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David Joseph & Company

Operations Manager -Aerospace Manufacturing and Composite Experience

David Joseph & Company, White Salmon, Washington, United States, 98672

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We are recruiting an

Operations Manager

for a growing

aerospace composite manufacturing company . This role is responsible for end-to-end manufacturing operations in a

prepreg-based composite environment , supporting both

R&D and production programs . This is a

hands-on leadership role

requiring deep experience in

aerospace composite fabrication , not general manufacturing or metals-based operations. Manufacturing Operations

Lead daily manufacturing operations, including scheduling, throughput, and WIP management. Ensure composite manufacturing processes meet quality, performance, and efficiency standards (prepreg layup, curing, trimming, bonding, finishing). Oversee safe and reliable operation of equipment and facilities, coordinating maintenance and capital planning. Partner with Engineering, Quality, and Program Management to ensure smooth transition from R&D to production. Supply Chain & Materials

Own raw material flow, inventory control, supplier coordination, and outsourcing logistics. Ensure traceability and shelf-life compliance for prepreg and other controlled materials. Workforce & Team Development

Lead, mentor, and develop production supervisors, technicians, and support staff. Promote cross-training, accountability, and high-performance team behavior. Reinforce Innovative Composite Engineering's values of innovation, collaboration, and excellence through leadership example. Continuous Improvement

Champion Lean manufacturing, 5S, visual factory, and standard work. Develop and implement KPIs to monitor productivity, quality, cost, and delivery. Identify bottlenecks, lead root cause investigations, and implement sustainable improvements. Cross-functional Collaboration

Serve as the operational voice in new product introduction, quoting, and strategic planning. Collaborate with Sales, Engineering, Quality, and Finance to align production capacity with customer requirements. Support regulatory and certification requirements, including NADCAP, AS9100, and customer audits. Qualifications

7+ years in a manufacturing leadership role in aerospace or advanced composites Demonstrated expertise in prepreg composite fabrication: layup, cure cycles, trimming, bonding, and finishing Working knowledge of machining operations, inspection techniques (including FAI and dimensional metrology), and quality management systems Experience managing or coordinating supply chain, maintenance, and facilities functions Strong command of Lean principles, production planning tools, and ERP systems Proven ability to lead teams through growth, change, and performance challenges Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Engineering, Operations, or related field Hands-on knowledge of AS9100, NADCAP, or equivalent aerospace standards Experience scaling composite manufacturing operations for prototype and production volumes Background in both build-to-print and build-to-spec programs Other duties as assigned

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