Sr Director, Global Operations Leader

Ladders; Ashburn (VA); On-site; USD 200,000 - 275,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

401K with employer match and profit分享

Health and wellness benefits

Learning and development opportunities

Referral program

Competitive pay

Employee stock purchase plan

Inclusive and supportive culture

Job summary

Ladders seeks a Sr Director, Global Operations Leader to own global operations strategy across production, logistics, facilities, and supply chain for aerospace and defense programs. Location: Ashburn, VA; US-based candidates only, no visa sponsorship.

Responsibilities include building a high-performing global team, ensuring on-time delivery, and compliance with ITAR/aircraft standards while driving continuous improvement and safe, accountable operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations Management, or related field.
• 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in global operations within the Aerospace & Defense industry.
• Deep understanding of defense acquisition frameworks and export compliance, including ITAR and EAR.
• Track record managing complex supply chains and regulated production environments.
• Experience with ERP and business systems integration, including SAP, Oracle, Deltek Costpoint, and Teamcenter.
• Familiarity with FAA, DoD, NASA, or other regulatory standards.
• Security clearance or ability to obtain one may be required.

Responsibilities

• Build and lead a high-performing global operations team with a focus on technical excellence and accountability
• Lead global production, logistics, and facility operations to ensure on-time delivery of aerospace and defense systems
• Drive operational strategies that align with customer requirements, including government contracts
• Champion integrity, safety, compliance, and innovation within the operations culture
• Direct global supply chain activities, including strategic sourcing and supplier risk management
• Ensure compliance with industry standards such as AS9100, ISO 9001, and ITAR
• Develop scalable manufacturing strategies for new product ramp-up across global sites

Skills

Global operations leadership

Regulated manufacturing

Supply chain management

Leadership and culture

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations Management, or related field

Master's degree or MBA preferred

Tools

SAP

Oracle

Deltek Costpoint

Teamcenter

Job description

For our client, we are seeking a Sr Director, Global Operations Leader to join the team of a leader in the Aerospace & Defense space.

This senior leader will own global operations strategy and execution across production, logistics, facilities, and supply chain functions. The role is critical to ensuring reliable delivery of complex systems in a highly regulated environment while supporting customer commitments and government contract requirements. You will also help shape a culture of safety, compliance, accountability, and continuous improvement across global sites.

The ideal candidate will bring deep leadership experience in regulated manufacturing and operations, with the ability to scale manufacturing for new product introductions and strengthen supply chain resilience. This position requires close partnership with cross-functional teams to align operational plans with business needs, compliance obligations, and long-term growth.

Location: Ashburn, VA - US based candidates only, no visa sponsorship available

Compensation: $200,000 - $275,000 annually

Responsibilities

• Build and lead a high-performing global operations team with a focus on technical excellence and accountability
• Lead global production, logistics, and facility operations to ensure on-time delivery of aerospace and defense systems
• Drive operational strategies that align with customer requirements, including government contracts
• Champion integrity, safety, compliance, and innovation within the operations culture
• Direct global supply chain activities, including strategic sourcing and supplier risk management
• Ensure compliance with industry standards such as AS9100, ISO 9001, and ITAR
• Develop scalable manufacturing strategies for new product ramp-up across global sites

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations Management, or a related field; Master's degree or MBA preferred
• 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in global operations within the Aerospace & Defense industry
• Deep understanding of defense acquisition frameworks and export compliance, including ITAR and EAR
• Track record managing complex supply chains and regulated production environments
• Experience with ERP and business systems integration, including SAP, Oracle, Deltek Costpoint, and Teamcenter
• Familiarity with FAA, DoD, NASA, or other regulatory standards
• Security clearance or ability to obtain one may be required

Benefits

• Paid Time Off
• 401K with employer match and profit sharing
• Health and wellness benefits
• Learning and development opportunities
• Referral program
• Competitive pay
• Employee stock purchase plan
• Inclusive and supportive culture

Our client is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet every qualification- your background could be exactly what this team needs.