Operations Manager

At Winchester Interconnect, we always do the right thing, the right way.

Winchester Interconnect is committed to inspiring the most innovative teams. We foster a dynamic, inclusive environment that thrives on collaboration and continuous growth. We hire exceptional people, celebrate wins, empower employee growth, and provide opportunities to thrive. Winchester is where potential transforms into purpose, and every team member plays a vital role in shaping our shared success.

Position Summary:

As our Operations Manager you will be responsible for leading manufacturing operations across multiple large-scale aerospace and defense projects. Ensure the AS9100D compliance while directing the assembly, tuning, and testing of highly reliable cables and interconnect solutions for spaceflight and critical defense applications.

This position reports to the General Manager and will strategically manage production flow across multiple shifts to meet forecasted deliveries and drive continuous improvement in product quality, safety, and operational procedures.

Qualifications & Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in manufacturing engineering, Industrial Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field preferred.
• 10-15 years of aerospace/defense operations management experience with progressive leadership responsibility required.
• Minimum 7 years of senior leadership experience managing teams of 50+ employees, preferably in aerospace manufacturing.
• AS9100D Lead Auditor certification and Six Sigma Black Belt certification preferred.
• Advanced understanding of aerospace quality systems, J-STD, IPC-620, and IPC-620 Space applications.
• Experience creating and maintaining operational dashboards, KPI reporting, and statistical process control documentation.
• Exceptional organizational and strategic planning skills with keen attention to operational detail.
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills for aerospace customer interface and executive reporting.
• Superior interpersonal skills for managing high-profile aerospace customers and internal stakeholders.
• Proven executive team player capable of cross-functional collaboration in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize enterprise workload independently and meet critical delivery schedules for multiple concurrent programs.
• Current ITAR compliance training and strict adherence are required.

Our core values - Accountability, Collaboration, and Empowerment (ACE) - are the foundation of how we operate and drive success. You will take ownership of your contributions, collaborate with a team that gets stuff done, and be empowered to innovate and pursue bold initiatives that drive our business forward.

Are You Our Next ACE?

• Achieving the budgeted Revenue & EBITDA / Operating Income targets.
• Long-term Organic Growth - have a plan to profitably grow top line organically by 10% every year that impacts EBITDA/Operating Income by being focused on efficient scheduling and planning, improved OTD & Yields, contract review, Reduction / Elimination of RMAs & CARs, & reduced labor variance and material scrap.
• EHS, Safety / Training - support and awareness.
• Culture - Champion the Winchester culture while creating a strong business unit, while having a positive, engaged, and infectious attitude.
• Collaborate across Ruggedized in a way that leads by example, holds people accountable, and utilizes data to make informed decisions.
• Actively participate both internally and externally on NPI projects, Engineering requirements, RMAs, CARs, production, and general customer service.
• Establish KPIs and communicate them regularly to your team and other departments (make visible)
• Set the Operations strategy that aligns with Ruggedized short and long-term growth goals, focuses on your department, and complements the others.
• Strengthen/build your department resources with the short and long-term growth strategy in mind & align personnel to achieve the best results, including ross-train individuals where needed (utilize the DOA for hiring).
• Continuously seek ways to simplify your operations and processes, invest and/or rationalize costs for production improvements (utilize the DOA for approvals).
• Empower others within your team to take action to support the department's goals and objectives, using new incentive ideas.
• Comply with all company policies and procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Systems You’ll Use:

• Google Workspace / SmartView / Salesforce
• ADP / Syspro / QMS / Planful / AwardCo