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 AS**** 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
AS****, ISO ****, 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
#J-*****-Ljbffr

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