Operations Programs Manager

Location: US-CA-FAIRFIELD-3530 ~ 3530 Branscombe Rd ~ BRANSCOMBE

Date Posted:

Country: United States of America

Position Role Type: Onsite

U.S. Citizen Requirement: U.S. citizenship is required for access under this program/contract

Security Clearance: None/Not Required

Collins Aerospace is seeking an Operations Program Manager (OPM) to work onsite at its Fairfield, CA facility. In this role, you will be an operations leader responsible for owning manufacturing readiness and operational performance outcomes across assigned programs and value streams. Operating within the RTX Lifecycle Program Management (RLPM) framework, this role serves as the primary Operations focal point to ensure predictable delivery of quality, cost, and schedule commitments.

The OPM works through cross‑functional teams and manufacturing leadership to proactively identify risks, align priorities, and drive systemic execution, without performing day‑to‑day production coordination or direct shop floor supervision. You will work independently with minimal oversight, influence decisions within a matrixed organization, and partner closely with Program Management, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Manufacturing to deliver operational excellence.

As an employee at Collins Aerospace‑Fairfield, safety is an expectation. Employees are expected to work safely, follow all safety rules, requirements, procedures, and instructions always. You are expected to actively participate in the safety program and be mindful of your safety and the safety of others. You are expected to complete all safety training in a timely manner.

• Safeguard manufacturing performance outcomes (quality, schedule, cost, productivity) across assigned programs and value streams; create production build plans in accordance with customer requirements, production cell capacity, manufacturing procedures, and acceptance test plans.
• Lead cross‑functional resolution of material, capacity, and logistics issues; collaborate with supply chain, SIOP, quality, engineering, production coordination, and finance teams to identify risks and develop plans that support the program.
• Act as the Operations focal point for New Product Introduction (NPI) and cold‑start programs.
• Participate in and support RLPM gate reviews from concept through production transition (Gate D – Production Readiness).
• Establish and enforce production readiness criteria aligned to safety, quality, cost, and schedule objectives.
• Create, communicate, and drive adherence to Production Gate C – Start Up.
• Audit and ensure completion of quality‑related documentation and compliance with applicable standards.
• Identify risks, gaps, and improvement opportunities impacting operational performance.
• Develop and execute cost reduction and process improvement initiatives.
• Lead corrective actions and action plans tied to productivity, yield, and efficiency.
• Facilitate integrated scheduling activities through Production Planning to align the master production schedule to program needs.
• Escalate risks when schedules, capacity, or materials threaten delivery.
• Drive recovery plans when schedules slip.
• Identify, communicate, and mitigate operational risks to program plans.
• Influence decisions within a matrixed organization and drive accountability to outcomes.
• Interface with Program Management, Engineering, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, and internal customers.

• Typically requires a university degree and at least 8 years of prior relevant experience, or an advanced degree in a related field and at least 5 years of experience.
• U.S. citizenship is required for access to this program/contract.
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) access.
• Experience in Program Management in an operations or manufacturing environment.

• Project management experience.
• Experience developing an integrated master schedule (IMS).
• Leading or participating in producibility improvement projects.
• Generating line of balance.
• Fundamental knowledge of steps to product development.
• Performing make‑vs‑buy analysis or make‑where analysis.
• Experience developing supply or material…