Operations Manager

Operations Manager (Project Management)

Location:

Overland Park, United States of America Thales people architect solutions that are relied upon to deliver operational advantage at every decisive moment throughout the mission. Defence and armed forces customers rely on us to deliver the full range of defensive systems for land, sea, and air. From early warning, to threat neutralisation, our platforms cover all levels from very short-range systems, to extended protection across the entire battle-space including Airspace Mobility Solutions, Vehicles and Tactical Systems and Missile Defence, Optronics, and Radar.

Overland Park, KS (Fully Onsite)

Thales is looking for an Operations Manager
, whose role is to serve as a senior operational leader responsible for driving process improvement, operational efficiency, and business performance initiatives across complex, cross-functional environments. This role operates with a broad organizational mandate to evaluate business operations, identify improvement opportunities, and implement scalable solutions that enhance organizational effectiveness, optimize performance, and support long-term strategic objectives.

In this position, you will lead moderately complex to complex operational initiatives focused on process optimization, business system enhancements, operational planning, and performance measurement. Leveraging advanced analytical methodologies, project management expertise, and continuous improvement principles, you will deliver operational strategies that strengthen business performance, improve cross-functional collaboration, and support enterprise transformation initiatives. You will work closely with leaders across Operations, Engineering, Finance, IT, and Supply Chain to align operational priorities, establish reporting frameworks, improve business processes, and drive sustainable operational excellence, while providing strategic guidance on governance matters and escalating enterprise-level decisions to senior leadership as appropriate.

• US - CUI Regulatory Compliance Requirement - Must be a US Person as defined in applicable law.

• Lead cross-functional operational improvement initiatives by evaluating business processes, workflows, and systems to identify inefficiencies, mitigate operational risks, and implement scalable solutions that enhance organizational performance.
• Analyze operational data, business trends, and key performance indicators (KPIs) to develop actionable recommendations that support strategic planning, resource optimization, and informed business decision-making.
• Drive business transformation and process improvement projects by leading requirements gathering, workflow analysis, solution evaluation, implementation coordination, and post-implementation performance assessments.
• Partner with stakeholders across Operations, Engineering, Finance, Supply Chain, and IT to align operational priorities, resolve process challenges, and ensure successful execution of enterprise initiatives.
• Develop and maintain operational reporting frameworks, dashboards, and executive-level presentations that communicate business performance, project status, operational insights, and continuous improvement opportunities.
• Champion a culture of continuous improvement by standardizing processes, supporting organizational change initiatives, ensuring compliance with company policies and quality standards, and leveraging industry best practices to improve operational effectiveness.

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Information Systems, Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field required.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in operations, process improvement, business systems, project management, or a related operational support function.
• Demonstrated experience leading operational improvement initiatives, process optimization efforts, and cross-functional business projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to evaluate operational data, identify trends, and develop…