospace manufacturing standards, driving consistency through standard work, and developing manufacturing systems that enable predictable performance, high quality, and efficient product flow while meeting daily production and delivery commitments.
- Champion Lean Manufacturing as the primary operating philosophy by implementing and sustaining Daily Management Systems, Standard Work, Visual Management, Takt-Based Production, Cellular Manufacturing, Value Stream Mapping, and Structured Problem Solving - sponsoring regular Kaizen events and leading value stream transformation initiatives that eliminate waste, improve flow, and increase customer responsiveness.
- Establish and maintain manufacturing systems capable of consistently achieving takt requirements while driving productivity improvements, reducing scrap, rework, and non-value-added activities, optimizing labor and material flow, managing inventory levels, and executing cost reduction initiatives that improve profitability without compromising safety or quality.
- Promote a proactive safety culture and a "Quality First" mindset across all value stream operations by ensuring full compliance with EHS regulations, aerospace quality standards, and customer specifications, while leading hazard elimination initiatives, structured root cause analysis, and partnering with Quality and Engineering to improve first-pass yield, process capability, and overall manufacturing quality performance.
- Support the planning, prioritization, and execution of capital investments and manufacturing improvement projects by partnering with Engineering and Maintenance to implement equipment, tooling, and process enhancements - ensuring all initiatives align with value stream objectives, deliver sustainable business benefits, and support future-state operational readiness.
- Lead daily production execution through structured management reviews, strong floor presence, and data-driven decision making, while coaching and developing Production Managers, Supervisors, Manufacturing Engineers, and Operations personnel through performance management, succession planning, and a culture of accountability, engagement, continuous learning, and leadership excellence.
Qualifications:- Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, Business, or other technical/STEM discipline required, Advanced degree preferred.
- Ten (10) or more years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience required.
- Previous Aerospace manufacturing experience strongly preferred.
- Experience managing assembly operations in highly regulated manufacturing environments required.
- Experience in driving operational improvements in Safety, Quality, Delivery, Inventory, and Cost performance required.
- Experience conducting or leading Kaizen events and Lean transformation initiatives highly preferred.
- Prior experience supporting defense, aerospace, or advanced manufacturing programs preferred.
- Only U.S. Citizens, Green Card holders, and political asylees or refugees are eligible to apply
#LI-PRT1
The base salary range for this position is $145,000.00 to $197,000.00, with a possibility of an annual bonus up to 20% of base salary.
PPG offers comprehensive benefits such as Health, Dental, Life, Retirement Plan, Paid Vacation & Holidays, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Disability/Leave, and other Voluntary benefit offerings. Actual benefit offerings confirmed at the time of hire.
