Director of Operations | Aerospace & Defense Manufacturing | Phoenix, AZ
A well-established, privately held aerospace and defense manufacturer, profitable, and growing — is looking for its next operations leader. With a tenured leadership team, a firming backlog, and real succession potential, this is a rare opportunity to step into a high-impact role with a clear path upward.
The Director of Operations reports directly to the General Manager and serves as her operational right hand — owning day-to-day execution while building toward broader P&L responsibility as the business expands.
📍 Phoenix, AZ | 1st Shift | On-site
💰 $150K – $170K base + performance-based bonus
📦 Relocation assistance available — we welcome candidates from California and other aerospace hubs
WHAT YOU'LL OWN:
• Lead daily operations across an under-100-person, single-shift manufacturing floor
• Own and present monthly KPIs — scrap, margins, on-time delivery, and productivity — to senior leadership and the CEO
• Manage supply chain end-to-end: MRP, PO entry, supplier relationships, lead times, capacity planning, and staffing
• Get ahead of backlog risk and customer needs before they become issues
• Drive lean and continuous improvement initiatives — elevate the operation, don't just maintain it
• Be the continuity plan — when the GM is out, you're the answer
WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR:
• Aerospace manufacturing background — you know the pace, compliance, and precision this industry demands
• Supply chain or planning roots: MRP, PO management, supplier negotiations, material flow
• P&L literacy and comfort presenting financial performance to leadership and customers
• A collaborative leader — this team is tenured and skilled, they need a partner who raises the bar
• NadCap, Lean/CI, or defense program experience a strong plus
• Comfortable owning outcomes in a lean, multi-hat environment
WHY THIS ROLE:
✅ Genuine succession track to General Manager and P&L ownership — not a talking point
✅ Revenue growing upward of $50M with a strong and firming order backlog
✅ Stable, profitable, collaborative culture — low politics, high tenure
✅ Real authority from day one
✅ Phoenix cost of living is a meaningful upgrade from California on the same comp
Hands-on ops leader with aerospace DNA and supply chain roots? Ready to grow into a GM role? Reach out or apply directly Chris@skylimit-systems.com — we are moving quickly!