Aerospace Materials Operations Leader (Greenfield Startup)

PPG; Shelby (NC); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Retirement plan

Job summary

PPG in Shelby, NC is seeking an Operations Manager for Aerospace Materials to build and lead a greenfield manufacturing operation. This role focuses on safety, quality, delivery, cost, and capability, embedding an Integrated Work System aligned with best-in-class models.

The position reports to the Plant Manager and requires strong leadership, collaboration with supply chain, and a track record in startup environments with Lean/Six Sigma experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field.
• Minimum 7 years manufacturing leadership experience.
• Experience in chemical, coatings, sealants, or specialty materials manufacturing is strongly preferred.
• Greenfield/startup experience is preferred.
• Lean/Six Sigma certification preferred.
• Strong leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• US Citizens, Green Card holders, or eligible to work in the U.S. required.

Responsibilities

• Lead the startup and ramp-up of a greenfield manufacturing operation, including system development, commissioning, organization design, hiring, and workforce training.
• Champion a zero-loss culture by embedding safety as a core value and implementing proactive safety, hazard identification, and root-cause problem-solving practices.
• Establish and sustain manufacturing standards, operating procedures, visual management systems, and an integrated operating system that drives disciplined execution.
• Model servant leadership through a strong floor presence, employee engagement, coaching, mentoring, and capability development.
• Build a culture of ownership, accountability, teamwork, and continuous learning across the organization.
• Drive operational excellence through lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, loss elimination, and adherence to standard work.
• Utilize data, KPIs, and performance metrics to improve safety, quality, throughput, yield, productivity, and cost performance.
• Recruit, develop, and lead high-performing cross-functional teams, establishing clear expectations and accountability systems.
• Oversee production operations, including scheduling, material flow, inventory management, and collaboration with supply chain and planning functions.
• Deliver business results by achieving safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives while managing operational budgets and resources.

Skills

Manufacturing leadership

Lean Six Sigma

Problem solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering/operations

Job description

PPG in Shelby, NC is seeking an Operations Manager for Aerospace Materials to build and lead a greenfield manufacturing operation. This role focuses on safety, quality, delivery, cost, and capability, embedding an Integrated Work System aligned with best-in-class models.

The position reports to the Plant Manager and requires strong leadership, collaboration with supply chain, and a track record in startup environments with Lean/Six Sigma experience.