Operations Manager

Aptiv; Garden Grove (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Aptiv is seeking an experienced Operations Manager in Garden Grove, CA to lead manufacturing operations across aerospace and defense projects. You will drive production flow, quality, safety, and continuous improvement while ensuring AS9100D compliance and meeting forecasted deliveries.

You will oversee multiple shifts, guide KPI reporting, and collaborate with engineering, supply chain, and leadership to manage budgeting and strategic growth for Ruggedized products.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in manufacturing engineering, industrial engineering, electrical engineering, or related field preferred.
• 10–15 years of aerospace/defense operations management experience with progressive leadership responsibility.
• Minimum 7 years of senior leadership leading 50+ employees, preferably in aerospace manufacturing.
• AS9100D Lead Auditor certification and Six Sigma Black Belt preferred.
• Advanced understanding of aerospace quality systems and IPC standards.
• Experience creating operational dashboards, KPI reporting, and SPC documentation.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and strategic planning skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills for aerospace customers and internal stakeholders.
• Current ITAR compliance training and adherence required.

Responsibilities

• Lead manufacturing operations across large aerospace/defense projects.
• Ensure AS9100D compliance and manage production flow across shifts.
• Set operations strategy aligned with growth goals for Ruggedized products.
• Establish KPIs and communicate them across teams.
• Drive continuous improvement in quality, safety, and procedures.
• Collaborate cross-functionally and contribute to NPI projects and engineering requirements.
• Manage budgeting targets, revenue, and EBITDA/operating income.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Problem solving

Continuous improvement

ITAR compliance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in manufacturing/industrial/electrical engineering or related field

Tools

Google Workspace

SmartView

Salesforce

ADP

Syspro

QMS

Planful

AwardCo

Job description

We always do the right thing, the right way.

Job Title: Operations Manager

Location: Garden Grove, CA USA

Department: Operations

Reports To: General Manager

Job Type: Full-Time

Compensation: $140,000 - $160,000 per year plus 20% AIP

Summary

At Aptiv, we inspire the world's most innovative teams by doing the right thing, the right way. As our Operations Manager you will be responsible for leading manufacturing operations across multiple large-scale aerospace and defense projects. Ensure the AS9100D compliance while directing the assembly, tuning, and testing of highly reliable cables and interconnect solutions for spaceflight and critical defense applications.

This position reports to the General Manager and will strategically manage production flow across multiple shifts to meet forecasted deliveries and drive continuous improvement in product quality, safety, and operational procedures.

Leadership & Core Responsibilities

• Achieving the budgeted Revenue & EBITDA / Operating Income targets.
• Long-term Organic Growth - have a plan to profitably grow top line organically by 10% every year that impacts EBITDA/Operating Income by being focused on efficient scheduling and planning, improved OTD & Yields, contract review, Reduction / Elimination of RMAs & CARs, & reduced labor variance and material scrap.
• EHS, Safety / Training - support and awareness.
• Culture - Champion the Aptiv culture while creating a strong business unit, while having a positive, engaged, and infectious attitude.
• Collaborate across Ruggedized in a way that leads by example, holds people accountable, and utilizes data to make informed decisions.
• Actively participate both internally and externally on NPI projects, Engineering requirements, RMAs, CARs, production, and general customer service.
• Establish KPIs and communicate them regularly to your team and other departments (make visible)
• Set the Operations strategy that aligns with Ruggedized short and long-term growth goals, focuses on your department, and complements the others.
• Strengthen/build your department resources with the short and long-term growth strategy in mind & align personnel to achieve the best results, including ross-train individuals where needed (utilize the DOA for hiring).
• Continuously seek ways to simplify your operations and processes, invest and/or rationalize costs for production improvements (utilize the DOA for approvals).
• Empower others within your team to take action to support the department's goals and objectives, using new incentive ideas.
• Comply with all company policies and procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Position Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in manufacturing engineering, Industrial Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field preferred.
• 10-15 years of aerospace/defense operations management experience with progressive leadership responsibility required.
• Minimum 7 years of senior leadership experience managing teams of 50+ employees, preferably in aerospace manufacturing.
• AS9100D Lead Auditor certification and Six Sigma Black Belt certification preferred.
• Advanced understanding of aerospace quality systems, J-STD, IPC-620, and IPC-620 Space applications.
• Experience creating and maintaining operational dashboards, KPI reporting, and statistical process control documentation.
• Exceptional organizational and strategic planning skills with keen attention to operational detail.
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills for aerospace customer interface and executive reporting.
• Superior interpersonal skills for managing high-profile aerospace customers and internal stakeholders.
• Proven executive team player capable of cross-functional collaboration in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize enterprise workload independently and meet critical delivery schedules for multiple concurrent programs.
• Current ITAR compliance training and strict adherence are required.

Certifications & Competencies

Systems Proficiency: Google Workspace / SmartView / Salesforce / ADP / Syspro / QMS / Planful / AwardCo.

Core Competencies: Accountability, Collaboration, and Empowerment (ACE); strong communication, sound judgement, teamwork, problem-solving, and continuous improvement.

Compensation, Benefits & Legal

Total Rewards & Compensation: The pay range for this position is $140,000 - $160,000 per year plus 20% AIP. Exact compensation will depend on experience, education, skills, and other job-related factors. For benefits and career opportunities, visit https://www.aptiv.com/careers.

EEO Statement

Aptiv is an Equal Opportunity Employer (Minorities/Women/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities). We adhere to all federal, state, and local laws governing non-discrimination and strictly prohibit workplace harassment of any kind.