Operations Manager

Location: On‑Site, Glendale, CA

Join a mission‑driven aerospace supplier fueling the future of critical systems. You will lead all facets of site operations and be the hands‑on driver of performance, quality, and culture. You will have direct impact, visibility to leadership, and the ability to build the foundation for scalable growth. This is not a spectator role — you will roll up your sleeves, lead change, and own results.

What’s in It for You

• Competitive base salary DOE with quarterly performance bonus (up to ~6 % of salary)
• Comprehensive benefits: medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k) match
• Tuition assistance / reimbursement with progressive PTO & vacation accrual
• Opportunity for visible influence, growth, and leadership development
• Culture of loyalty, long tenures, and deep employee engagement

What You’ll Be Doing

• Lead end‑to‑end manufacturing operations (forging, machining, threading, finishing, inspection) to ensure delivery, cost, and quality goals are met
• Instill and sustain Lean / Continuous Improvement practices (5S, Kaizen, SMED, value stream mapping) to reduce waste and elevate productivity
• Design, monitor, and manage KPIs across Safety, Quality, Cost & Delivery (SQCD)
• Coach, mentor, and lead production supervisors and frontline staff, instituting performance management and development frameworks
• Implement cross‑training initiatives to boost flexibility and mitigate bottlenecks
• Drive process improvement events, root cause analyses, and continuous improvement efforts
• Collaborate with Quality & Engineering on audits, validations, corrective actions, and compliance (e.g. AS9100, NADCAP)
• Partner with Supply Chain / Procurement to align materials flow, outsource processes, and vendor performance
• Oversee safety, compliance, and environmental processes on the shop floor
• Lead daily ops meetings, planning sessions, resource allocation, and capital/tooling investment decisions
• Manage operations cost, budgets, and capital requests

Key Qualifications & Skills

• 7‑10+ years in operational leadership in a regulated manufacturing environment (aerospace, defense, precision components)
• Hands‑on understanding of precision manufacturing: forging, grinding, threading, coatings, inspection
• Track record managing multi‑shift operations and leading supervisors & shop floor teams
• Deep experience applying Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement tools
• Working knowledge of AS9100, NADCAP, or equivalently rigorous systems
• Experience with ERP/MES systems (scheduling, MRP, production tracking)
• Bilingual English / Spanish (essential for workforce communication)
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Industrial, or Manufacturing Engineering preferred
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills
• Ability to handle an early start schedule (plant begins operations early)

About Blue Signal:  

Blue Signal is an award-winning, executive search firm specializing in various specialties. Our recruiters have a proven track record of placing top-tier talent across industry verticals, with deep expertise in numerous professional services. Learn more at bit.ly/46Gs4yS