Director of Operations

The-Gill-Corporation; El Monte (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

The Gill Corporation, a leading manufacturer of aerospace materials, is seeking a Director of Operations in California to lead daily operations and drive long-term growth. You will oversee production, safety, quality, and cross-functional teams to meet on-time delivery and performance targets.

The successful candidate will hold a technical degree, 10+ years in manufacturing leadership, and strong analytical and communication skills; MBA is preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related technical field; MBA preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive growth.
• Strong communication and people-management skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and accountability for operational teams.
• Drive cross-functional alignment and continuous improvement.
• Lead safety and quality programs; reduce scrap and non-conformances.
• Manage on-time delivery, production targets, and revenue support.
• Oversee budget control and process improvements including automation.
• Develop KPIs and lead TPM/6S and lean initiatives.
• Strategic capital planning and workforce planning.
• Perform other duties and assigned.

Skills

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Operational performance

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Lean Manufacturing

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/technical field

MBA or other advanced degree preferred

Tools

SAP ERP

Job description

Who we are:The Gill Corporation is one of the world's largest manufacturers of honeycomb, high performance floor panels, cargo compartment liners and original equipment for passenger and freighter aircraft. The company also excels in many other types of reinforced plastics including interior sandwich panels for creating structures such as aircraft galleys and bulkheads, honeycomb core and related products.The Gill Corporation is seeking a Director of Operations who will report directly to the Chief Operating Officer (COO). As a key member of the leadership team, this individual will oversee the organization's daily operations, drive long-term operational excellence, and support profitable growth. In this role, the Director of Operations will ensure that all operational departments remain productive, efficient, and aligned with the company's strategic objectives, while consistently delivering high-quality products on time and meeting customer expectations.Responsibilities:Provide leadership, coaching, and accountability for operational teams, fostering employee development and high performance.Drive cross-functional collaboration to ensure alignment, efficiency, and achievement of organizational objectives.Lead and promote a culture of safety by ensuring compliance with policies and procedures, reducing recordable incidents, and overseeing incident investigations and corrective actions.Ensure quality standards are met by monitoring and reducing scrap, rework, and non-conformances while driving continuous quality improvement.Manage operational performance to achieve on-time delivery (OTD), reduce past-due orders, meet daily production targets, and support revenue goals.Oversee cost management through budget control, spending optimization, process efficiency improvements, and automation initiatives.Establish, monitor, and analyze key performance metrics, implementing corrective actions and improvement plans as needed.Lead and manage operational projects to ensure timely execution, resource alignment, and successful outcomes.Champion Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives, including 6S, structured problem-solving, Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), and waste reduction efforts.Develop and execute strategic plans related to capital investments, workforce planning, operational processes, and organizational growth.Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.Required Qualifications:Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, a technical discipline, or a related field required; MBA or other advanced degree preferred.Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience with increasing operational responsibility in a manufacturing or industrial environment.Demonstrated success leading cross-functional teams and driving operational performance, continuous improvement, and business growth.Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate at all levels of the organization.Must have English reading and verbal communication skills sufficient to read, understand and communicate the company operating procedures and policies.Must be able to lift, push and pull a minimum of 50 lbs.Must be able to demonstrate math proficiency equal to or greater than required for the position applied.Must be available to work the shift specified by the position and be flexible to potential overtime on weekends/ holidays.Preferred Skills:Strong manufacturing and technical aptitude, with the ability to quickly learn and adapt to new processes and technologies.Strong analytical and financial acumen, with the ability to interpret data, metrics, and operational performance indicators to drive decision-making.Proficiency with ERP systems; SAP experience preferred.PLEASE NOTE: Certain positions may require the ability to obtain and maintain a DOD Secret Clearance.ITAR Requirement:This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants will be asked to provide specific documentation to verify U.S. person status under the ITAR and the EAR. A “U.S. person” according to their definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee, or asylee.The Gill Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants for all job openings are welcome and will be considered without regard to race, religious creed, color, age, sex, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, marital status, medical condition, physical or mental disability, military service, veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, or any other classification protected by federal, state, and local laws and ordinances.The Gill Corporation provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disability Act and applicable state and local law. If you require an accommodation in the application process, please notify the Human Resources Department