Operations Manager
Location : On-Site, Glendale, CA
Join a mission-driven aerospace supplier fueling the future of critical systems. You will lead all facets of site operations and be the hands-on driver of performance, quality, and culture. You will have direct impact, visibility to leadership, and the ability to build the foundation for scalable growth. This is not a spectator role — you will roll up your sleeves, lead change, and own results.
What's in It for You
- Competitive base salary DOE with quarterly performance bonus (up to ~6 % of salary)
- Comprehensive benefits : medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k) match
- Tuition assistance / reimbursement with progressive PTO & vacation accrual
- Opportunity for visible influence, growth, and leadership development
- Culture of loyalty, long tenures, and deep employee engagement
What You'll Be Doing
Lead end-to-end manufacturing operations (forging, machining, threading, finishing, inspection) to ensure delivery, cost, and quality goals are metInstill and sustain Lean / Continuous Improvement practices (5S, Kaizen, SMED, value stream mapping) to reduce waste and elevate productivityDesign, monitor, and manage KPIs across Safety, Quality, Cost & Delivery (SQCD)Coach, mentor, and lead production supervisors and frontline staff, instituting performance management and development frameworksImplement cross-training initiatives to boost flexibility and mitigate bottlenecksDrive process improvement events, root cause analyses, and continuous improvement effortsCollaborate with Quality & Engineering on audits, validations, corrective actions, and compliance (e.g. AS9100, NADCAP)Partner with Supply Chain / Procurement to align materials flow, outsource processes, and vendor performanceOversee safety, compliance, and environmental processes on the shop floorLead daily ops meetings, planning sessions, resource allocation, and capital / tooling investment decisionsManage operations cost, budgets, and capital requestsKey Qualifications & Skills
7-10+ years in operational leadership in a regulated manufacturing environment (aerospace, defense, precision components)Hands-on understanding of precision manufacturing : forging, grinding, threading, coatings, inspectionTrack record managing multi-shift operations and leading supervisors & shop floor teamsDeep experience applying Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement toolsWorking knowledge of AS9100, NADCAP, or equivalently rigorous systemsExperience with ERP / MES systems (scheduling, MRP, production tracking)Bilingual English / Spanish (essential for workforce communication)Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Industrial, or Manufacturing Engineering preferredStrong organizational, interpersonal, and communication skillsAbility to handle an early start schedule (plant begins operations early)About Blue Signal :
Blue Signal is an award-winning, executive search firm specializing in various specialties. Our recruiters have a proven track record of placing top-tier talent across industry verticals, with deep expertise in numerous professional services. Learn more at bit.ly / 46Gs4yS