VP, Global Manufacturing Operations

Job Description

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 while ensuring optimal operational and financial performance.

Worker Type

Regular

Position Responsibilities

• 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 customer needs.
• 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 with overall operational goals.
• Supporting Operational Functions:
  Work in close coordination with other VPs in the Global Operations office, including Supply Chain, Quality, and EH&S leadership teams; lead cross‑functional teams to design, implement, and continuously improve global manufacturing and operations processes.
• Continuous Improvement and Innovation:
  Manage the Lean and Industrial Engineering function; develop global strategy, support materials, and drive out waste in processes.
• Lean/Visual Factory and MRP Optimization:
  Lead efforts to implement Lean/Visual Factory techniques and optimize MRP processes across all global facilities.
• Advanced Manufacturing:
  Develop and implement a strategy to utilize the latest advances in science and technology to ensure world‑class manufacturing processes with high ROI.
• High‑Performance Global Team Leadership:
  Build and lead a high‑performance global operations team, fostering collaboration, accountability, and a culture of excellence.
• Budget Management and Financial Efficiency:
  Develop and manage global operational budgets; ensure financial operations align with business goals.
• Other duties as assigned.

Key Metrics

• Safety:
  Recordable Incident Rate, Job Hazard Risk Reduction
• Quality:
  Out‑of‑Box Failures, First Pass Yield, Customer Returns
• Delivery:
  On‑Time Delivery
• Cost:
  Kaizen Savings, Productivity Improvement
• Lead time:
  Manufacturing Lead Time Reduction
• Inventory:
  Inventory Turns

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

• Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Mechanical, Industrial Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent education, training, and experience).
• Advanced degree (MBA or MS) highly preferred.
• Experienced/trained in Lean/Six‑Sigma practices;
  Six Sigma Black Belt certification desirable.
• 15+ years of relevant experience.
• Minimum of 10 years in a leadership role.

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong analytical, critical‑thinking, and interpersonal skills; persuasive communicator.
• Experience working with cross‑functional teams and building trusted relationships.
• Visionary thinking, adaptability, and decision‑making under varying circumstances.
• Inspirational leader who empowers employees and delivers organizational goals.
• Champion of change and culture of rapid adaptation.
• Ownership and responsibility for assigned tasks.
• Commitment to learning, improvement, and performance enhancement.
• Team‑focused, putting team success above personal interests.

Physical Demands

• Ability to sit, stand, stoop, reach, lift (up to 10 lbs.), bend, and use hand/wrist dexterity to operate a computer.
• May require travel to sites/programs and special functions.

Environmental Conditions Critical to Performance

• Work in an office environment, climate controlled via central air conditioning/heating.
• May involve exposure to outside environments while traveling.

Special Requirements

• U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (Green Card holder), or asylee/refugee status per 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).
• Must be able to travel within the Continental U.S. and internationally when required.

Clearance Level

No Clearance

Salary Range For This Role Is

$220,000 - $288,750

ITAR Requirement

This position requires access to information…