Operations Manager, Final Assembly – Aerospace Materials

PPG; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 187,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Retirement plan

Paid vacation & holidays

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Job summary

PPG in Sylmar, CA is seeking an Operations Manager for Final Assembly – Aerospace Materials to lead final assembly, machining, finishing, and product completion activities. This on-site role emphasizes takt-based production, Lean principles, and continuous improvement to meet stringent quality and delivery targets.

You will drive safety, quality, and cost improvements, partner with Engineering and Quality, and coach leaders to build a high-performance team committed to accountability and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in a technical/STEM discipline.
• Advanced degree preferred but not required.
• Equivalently, substantial manufacturing leadership experience may count in lieu of a degree.

Responsibilities

• Lead Final Assembly operations to achieve SQDIC goals and align with business and customer objectives.
• Drive Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement via Kaizen events, standard work, visual management, 5S, and waste elimination.
• Oversee daily manufacturing execution, ensuring takt-based production meeting quality, delivery, productivity, and throughput targets.
• Champion safety, quality, FOD prevention, and disciplined material handling to reduce risk and waste.
• Monitor performance through KPI management and root cause problem solving; lead cost and OEE improvements.
• Partner with Engineering, Maintenance, Quality and other functions to implement capital projects and enhance capability.
• Develop leaders and employees; foster accountability, engagement and Lean leadership.

Skills

Leadership

Lean manufacturing

Kaizen

Safety management

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Manufacturing/Industrial Engineering/Operations Management/Supply Chain or other technical/STEM discipline

Advanced degree preferred

Equivalent combination of education and significant manufacturing leadership experience

Job description

Sylmar, CA

Are you a passionate and driven Operations Manager who is looking to take their career to new heights? Then look no further than this opportunity with PPG's Aerospace business! We are looking for someone who is able to see the future of aviation transparencies and take our exceptional products to the next level!

Operations Manager, Final Assembly – Aerospace Materials

You will be responsible for leading the final stages of the manufacturing value stream, ensuring safe, efficient, and repeatable execution of all assembly, machining, finishing, and product completion activities. This role oversees a combination of manual and CNC machining processes, precision assembly operations, and highly skilled craftsmanship activities required to deliver aerospace transparencies that meet the highest standards of quality, performance, and customer satisfaction.

The position is accountable for driving strategic operational excellence, with approximately 80% of focus dedicated to advancing Safety, Quality, Delivery, Inventory, and Cost (SQDIC) objectives and 20% dedicated to daily operational execution.

Success in this role requires a relentless focus on takt-based production, Lean Manufacturing principles, daily management systems, and continuous improvement. The Operations Manager will lead efforts to improve flow, eliminate waste, increase productivity, reduce scrap, and optimize manufacturing performance through robust application of Lean methodologies, Kaizen events, standard work, cell design, and 3P (Production Preparation Process) principles.

This leader will build a culture of accountability, operational discipline, and continuous improvement while ensuring strict adherence to FOD prevention, material handling requirements, quality standards, and safe manufacturing practices.

This is an On‑site role working from the Sylmar, CA facility. In this role you will report to the Plant Manager.

Responsibilities

• Lead Final Assembly operations to achieve SQDIC goals while aligning performance with business and customer objectives.
• Drive Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives through Kaizen events, standard work, visual management, 5S, flow optimization, and waste elimination.
• Oversee daily manufacturing execution, ensuring safe, efficient, takt-based production that meets quality, delivery, productivity, and throughput targets.
• Champion safety, quality, FOD prevention, and disciplined material handling to reduce risk, defects, rework, and waste.
• Monitor and improve operational performance through KPI management, root cause problem‑solving, and cost, productivity, and OEE improvement initiatives.
• Partner with Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, and other functions to implement capital projects, improve manufacturing capabilities, and enhance operational effectiveness.
• Lead, coach, and develop leaders and employees while fostering a high‑performance culture of accountability, engagement, Lean leadership, and continuous learning.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, Supply Chain, or other technical/STEM discipline required.
• Advanced degree preferred.
• Equivalent combination of education and significant manufacturing leadership experience may be considered.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience required.
• Aerospace manufacturing experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success leading final assembly, machining, value‑stream, or production operations within a complex manufacturing environment.
• Only U.S. Citizens, Green Card holders, and political asylees or refugees are eligible to apply.

The base salary range for this position is $180,000.00 to $187,000.00, 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. Actual benefit offerings confirmed at the time of hire.

About Us

PPG: WE PROTECT AND BEAUTIFY THE WORLD®

Through leadership in innovation, sustainability and color, PPG helps customers in industrial, transportation, consumer products, and construction markets and aftermarkets to enhance more surfaces in more ways than does any other company. To learn more, visit www.ppg.com and follow @PPG on X.

The PPG Way 2030

We are customer champions

Proactive. Bold. Trustworthy. Everything we do starts with our customers. We listen, move fast and don’t stop until we solve their biggest challenges. When our customers win, we all grow.

We act with purpose and speed

Agile. Data‑driven. Empowered. We take smart risks to stay ahead of the competition. We work proactively with agility, using quality data to develop solutions that create value.

We are excellent operators

Productive. Collaborative. Accountable. No matter our role, we identify problems, take ownership and always bring solutions. We are both proactive and responsive to drive continuous improvement and deliver results. We support our frontline, the faces of PPG to our customers.

We compete to win

Future‑focused. Driven. Ambitious. We are passionate about growing our business and winning with our customers. We deliver results, embrace new technologies and leverage agility and speed as strengths.

We are PPG proud

Strong. United. Passionate. We work safely, act with integrity and value our diverse perspectives. We celebrate achievements and take pride in the positive impact we create together to protect and beautify the world.

At PPG we use AI in the hiring process to make the process more efficient. AI tools do not make hiring decisions. You can learn more by going to https://careers.ppg.com/us/en/candidate-resources.

PPG provides equal opportunity to all candidates and employees. We offer an opportunity to grow and develop your career in an environment that provides a fulfilling workplace for employees, creates an environment for continuous learning, and embraces the ideas and diversity of others. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, pregnancy, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, age, disability status, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.

If you need an adjustment due to a disability, please email [e-mail].

PPG pay ranges and benefits can vary by location which allows us to compensate employees competitively in different geographic markets. PPG considers several factors in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, skill sets, experience and training, qualifications and education, licensure and certifications, and other organizational needs. Other incentives may apply.

Our employee benefits programs are designed to support the health and well-being of our employees. Any insurance coverages and benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents. Benefits will be discussed with you by your recruiter during the hiring process.

PPG values your feedback on our recruiting process. We encourage you to visit Glassdoor.com and provide feedback on the process, so that we can do better today than yesterday.