Senior Director of Operations

Hanwha Aerospace USA; Cheshire (CT); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Hanwha Aerospace USA, CT-based multi-site manufacturer, seeks a Senior Director of Operations to lead day-to-day manufacturing, quality, supply chain, procurement, and planning across four Connecticut sites. You will translate strategy into site execution, manage five business units' performance, and partner with HQ in Seoul on key initiatives.

The role demands a US person with 15+ years in aerospace or precision manufacturing, strong end-to-end operations knowledge, and proven turnaround and CI

Qualifications

• Minimum 15 years in aerospace/manufacturing operations with multi-site leadership.
• Strong end-to-end operations knowledge across production, quality, supply chain, and planning.
• Experience in driving turnaround and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end manufacturing and operations across five business units at four sites.
• Translate strategy into annual operating plans, including capacity and staffing.
• Establish a common operating system with KPIs and Lean/CI practices.
• Sponsor improvement initiatives spanning multiple sites and ERP/digital tools.
• Own on-time delivery performance and customer scorecards; lead recovery plans.

Skills

Leadership

Cross-functional leadership

Strategic planning

Lean/continuous improvement

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

MBA or advanced degree

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

S&OP processes

Job description

Hanwha Aerospace’s Aero Business has operations in the USA, Vietnam and South Korea. As part of Hanwha Aerospace, the largest aerospace and defense company in South Korea, Aero Business delivers to OEM and Tier 1 customers the most complex machined, fabricated and assembled product and modules for use in engine and other aerospace applications.

Hanwha Aerospace USA (hereby HAU) has long been recognized as a leader in the development and supply of flight critical Aerospace/Defense components and assemblies. Operating out of four state-of-the-art facilities located in Connecticut, HAU offers growth and career development opportunities to enrich your talents.

This role will serve as the Senior Director of Operations of HAU. The Senior Director leads day-to-day operations across five business units at four Connecticut sites, covering production, quality, supply chain, procurement, and production planning, and serves as the operational point of contact for customers on delivery, quality, and program execution. The successful candidate will translate HAU's strategy and turnaround priorities into site-level execution, be accountable for the operating results of all five business units, including revenue, cost, operating margin, and inventory, and build a common operating system executed by the site Directors of Operations.

The position works closely with the functional leaders both at HAU and Hanwha Aerospace headquarters, Seoul.

Location: Connecticut (multi-site: Newington, Cheshire, Glastonbury, East Windsor)

Key Responsibilities:

Operational Leadership:

• Lead end-to-end manufacturing and operations across five business units at four sites, executing the turnaround priorities set by the Aero Business Group.
• Translate HAU strategy into annual operating plans for each business unit, including capacity, capital investment needs, and staffing.
• Establish a common HAU operating system across sites, including tiered performance reviews, standard KPIs, and Lean/continuous improvement practices.
• Resolve cross-site constraints in capacity, shared equipment, special processes, and labor, and reallocate resources between business units as needed.
• Sponsor improvement, automation, and ERP/digital initiatives that span more than one site.

Supply Chain, Procurement & Production Planning:

• Lead the SIOP process and master production scheduling across all sites, aligning customer demand, capacity, and materials.
• Direct procurement and supplier management, including sourcing strategy, supplier delivery and quality performance, purchase cost reduction, and supply risk mitigation for critical materials such as forgings and raw materials.
• Manage inventory levels and inventory turnover days across business units to meet working capital targets.
• Lead make-or-buy and outside processing decisions across the portfolio.
• Accountable for the operating results of the five business units, including revenue, cost, operating margin, and inventory.
• Consolidate business unit budgets and forecasts, and present the operations plan to the person designated by the company (TBD).
• Review monthly revenue, product cost, and margin performance by business unit, and direct recovery plans where results deviate from plan.
• Drive cost reduction, productivity improvement, and reduction of cost of poor quality.

Customer Operations:

• Serve as the primary operational point of contact for customers on delivery, quality, and program execution.
• Own on-time delivery performance and customer scorecards, and lead recovery plans for at-risk deliveries.
• Lead the response to quality escapes, customer corrective action requests, and customer audits.
• Manage new product introduction and transition to production for new programs, and provide capacity, cost, and lead-time inputs to Commercial for quotations.
• Escalate commercial matters such as pricing, contract terms, and new business to the Global Chief Commercial Officer (CCO).

Quality, Safety & Compliance:

• Ensure all sites maintain compliance with AS9100, NADCAP, customer quality requirements, and applicable regulations.
• Review cross-site quality trends and drive systemic corrective action beyond the scope of a single site.
• Lead safety culture and EHS/OSHA performance across all sites.
• Ensure operations comply with ITAR/EAR export control requirements and company policies.

Talent Development:

• Lead, coach, and evaluate the Directors of Operations; set measurable goals and conduct annual performance appraisals.
• Propose the operations’ organizational structure and headcount plan, and hire site leaders within the approved plan.
• Build leadership bench strength and succession plans for site leadership and critical roles in partnership with HR.
• Communicate business direction through regular leadership forums and site meetings.
• Perform other related duties or responsibilities as requested or required, whether or not specifically mentioned in this job description.

Others:

• Regular travel among Connecticut sites; up to 15% Domestic & International Travel

Basic Qualifications:

• Must be a “US Person” as defined by US Government and able to work without restriction with ITAR related data.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business Administration, or related field required.
• Minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in aerospace/gas turbine or precision manufacturing operations, including at least 7 years leading multi-site operations or plant leaders.
• Strong understanding of end-to-end operations, including production, quality, supply chain, procurement, and production planning.
• Experience managing operating results including revenue, cost, operating margin, and inventory for multiple business units or plants.
• Working knowledge of AS9100, NADCAP special processes, and ITAR/EAR compliance.
• Demonstrated experience in driving turnaround, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with customers, executives, and the shop floor.

Preferred Qualifications:

• MBA or advanced degree in Engineering, Business Administration, or related field.
• Experience with rotating parts, IBR/BLISK machining, or special processes such as EB welding and heat treat.
• Six Sigma, Lean, or other continuous improvement certification.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems and S&OP processes.
• Experience in a global manufacturing environment, including working with an overseas parent company.

Work Authorization:

• The ideal candidate for this role will have authorization to work in the US prior to joining Hanwha Aerospace USA Inc.
• This role will not sponsor or offer assistance with the sponsorship for work authorization in the United States.

AAP Statement

Hanwha Aerospace USA, is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We conform to all the laws, statutes, and regulations concerning equal employment opportunities and affirmative action. We strongly encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply to all of our job openings. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability status, Genetic Information & Testing, Family & Medical Leave, Sexual Orientation, and Gender Identity or Expression, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We prohibit Retaliation against individuals who bring forth any complaint, orally or in writing, to the employer or the government, or against any individuals who assist or participate in the investigation of any complaint or otherwise oppose discrimination.