POSITION SUMMARY

We are seeking an experienced and results-driven Operations Manager to lead manufacturing operations at a large aerospace and defense components manufacturing plant in Nogales, Sonora with 800+ employees . The facility produces high-reliability connectors and interconnect solutions in a low-volume / high-mix manufacturing environment supporting demanding aerospace and defense customers.

The Operations Manager will be responsible for overseeing production, manufacturing engineering coordination, planning, and operational performance , ensuring safe, efficient, and compliant operations while meeting stringent quality, delivery, and cost objectives required by aerospace and defense standards. This role requires a strong operational leader with experience managing complex manufacturing environments, high product variation, and strict regulatory and quality requirements .

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Manufacturing Operations Leadership

- Lead daily manufacturing operations across multiple production areas to ensure on-time delivery, productivity, and operational efficiency .
- Manage production teams, supervisors, and support staff within an 800+ employee manufacturing organization .
- Ensure effective execution of production plans in a low-volume / high-mix environment with frequent product changeovers.
- Drive accountability for operational performance including Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and Inventory (SQDCI) metrics.

Production Planning & Execution

- Collaborate closely with production planning, supply chain, and engineering to ensure capacity alignment and realistic production schedules.
- Optimize manufacturing flow, labor utilization, and equipment effectiveness to meet customer demand.




- Support new product introductions (NPI) and engineering changes while maintaining production continuity.

Continuous Improvement

- Lead Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and Operational Excellence initiatives to improve productivity, reduce waste, and enhance throughput.
- Implement structured problem-solving methodologies (A3, Root Cause Analysis, 8D).
- Identify and drive initiatives to improve OEE, cycle time, scrap reduction, and labor productivity .

Quality & Compliance

- Ensure compliance with aerospace and defense quality standards , including AS9100 and customer-specific requirements.
- Work closely with Quality and Engineering teams to maintain high reliability standards expected for aerospace connectors.
- Support internal and external audits and drive corrective actions when necessary.

Safety & Workforce Leadership

- Promote a strong safety-first culture across all operations and ensure compliance with all safety and environmental regulations.
- Lead, develop, and mentor a large operations team including supervisors and production leaders.
- Foster a culture of accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement throughout the organization.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

- Partner with Supply Chain, Engineering, Quality, Maintenance, and Finance to achieve plant-level performance targets.
- Support capacity planning, capital investments,



and operational strategy initiatives.
- Contribute to plant P&L; performance through cost management and operational efficiencies.

QUALIFICATIONS

- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, or related field .
- 10+ years of progressive manufacturing operations experience , preferably within aerospace, defense, or high-reliability electronics manufacturing .
- 5+ years of leadership experience managing large manufacturing teams in complex environments.
- Experience operating in low-volume / high-mix production environments .
- Strong understanding of Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, and operational performance systems .
- Experience working within regulated quality environments such as AS9100, ISO 9001, or similar .
- Proven ability to drive improvements in productivity, delivery performance, and operational efficiency .
- Bilingual English and Spanish strongly preferred.

Key Competencies

- Strong operational leadership and team development
- Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement mindset
- Data-driven decision making
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Strategic execution with hands‑on operational management
- Ability to manage complexity in high-mix manufacturing environments
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills

Preferred Experience

- Aerospace connectors, cable assemblies, or precision electromechanical products
- Experience supporting aerospace OEMs and defense customers
- Experience managing operations in large maquiladora manufacturing environments
- Six Sigma certification or Lean Manufacturing training

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📌 Operations Manager (Heroica Nogales)
🏢 Optima Organizational Solutions
📍 Heroica Nogales