Aerospace & Defense VP of Operations

AEVEX Aerospace; Tampa (FL); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading aerospace company is seeking a VP of Operations in Tampa, FL. The ideal candidate will have 15-20 years of experience in the aerospace & defense industry, oversee production operations, and ensure quality and efficiency across multiple departments. This full-time onsite role involves travel and requires strategic leadership and management skills.

Qualifications

• Experience in aerospace & defense manufacturing with senior executive experience.
• Ability to recruit and retain talent with a culture of accountability.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Experience leading an operations organization with a minimum of 200 employees.
• Recent experience with unmanned systems production is desirable.
• Experience operating in an ISO 9001/AS9100 (or equivalent) certified facility.

Responsibilities

• Oversee Production Control and the SIOP process.
• Manage supply chain and logistics operations.
• Ensure maintenance of the Quality Management System (QMS).
• Oversee Logistics: shipping, receiving, material handling, inventory accuracy, logistics operations, and facilities management in alignment with environmental, health, and safety standards.
• Oversee Quality: ensure the Quality Management System (QMS) is maintained, identify and diagnose quality issues, implement corrective actions, and reduce escapes from internal and supplier issues.
• Oversee Manufacturing Engineering Support and related departments.
• Lead efficient cross-functional weekly meetings, gather performance updates, and manage follow-ups with relevant managers and support staff.
• Identify performance, quality, cost, and personnel issues; escalate to the SVP of Tactical Systems; pursue root-cause problem solving and implement corrective actions, including where necessary personnel changes.
• Perform other related duties as assigned; maintain regular and reliable attendance; demonstrate professional behavior with internal and external stakeholders; align actions with AEVEX values and department goals.

Skills

Cross-functional SIOP oversight

Engineering resource planning

Quality management systems

Strategic thinking

Time management

Internal audits

Corrective actions

Leadership and people development

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or operations management

Postgraduate degree in operations management or MBA

Job description

Direct message the job poster from AEVEX Aerospace

Overview

VP, Operations — This is an onsite position with occasional travel. The Vice President of Operations is accountable for achieving the financial objectives and customer satisfaction of the Tactical Systems business as it relates to production operations. This role is part of the Tactical Systems senior leadership team and reports to the Senior Vice President of the business unit.

The VP of Operations will report on key performance indicators (KPIs), drive operational excellence within the functional departments, and establish a culture of continuous improvement and accountability. The role oversees Manufacturing, Production Control, Supply Chain, Logistics, Quality Assurance, and Manufacturing Engineering Support, including their direct reports.

Responsibilities

• Oversee Production Control and the cross-functional Sales, Inventory and Operations Planning (SIOP) process, including timely issuance of production work orders, status tracking of units in production, variance analysis, and mitigation plans to recover schedule through the Production Control Manager.
• Oversee Manufacturing: hire, train, supervise, and promote production technicians; ensure work is performed according to standard work instructions, at the specified rate, quality, and labor cost within budget; manage labor planning, scheduling, time and attendance.
• Oversee Supply Chain: issue purchase order requirements, manage supplier qualification, supplier quality, vendor relations, and contracting in coordination with corporate procurement and contracting teams.
• Oversee Logistics: shipping, receiving, material handling, inventory accuracy, logistics operations, and facilities management in alignment with environmental, health, and safety standards.
• Oversee Quality: ensure the Quality Management System (QMS) is maintained, identify and diagnose quality issues, implement corrective actions, and reduce escapes from internal and supplier issues.
• Oversee Manufacturing Engineering Support and related departments.
• Lead efficient cross-functional weekly meetings, gather performance updates, and manage follow-ups with relevant managers and support staff.
• Identify performance, quality, cost, and personnel issues; escalate to the SVP of Tactical Systems; pursue root-cause problem solving and implement corrective actions, including where necessary personnel changes.
• Perform other related duties as assigned; maintain regular and reliable attendance; demonstrate professional behavior with internal and external stakeholders; align actions with AEVEX values and department goals.

Qualifications and Competencies

• 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.

Education / Certifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, operations management, or a quantitative field required.
• Postgraduate degree in operations management or MBA preferred but not required.

Experience

• 15–20 years of career experience in the aerospace & defense manufacturing industry, with recent senior executive experience.
• Experience leading an operations organization with a minimum of 200 employees.
• Recent experience with unmanned systems production is desirable.
• Experience in aviation-related prototype development and manufacturing is preferred.
• Experience operating in an ISO 9001/AS9100 (or equivalent) certified facility.

Physical Requirements

Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities. The role involves tasks such as sitting and using computers and office equipment.

Security Clearance

Not specified in the provided description.

Seniority level

• Executive

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Engineering and Manufacturing

Industries

• Airlines and Aviation; Aerospace Component Manufacturing

Note: This refined description removes extraneous sections and focuses on essential responsibilities, qualifications, and job context while keeping the original information intact.