Leonardo DRS

Senior Manager Operations

Leonardo DRS$110K — $130K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in operations management, engineering, business, supply chain, or related field; advanced degree preferred.
  • Progressive leadership experience in manufacturing, operations, production, or supply chain, preferably in regulated industries like defense or aerospace.
  • Demonstrated success in leading complex manufacturing operations and improving safety, quality, cost, and delivery outcomes.
  • Strong experience with Lean manufacturing, continuous improvement principles, and operational-performance metrics.
  • Proven ability to lead through change, solve complex problems, and foster cross-functional alignment.
  • Strong business acumen, communication skills, and executive presence.
  • Experience with ERP/MRP systems and production planning, along with support for U.S. Navy or federal programs.

Responsibilities

  • Lead and develop cross-functional operational teams to enhance manufacturing effectiveness.
  • Drive the on-time, on-budget delivery of naval power products and programs.
  • Establish and execute plans to improve throughput, labor utilization, and inventory management.
  • Champion a culture focused on safety, quality, accountability, and continuous improvement.
  • Apply Lean and Six Sigma tools to eliminate waste and enhance operational performance.
  • Collaborate with program management and engineering to ensure production readiness and align resources.
  • Utilize data-driven performance management to identify risks and implement improvements.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
  • Company contributions to a health savings account and telemedicine options.
  • Life and disability insurance, along with legal insurance.
  • 401(k) savings plan with competitive employer contributions.
  • Wellness programs focusing on physical, emotional, and financial well-being.
  • Flexible work schedules through a 9/80 program, allowing for better work-life balance.
  • Paid parental leave and community service hours.
Full Job Description
Job ID: 115492

Job Summary

We are seeking an accomplished, hands-on Senior Manager, Operations to lead manufacturing and operational execution of a Product Line at our Menomonee Falls, WI facility. In this highly visible leadership role, you will guide teams that produce reliable, high-performance power and energy solutions supporting the U.S. Navy and allied defense customers.

This is an opportunity to lead in an environment where quality, schedule, cost, and mission assurance matter every day. You will bring strategic operational leadership and a continuous improvement mindset to build a safe, accountable, and high-performing organization capable of delivering complex products at the speed and standard our customers expect.

What You Will Do

As the Senior Manager, Operations, you will lead day-to-day manufacturing and operational performance while building the capabilities needed for sustained growth. You will:
  • Lead and develop cross-functional operations teams across manufacturing, production control, materials, quality, engineering, and supply chain partners.
  • Drive safe, on-time, and on-budget delivery of complex naval power products and programs.
  • Establish and execute operating plans that improve throughput, capacity, labor utilization, inventory performance, and schedule attainment.
  • Champion a culture of safety, quality, accountability, and continuous improvement.
  • Apply Lean, Six Sigma, and other operational-excellence tools to eliminate waste, reduce cycle time, and improve first-pass yield.
  • Partner with program management and engineering to align production readiness, resource plans, and customer commitments.
  • Use data-driven performance management to identify risks, resolve constraints, and deliver measurable improvements.
  • Ensure compliance with applicable quality systems, export controls, environmental health and safety requirements, and defense-industry standards.
  • Develop frontline leaders and build a strong talent pipeline through coaching, performance management, and succession planning.
  • Communicate operational priorities, performance, and risk clearly to senior leadership and key stakeholders.


Education & Experience Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree in operations management, engineering, business, supply chain, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
  • Significant progressive leadership experience in manufacturing, operations, production, or supply chain - preferably in defense, aerospace, marine, industrial, or other highly regulated environments.
  • Demonstrated success leading complex manufacturing operations and delivering improvements in safety, quality, cost, delivery, and productivity.
  • Strong experience with Lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, and operational-performance metrics.
  • Proven ability to lead through change, solve complex problems, and build alignment across functions.
  • Strong business acumen, communication skills, and executive presence.
  • Experience working with ERP/MRP systems, production planning, capacity management, and materials flow.
  • Experience supporting U.S. Navy, Department of Defense, or other federal programs.
  • Lean Six Sigma certification or equivalent continuous-improvement credentials.
  • Experience with earned value, program execution, or government-contract manufacturing environments.
  • Familiarity with ISO, AS9100, or comparable quality-management systems.


At our Menomonee Falls operation, your work will have a direct impact on systems that help power and protect naval missions around the world. You will join a collaborative team that values technical excellence, operational discipline, and people leadership - and gives leaders the visibility and authority to make meaningful improvements.

If you are a mission-focused operations leader who thrives on building strong teams and delivering results in complex environments, we invite you to apply.

U.S. Citizenship required.

Taking care of our people is a top priority at Leonardo DRS. We are proud to offer competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, a company contribution to a health savings account, telemedicine, life and disability insurance, legal insurance, and a 401(k) savings plan. We champion wellness programs that focus on physical, emotional, and financial well-being. We develop our talent by offering programs and activities to support career-growth, professional development, and skill enhancement. And we understand there is more to life than work, and the importance of offering flexible work schedules with our 9/80 program, competitive vacation, health/emergency leave, paid parental leave, and community service hours.

#NPS

About Leonardo DRS

Leonardo DRS is a leading supplier of integrated products, services and support to military forces, intelligence agencies and prime contractors worldwide. Focused on defense technology, we develop, manufacture and support a broad range of systems for mission critical and military sustainment requirements, as well as homeland security. Headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, the Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Leonardo S.p.A. which employs more than 45,000 people worldwide. We offer a competitive compensation package and a business culture that rewards performance. For additional information on Leonardo DRS, please visit our website at www.leonardodrs.com.
Learn more about Leonardo DRS
Size
11,000 employees
Market Cap
$3.1 billion
Industry
Founded
1968
5 Year Trend
+55.7%
NASDAQ

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