VP, Global Manufacturing Operations

Worker Type

Regular

The Vice President of Global Manufacturing Operations is a pivotal leader at Aero Vironment, responsible for the strategic and operational oversight of the company's global manufacturing operations. This role requires development and deployment of an Aero Vironment production system that enables successful transitions of developing products and production processes into full scale production and ensuring optimal operational and financial performance. This leader must align core manufacturing operational functions across multiple regions, ensuring the integration of Aero Vironment’s global strategies, and driving synergies between regions and segments.

This leadership role involves seamless coordination with other leadership team members in sourcing, demand planning, inventory management, production, quality management, assurance and control, repair and overhaul, while ensuring that global operations align with the company’s goals of operational excellence and continuous improvement. The VP will work closely with stakeholders across all business segments, ensuring that global strategies are harmonized with broader corporate objectives.

The successful candidate will manage the Lean and Continuous Improvement as well as central the Advanced Manufacturing Development Team, developing and implementing those teams’ global strategies. They will also lead efforts to identify operational inefficiencies, work with stakeholders to develop solutions, and implement innovations that foster global operational growth. They will drive data analysis, solution design, and verification to ensure that global operational needs are consistently met.

• Global Leadership in Demand Planning and SIOP: Lead Aero Vironment’s global demand planning and SIOP (Sales, Inventory, and Operations Planning) processes to ensure delivery precision to support are customer needs. Collaborate with regional leaders to align operational strategies with the company's global goals, particularly focusing across all segments of the business.

• Supporting Manufacturing Leadership: Provide support to global manufacturing operations within the Uncrewed Systems, Loitering Munitions Segment and Space and Directed Energy segments, ensuring seamless integration of these business areas with Aero Vironment's overall operational goals. Develop and execute operational plans that meet both global and market-specific demands while ensuring the highest standards of performance and efficiency.

• Supporting Operational Functions: Work in close coordination with other VPs in the Global Operations office, including the Supply Chain, Quality, and EH&S leadership teams. Lead cross-functional and cross-segment teams to design, implement, and continuously improve global manufacturing and operations processes. Work closely with Aero Vironment’s leadership to ensure that global operations strategies are aligned with corporate goals and initiatives are fully integrated into the broader operational framework.

• Continuous Improvement and Innovation: Manage the Lean and Industrial Engineering function including developing the Global strategy and supporting materials to foster a culture of continuous improvement and directly supporting the business to identify and drive out waste in our processes. Drive continuous improvement efforts across global operations by evaluating new technologies and implementing industry best practices. Identify and capitalize on opportunities to enhance operational efficiency, reduce costs, and improve performance metrics across the global supply chain.

• Lean/Visual Factory and MRP Optimization: Lead efforts to implement Lean/Visual Factory techniques and optimize MRP (Material Requirements Planning) processes across all global facilities. Ensure that Aero Vironment’s global operations are leveraging the latest in Lean methodologies to drive efficiency, reduce waste, and improve operational effectiveness across regions.

• Advanced Manufacturing: Develop and implement a strategy to utilize the latest advances in science and technology to insure Aero Vironment is utilizing modern…