Aerospace Operations Manager

PPG Industries (UK) Limited; Mojave (CA); On-site; USD 175,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental and Life insurance

Retirement Plan

Paid Vacation & Holidays

Employee Assistance Program

Disability/Leave benefits

Voluntary benefit offerings

Job summary

PPG Industries (UK) Limited is hiring an Operations Manager for its aerospace sealants facility in Mojave, California. This fully onsite position includes overseeing production operations, ensuring safety and quality compliance, and leading a large team. Ideal candidates will have over 10 years of experience in manufacturing, at least 5 years in a leadership role, and a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field. The base salary is competitive, with comprehensive benefits including health insurance and paid vacation.

Qualifications

• At least 10 years of manufacturing operations experience.
• Minimum 5 years of leadership experience in a manufacturing setting.
• Six Sigma Black Belt or Green Belt certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily manufacturing operations of aerospace sealants.
• Implement production schedules to meet customer demands.
• Ensure compliance with safety and environmental regulations.
• Lead quality assurance initiatives and resolve quality issues.
• Drive lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

Manufacturing operations experience

Leadership in a manufacturing environment

Six Sigma certification

Chemical and aerospace materials knowledge

QAP or ERP systems experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

Job description

PPG's Aerospace Business is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to oversee day‑to‑day operations of our large‑scale aerospace sealants manufacturing facility in Mojave, California. The position is fully onsite and reports to the Plant Manager.

Key Responsibilities

• Production Management
  • Oversee all manufacturing operations including mixing, blending, filling, and packaging of aerospace grade sealants.
  • Develop and implement production schedules to meet customer demand and delivery commitments.
  • Monitor and improve production metrics, throughput, yield, quality, and efficiency.
  • Coordinate with planning and supply chain teams to optimize material flow and inventory levels.
  • Ensure compliance with SOPs and all quality control standards.
  • Manage and lead a team of production engineers and technicians.
• Safety & Environmental Compliance
  • Champion safety culture and ensure compliance with OSHA, EPA, and local environmental regulations.
  • Lead safety initiatives and maintain excellent safety performance metrics.
  • Oversee hazardous material handling and waste management programs.
  • Conduct regular safety audits and implement corrective actions.
  • Ensure proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and safety protocols.
• Quality Assurance
  • Maintain product quality standards and specifications.
  • Collaborate with Q/C teams to resolve quality issues timely.
  • Implement continuous improvement initiatives to enhance product quality.
  • Ensure compliance with AS9100 and customer‑specific quality requirements across the manufacturing process.
• Team Leadership & Development
  • Lead and develop 50–100+ manufacturing personnel including engineers, supervisors, operators, and technicians.
  • Provide coaching, mentoring, and performance management.
  • Foster a culture of continuous improvement and employee engagement.
  • Conduct regular team meetings and communication sessions.
  • Manage staffing levels and overtime to meet production requirements.
• Operational Excellence
  • Drive lean manufacturing principles and continuous‑improvement initiatives.
  • Identify and implement cost‑reduction opportunities.
  • Optimize equipment utilization and minimize downtime.
  • Lead root‑cause analysis and corrective action implementation.
  • Develop and track key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration
  • Partner with Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, Supply Chain, and R&D teams.
  • Coordinate with Sales and Customer Service on delivery commitments.
  • Support new product introductions and process improvements.
  • Participate in capital project planning and implementation.

Qualifications

• Only US Citizens, Green card holders, political asylum seekers, or refugees are eligible to apply.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Operations Management, or related field.
• 10+ years of manufacturing operations experience.
• 5+ years of leadership experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Six Sigma Black Belt or Green Belt certification preferred.
• Experience with chemical or aerospace materials manufacturing, exposure to sealants, coatings, paints, or similar process industries.
• Experience with QAP or similar ERP systems.

The base salary range for this position is $175,000–$200,000, with a possibility of an annual bonus up to 20% of base salary. PPG offers comprehensive benefits such as Health, Dental, Life, Retirement Plan, Paid Vacation & Holidays, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Disability/Leave, and other voluntary benefit offerings.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

PPG offers equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees and does not discriminate on the basis of sex, pregnancy, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression. Qualified applicants who require accommodation due to a disability may email [e-mail]. PPG considers various factors when determining compensation, including skills, experience, training, qualifications, education, licenses, certifications, and other organizational needs.