Head of Operations

Round-Peg Solutions (RPS); Iowa City (IA); On-site; USD 125,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Equity participation

Benefits

Job summary

Round-Peg Solutions (RPS) seeks an Operations Manager to lead day-to-day manufacturing at a growing aerospace facility in Iowa. You will oversee production planning, supply chain, and quality while partnering with engineering to bring new products into production.

This is a hands-on role with on-floor problem solving and team leadership. Relocation assistance is available and the role offers equity participation and comprehensive benefits as the company scales.

Qualifications

• Leads operations across production, planning, sourcing and quality.
• Strong Lean/continuous improvement mindset and shop-floor presence.
• Experience in highly regulated aerospace or defence environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead production, planning, purchasing and manufacturing operations.
• Drive improvements across safety, quality, delivery, productivity and cost.
• Implement Lean manufacturing, visual management and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support New Product Introduction from engineering into production.
• Maintain quality system compliance, audit readiness and operational discipline.
• Develop supervisors and foster a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Lean manufacturing

Problem solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Tools

AS9100 knowledge

Job description

Operations Manager | Aerospace Manufacturing

$125,000 – $165,000 + Equity + Benefits

Relocation Assistance Available

Lead the day-to-day operations of a growing aerospace manufacturing facility.

Are you an Operations or Manufacturing Manager who enjoys improving production, solving problems on the factory floor and building high-performing teams? Do you thrive in hands‑on manufacturing environments where no two days are the same? Do you want the opportunity to shape the future of a growing aerospace business while working alongside engineering, quality and supply chain leaders? If so, this opportunity may be the right next step for you.

This organisation manufactures highly engineered aerospace and defence products used in flight‑critical applications where quality, reliability and precision are essential. Backed by significant investment and ambitious growth plans, the business is expanding its manufacturing capability while introducing new products, new systems and new ways of working. This is an opportunity to join at a pivotal stage and play a key role in that journey.

The Operations Manager will lead day‑to‑day manufacturing operations across production, planning, supply chain and quality while partnering closely with engineering to introduce new products into production. This is a genuine hands‑on leadership role where you’ll spend time on the shop floor solving problems, improving processes and supporting your teams—not just reviewing reports from an office.

As the Operations Manager your responsibilities will include

• Leading production, planning, purchasing and manufacturing operations
• Driving improvements across safety, quality, delivery, productivity and cost
• Implementing Lean manufacturing, visual management and continuous improvement initiatives
• Supporting New Product Introduction (NPI) from engineering into stable production
• Maintaining quality system compliance, audit readiness and operational discipline
• Developing supervisors while building a culture of accountability and continuous improvement

As the Operations Manager you will bring

• Experience leading manufacturing operations within aerospace, defence or another highly regulated industry
• Strong understanding of production planning, supply chain and manufacturing processes
• Experience implementing Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives
• Knowledge of quality systems, AS9100 or similar regulated manufacturing environments
• Experience working closely with engineering to launch new products into production
• A hands‑on leadership style with the willingness to solve problems on the shop floor alongside your team

Experience manufacturing hydraulic components, pressure switches, electromechanical assemblies, fluid control products or other high‑reliability aerospace products would be advantageous.

The Operations Manager will play a key role in scaling manufacturing capability while helping introduce new products, improve operational performance and build the next generation of manufacturing excellence. Alongside equity participation and outstanding benefits, this role offers genuine ownership, significant career progression and the opportunity to grow with one of the fastest‑growing aerospace manufacturing groups in North America.

All successful applicants will be contacted within two working days.