Director, Operations - Aerospace & Defense Industry

Our Company: C/A Design is part of the Heico Companies, and in the aggregate, Heico’s businesses generate more than $3.2 billion in revenues. C/A Design is a global leader in innovative thermal management solutions for a diverse range of markets. Building on over four decades of leadership and experience, C/A Design manufactures and sells thermal management products that remove excess heat generated by electronic components.

Our Mission: Our businesses have made an all-encompassing commitment across all levels of the organization to never sacrifice safety. Deliver industry-leading quality, and on-time delivery while providing an exceptional customer experience. Position ourselves as a leader in the industry through technological advancements and supply chain excellence. Promote a culture of success and excellence through collaboration, accountability, transformative, and shared belief in our vision.

Summary:

Our industry-leading thermal design solutions organization is seeking an experienced, top performing Director of Operations to oversee plant activities at our Raleigh, NC manufacturing facility.  The successful candidate will provide leadership and guidance to the organization in support of company vision and goals. The Director of Operations will possess strong leadership qualities with a driven focus on delivering positive financial metrics and overall plant performance.  This is a high visibility role within our organization that reports directly to the President.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Strive towards a culture of proactive safety.
• Foster a culture of proactive safety, continually demonstrate an unequivocal commitment to the highest standard of health and safety for the workforce.
• As a leader, build a culture of integrity and openness. Exemplify the highest standard of conduct and ethical behavior.
• Drive site level strategic initiatives to promote revenue, profitability and growth.
• Direct and oversee key facility personnel to ensure production efficiency, quality, service, and cost-effective management of resources to meet on-time delivery & quality goals and overall company financial objectives.
• Communicate Key Performance Indicators to entire workforce and drive to those metrics on a daily/monthly/quarterly basis.
• Partner with EH&S leadership to enforce and cascade ‘work safe’ culture throughout plant.
• Liaise with Human Resources leadership to ensure compliance and corporate driven objectives are met.
• Oversee inventory and support finance & accounting team with Segment level initiatives.
• Embrace 5S methodologies in support of lean, world class facility standards.
• Interface with customers and represent the facility as needed.
• Uphold and remain in compliance with facility ISO certification, AS 9100 & support efforts towards ITAR/NIST & CMMC compliance.
• Exemplify the core values of the organization through leadership and action, while being an active participant of the C/A Design executive leadership team.

REQUIREMENTS:

• BS Degree in an Engineering discipline, MBA or advanced degree highly desirable.
• 15+ years in Manufacturing leadership role (CNC Fabrication, machine shop experience is a must)
• Lean certification – Black belt preferred with proven track record of concept implementation.
• Plant relocation experience highly desirable and preferred – upcoming 2027 plant relocation within 20 miles of existing site.
• Progressive career that reflects challenges being met, drive, ambition, and leadership capabilities.
• Relative experience or exposure from the Defense and/or Aerospace industry.
• Proven track record of success in strategic planning and execution within a similar sized organization.
• Skill in examining and re-engineering operations and procedures and pivoting as needed to change direction in support of company objectives and goals.
• Ability to communicate, interact, and work effectively with staff of all levels and to motivate and mentor teams.
• Professional written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills; ability to develop and deliver presentations to the highest level of an organization.
• Exceptional technical capabilities to include ERP/MRP & MS Office.

COMPETENCIES:

• Building effective teams
• Customer focus
• Drive for results
• Managing with vision and purpose
• Strategic agility

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk and sit. The employee will use hands to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls, reach with hands and arms, climb stairs, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, talk or hear.  The employee is frequently required to sit and to use a computer keyboard with mouse for long periods of time. The employee will occasionally lift and/or move 25 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Office, Plant, Warehouse or Remote locations:

Work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  While performing the duties of this job in the Plant or Warehouse, the employee is exposed to noise and aluminum particles. The noise level is usually moderate but hearing protection may be required in designated areas. The employee is required to wear safety glasses when in the plant. Conditions in remote locations vary, depending on the job requirements.