Sr. Operations Manager

Senior Operations Manager

The Senior Operations Manager provides leadership and oversight for manufacturing operations, ensuring safety, quality, delivery, and financial objectives are met while driving operational excellence and continuous improvement across the organization.

Who are we?

Founded in 1849, Ducommun is the oldest company in California. Starting as a hardware supply store during the California Gold Rush and eventually assisted in the birth of the aerospace industry in Southern California by providing aircraft aluminum to early aerospace pioneers like Lindbergh, Douglas and Lockheed.

Today Ducommun is a global provider of innovative manufacturing solutions for customers in the aerospace, defense and industrial markets. We specialize in electronic and structural systems, producing complex products and components for commercial aircraft platforms, mission-critical military and space programs, and sophisticated industrial applications.

Our Facility in Joplin, Missouri manufactures state-of-the-art wiring harnesses for Aerospace and Defense Industries.

Job Summary

• Oversee day-to-day manufacturing operations across assigned production areas to ensure safety, quality, delivery, labor utilization, and productivity goals are achieved.

• Promote a productive work environment focused on accountability, communication, teamwork, professionalism, and employee engagement.

• Partner with Production Managers, Supervisors, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and other departments to resolve operational issues and improve workflow efficiency.

• Monitor production metrics, labor utilization, scrap, efficiency, and on-time delivery performance and implement corrective actions where needed.

• Ensure work environments are safe, organized, and compliant with Company policies and regulatory requirements.

• Drive operational consistency and standardization across multiple shifts and departments

• Review and analyze production data to identify trends, deficiencies, bottlenecks, and opportunities for operational improvement.

• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on lean manufacturing principles, waste reduction, labor optimization, process improvement, and operational efficiency.

• Assist in developing and implementing operational strategies that improve productivity, efficiency, and overall plant performance.

• Support budgetary objectives through effective labor management, cost control, and operational planning.

• Assist with capacity planning, staffing alignment, and operational forecasting to support business demands and growth objectives.

• Provide leadership, coaching, mentoring, and development for Production Managers, Supervisors, and operational personnel.

• Hold teams accountable for operational performance, attendance, professionalism, safety, and execution of responsibilities.

• Participate in hiring, onboarding, training, performance management, and disciplinary processes for operations personnel.

• Address employee performance concerns through coaching, counseling, and corrective action when necessary.

• Build trust and credibility with employees through balanced leadership, communication, consistency, and professionalism.

• Responsible for the proper handling and management of hazardous waste generated in their work area.

• Perform other assignments, projects, and operational initiatives as required.

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Strong people management and leadership skills with demonstrated success leading teams within a manufacturing environment.

• High level of emotional intelligence with the ability to build trust, hold employees accountable, and navigate operational challenges in a balanced and professional manner.

• Strong PC skills with intermediate to advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and the ability to analyze operational metrics, labor utilization, and production data.

• Strong background in lean manufacturing principles, continuous improvement, Lean, Six Sigma, 6S, and operational efficiency initiatives.

• Working knowledge of manufacturing operations and systems including scheduling, staffing, labor utilization, safety, quality systems, production planning, and maintenance.

• Working knowledge of AS9100, ISO standards, SPC, TQM, ITAR/EAR, OSHA, and other applicable manufacturing regulations and standards.

• Demonstrated ability to lead operational improvements, drive accountability, and improve productivity and efficiency throughout production teams.

• Strong project management experience including planning, budgeting, capital investment, and allocation of operational resources.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities within a fast-paced manufacturing environment while maintaining operational focus and execution.

• Strong communication, organizational, negotiation, problem-solving, and conflict resolution skills.

• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively across all levels and functions of the organization.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to interact professionally with employees, leadership, customers, and external partners.

• Strong ethical leadership abilities, professional judgment, and decision-making skills.

• Union manufacturing experience preferred but not required.

• Defense manufacturing experience preferred but not required.

• Abilities listed in General Requirements of Team Members

Required Experience and Education

• Bachelors degree in Electrical/Manufacturing Engineering, or Business Administration, or relevant discipline.

• Master’s Degree is preferred

• Minimum 8-10 years experience in an operational leadership role.

Equal Opportunity Employer Veterans/Disabled

1505 Maiden Lane

Joplin, Missouri, 64801

United States