Director of Operations

Job description

Position Summary

The Director of Operations is responsible for leading and executing all aspects of manufacturing and operational performance at Carlton Forge Works. This role has full accountability for safety, quality, delivery, productivity, cost, and employee engagement across forging and supporting operations. The Director of Operations translates business and strategic objectives into executable operating plans and drives disciplined execution through strong leadership, data‑driven management, and continuous improvement. Success in this role requires the ability to lead a complex, capital‑intensive manufacturing operation while developing people, improving processes, and ensuring compliance with aerospace, defense, and PCC standards.

Scope Of Responsibility

Forging operations and supporting manufacturing processes

Production scheduling and execution

Manufacturing support functions (maintenance, tooling, facilities)

Continuous improvement and operational excellence

Safety, quality, delivery, cost, and financial performance

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

Lead daily manufacturing operations to ensure achievement of Safety, Quality, Cost and Delivery objectives

Own and drive operational KPIs with disciplined review cadences and credible recovery plans when targets are missedEnsure execution of the business plan across daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual horizons

Provide clear direction, accountability, and prioritization across the operations organization

Safety & Compliance

Serve as a visible role model and sponsor of safety with a zero‑injury mindset

Ensure compliance with EH&S, OSHA, environmental, export control (ITAR/EAR), and PCC policies

Empower employees to identify and elevate safety risks without hesitation

Partner closely with EH&S to continuously improve safety performance and culture

Continuous Improvement

Champion Lean Manufacturing, TOC, Six Sigma, and PCC toolbox methodologies

Lead and sponsor continuous improvement events focused on yield, throughput, flow, cost, and capacity

Drive improvements in asset utilization

Foster a mindset of relentless improvement across all levels of the organization

Quality & Customer Performance

Ensure robust process control and adherence to work instructions and procedures

Partner with Quality to maintain AS9100 and customer audit readiness

Drive zero‑defect culture with strong root cause and corrective action discipline

Financial & Business Management

Own manufacturing cost structure and productivity improvement initiatives

Support budgeting, forecasting, and long‑range planning

Ensure integrity of production and cost data (labor, materials, inventory, variances)

Identify and justify capital investments; lead development of Capital Authorization Requests (CARs)

People Leadership & Development

Lead, coach, and develop operations managers, supervisors, and technical leaders

Build a strong succession pipeline and depth of talent

Conduct performance reviews, provide regular feedback, and enforce policies consistently

Promote employee engagement, ownership, and accountability

Strategic Collaboration

Partner with Engineering on process improvements, new product introduction, and manufacturability

Work closely with Supply Chain on material flow, scheduling, and supplier performance

Collaborate with Commercial teams on capacity planning and growth opportunities

Communicate effectively with senior leadership on performance, risks, and opportunities

Measures Of Success

Zero injuries and sustained world‑class safety performance

On‑time delivery and schedule adherence

Improved yield, throughput, and asset utilization

Cost reduction and margin expansion

Strong audit, compliance, and ethical performance

Engaged, capable, and developed operations leadership team

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, or Business (MBA or MS preferred)

7–10+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience

Demonstrated success leading complex manufacturing operations

Strong financial and operational acumen

Proven experience driving measurable improvement through Lean / CI methodologies

Preferred Experience

Forging, metals, aerospace, or defense manufacturing environments

PCC tools, systems, and performance culture

AS9100, NADCAP, and customer audit environments

Leadership Attributes

Decisive, disciplined, and execution‑focused

Data‑driven with strong problem‑solving skills

High integrity and ownership mindset

Comfortable operating under pressure and competing priorities

Respected leader across all levels of the organization

Reporting Relationship

Reports to: General Manager

Direct reports: Operations and Maintenance leaders

Relocation

Relocation is authorized for this position.

For informational purposes only, the range for annual base salary for this role is $170,000 to $210,000 US Dollar (USD) Salaried based on a variety of factors. For informational purposes only, this role is eligible to participate in the Company’s Executive Bonus Plan, paid out up to 30% of the applicable annual base salary, based on the Company’s performance in the prior calendar year. Employees will receive 120 hours paid time off every year. Employees will also receive 10 paid holidays. Employees (and their families) are eligible to participate in the company's medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. Employees are eligible to enroll in the Company’s 401(k) plan.

This position requires use of information or access to production processes subject to national security controls under U.S. export control laws and regulations (including, but not limited to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR)). To comply with those regulations, this position may require applicants to be U.S. Persons (i.e., U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, protected individuals as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)), or eligible to obtain the required export authorizations from the U.S. Department of State or the U.S. Department of Commerce.

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Worksite address

paramount, CA, 90723, US

Who can apply

Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.