Operations Manager – Aerospace Materials

Shelby, NC

Are you a passionate and driven Operations Professional who is looking to take their career to new heights? Then look no further than this opportunity with PPG's Aerospace business! We are looking for someone who can see the future of aviation specialty chemicals and take our exceptional products to the next level!

This leader will build and lead a world-class manufacturing operation from the ground up, establishing and sustaining a high-performance culture rooted in servant leadership, total employee ownership, and a zero-loss mindset. The Operations Manager will drive safety, quality, delivery, cost, and capability while embedding an Integrated Work System aligned with best-in-class models such as P&G. This hands‑on, floor‑focused coach develops people, builds systems, and ensures disciplined execution of standard work in a greenfield specialty chemical manufacturing environment.

Location:

On‑Site, Shelby, NC facility. Reports to the Plant Manager.

• Lead the startup and ramp‑up of a greenfield manufacturing operation, including system development, commissioning, organization design, hiring, and workforce training.
• Champion a zero‑loss culture by embedding safety as a core value and implementing proactive safety, hazard identification, and root‑cause problem‑solving practices.
• Establish and sustain manufacturing standards, operating procedures, visual management systems, and an integrated operating system that drives disciplined execution.
• Model servant leadership through a strong floor presence, employee engagement, coaching, mentoring, and capability development.
• Build a culture of ownership, accountability, teamwork, and continuous learning across the organization.
• Drive operational excellence through lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, loss elimination, and adherence to standard work.
• Utilize data, KPIs, and performance metrics to improve safety, quality, throughput, yield, productivity, and cost performance.
• Recruit, develop, and lead high‑performing cross‑functional teams, establishing clear expectations and accountability systems.
• Oversee production operations, including scheduling, material flow, inventory management, and collaboration with supply chain and planning functions.
• Deliver business results by achieving safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives while managing operational budgets and resources.

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, operations, or related field or commensurate experience required.
• Minimum 7 years’ manufacturing leadership experience required.
• Experience in chemical, coatings, sealants, or specialty materials manufacturing is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success in greenfield or startup environments preferred.
• Lean/Six Sigma certification preferred.
• Strong leadership, problem‑solving, and communication skills required.
• Only U.S. Citizens, Green Card holders, and political asylees or refugees are eligible to apply.

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.

PPG provides equal opportunity to all candidates and employees. We offer an opportunity to grow and develop your career in an environment that provides a fulfilling workplace for employees, creates an environment for continuous learning, and embraces the ideas and diversity of others. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, pregnancy, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, age, disability status, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.

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