Operations Manager

Abrams Airborne Manufacturing, Inc.; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Abrams Airborne Manufacturing, Inc. is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead Production Control and Supply Chain in a fast‑paced aerospace job shop. You will direct scheduling, planning, inventory, and purchasing, balancing cost, schedule, and material availability with hands‑on leadership.

You will own key metrics, drive process improvements, and ensure IFR with AS9100/ISO 9001 standards while partnering across functions to deliver on customer commitments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, business, industrial engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 5+ years in production control, planning, or supply chain management in a manufacturing job shop environment; aerospace/defense experience strongly preferred.
• Prior experience directly supervising staff; experience managing a manager strongly preferred.
• Hands-on experience with manufacturing ERP/MRP systems.
• Familiarity with AS9100 and ISO 9001 as they relate to production and supply chain.
• APICS/CPIM, CPSM, or similar certification a plus.

Responsibilities

• Set production planning and scheduling strategy; direct staff in translating sales orders, forecasts, and shop capacity into a realistic master production schedule.
• Own key metrics — on-time delivery, schedule attainment, WIP aging, throughput — and drive corrective action when targets are missed.
• Partner with the Director of Manufacturing on capacity planning and resolve escalations on sequencing conflicts or bottlenecks.
• Lead root cause analysis and process improvement for recurring schedule slips.
• Direct the Inventory Manager and team on maintaining raw material, WIP, and finished goods inventory that supports production while minimizing carrying costs.
• Set inventory KPIs (turns, accuracy, service level) and hold the team accountable.
• Direct purchasing/buying staff on supplier selection, PO issuance, pricing, and delivery follow-up; approve key sourcing decisions.
• Own supplier relationship strategy for key suppliers and drive corrective action with underperformers.
• Ensure procurement practices comply with contractual/regulatory flow-down requirements (FAR/DFARS, customer-directed sourcing, ITAR where applicable).

Skills

People leadership

Analytical planning

Lean manufacturing

Supplier management

Effective communication

Independent judgment

Education

Bachelor's degree in supply chain management or related field

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Job description

About The Role

We're looking for an experienced Operations Manager to lead our Production Control and Supply Chain functions. You'll direct a team of managers and staff across scheduling/planning and inventory/purchasing, setting priorities, driving performance, and holding your team accountable for results. This is a hands‑on leadership role for someone who thrives in a fast‑paced job shop environment and knows how to balance schedule, cost, and material availability.

What You'll Do

Production Control (Processing, Scheduling & Planning)

• Set production planning and scheduling strategy; direct staff in translating sales orders, forecasts, and shop capacity into a realistic master production schedule
• Own key metrics — on-time delivery, schedule attainment, WIP aging, throughput — and drive corrective action when targets are missed
• Partner with the Director of Manufacturing on capacity planning and resolve escalations on sequencing conflicts or bottlenecks
• Lead root cause analysis and process improvement for recurring schedule slips

Supply Chain (Inventory & Purchasing)

• Direct the Inventory Manager and team on maintaining raw material, WIP, and finished goods inventory that supports production while minimizing carrying costs
• Set inventory KPIs (turns, accuracy, service level) and hold the team accountable
• Direct purchasing/buying staff on supplier selection, PO issuance, pricing, and delivery follow-up; approve key sourcing decisions
• Own supplier relationship strategy for key suppliers and drive corrective action with underperformers
• Ensure procurement practices comply with contractual/regulatory flow-down requirements (FAR/DFARS, customer-directed sourcing, ITAR where applicable)

People Management

• Develop and manage the Inventory Manager, Purchasing Manager, and production control staff
• Set clear goals and priorities for direct reports; conduct performance evaluations and coaching
• Build a cooperative, accountable team culture across both functions

Cross-Functional

• Partner with Quality on material and process nonconformances affecting schedule or supply
• Provide production, inventory, and supply chain data to support estimating, sales, and leadership decisions
• Drive continuous improvement across production control and supply chain

What You Bring

• Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, business, industrial engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience)
• 5+ years in production control, planning, or supply chain management in a manufacturing job shop environment; aerospace/defense experience strongly preferred
• Prior experience directly supervising staff; experience managing a manager strongly preferred
• Hands-on experience with manufacturing ERP/MRP systems
• Familiarity with AS9100 and ISO 9001 as they relate to production and supply chain
• APICS/CPIM, CPSM, or similar certification a plus

You're a Strong Fit If You

• Are a proven team leader who can hire, develop, and hold staff accountable in a fast‑paced environment
• Have sharp analytical and planning skills, balancing competing priorities across schedule, cost, and material availability
• Know Lean manufacturing and materials management principles
• Negotiate well and have supplier management chops
• Communicate effectively across all levels — from shop floor to leadership to suppliers
• Exercise sound, independent judgment

Why Join Us

At Abrams Airborne Manufacturing, we build to a standard, not a deadline. Our mission — Precision, Passion, and Integrity — isn't a poster on the wall; it's how we plan a schedule, qualify a supplier, and hold each other accountable. If you want to lead a team that takes pride in getting it right the first time, this is that kind of shop.