Aerospace & Defense Operations Executive Leader

AEVEX Aerospace; Tampa (FL); On-site; USD 250,000 - 360,000; Full time

Job summary

AEVEX Aerospace is seeking an experienced VP of Operations to lead the Tactical Systems production operations onsite in Tampa, FL, with occasional travel. You will drive performance across Manufacturing, Production Control, Supply Chain, Logistics, Quality Assurance, and Manufacturing Engineering Support, reporting to the SVP of Tactical Systems.

The role requires 15–20 years in aerospace/defense manufacturing with senior executive experience and a track record of improving cost, schedule, and

Qualifications

• Experience overseeing cross-functional SIOP, engineering resource planning and scheduling, new product development, production introduction, quality management systems, internal audits, and corrective actions.
• Experience scaling and executing operations/engineering functions for government/military contracts, defense acquisitions, procurement contracts, or foreign military sales.
• Strong time management, organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills; attention to detail; ability to cope with stress and competing priorities.
• Strategic thinking with ability to lead and influence, develop people and organizational strategy, and drive change and improvements.
• Ability to recruit and retain talent; promote a culture of accountability and engagement.
• Maintains transparent communication through department meetings, one-on-one meetings, and appropriate written communications.

Responsibilities

• Oversee Production Control and SIOP process, issue work orders, track production status, analyze variances, and implement recovery plans.
• Oversee Manufacturing: hire, train, supervise, and evaluate production technicians; ensure adherence to standard work and budgeted costs.
• Oversee Supply Chain: manage PO requirements, supplier qualification, quality, vendor relations, and contracting in coordination with procurement.
• Oversee Logistics: shipping, receiving, inventory accuracy, and facilities management in line with EH&S standards.
• Oversee Quality: maintain QMS, diagnose quality issues, implement corrective actions, reduce escapes.
• Oversee Manufacturing Engineering Support and related departments.
• Lead cross-functional weekly meetings, collect performance updates, and follow up with managers.
• Identify performance, quality, cost, and personnel issues; escalate to SVP and drive root-cause corrections.

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

Strategic thinking

People development

Communication skills

Change management

Executive presence

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering/operations management/quantitative field

MBA preferred (operations management)

Tools

ISO 9001/AS9100 knowledge

Job description

AEVEX Aerospace is seeking an experienced VP of Operations to lead the Tactical Systems production operations onsite in Tampa, FL, with occasional travel. You will drive performance across Manufacturing, Production Control, Supply Chain, Logistics, Quality Assurance, and Manufacturing Engineering Support, reporting to the SVP of Tactical Systems.

The role requires 15–20 years in aerospace/defense manufacturing with senior executive experience and a track record of improving cost, schedule, and