Director, Operations

New Hampshire Ball Bearings, Inc. (NHBB) is seeking an experienced and strategic Director of Operations to lead multiple aerospace manufacturing facilities across several U.S. locations. This executive-level leadership role is responsible for driving operational excellence, manufacturing performance, safety, quality, continuous improvement, and organizational alignment across a multi-site manufacturing environment.

The ideal candidate is a highly collaborative operations leader with a strong background in aerospace manufacturing, multi-site operational leadership, and Lean manufacturing principles. This role partners closely with the President and executive leadership team to align operational execution with long-term business strategy, customer expectations, and growth initiatives.

This position is best suited for a hands-on leader who thrives in complex manufacturing environments and has experience leading aerospace, precision machining, engineered products, or highly regulated manufacturing operations.

Key Responsibilities

Executive Leadership & Strategy

• Provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for multiple manufacturing facilities across several states.
• Translate corporate objectives into measurable operational goals, performance standards, and execution strategies.
• Partner closely with the President and executive leadership team to support long-term business growth, operational scalability, and customer satisfaction.
• Lead organizational initiatives focused on operational excellence, workforce development, and manufacturing innovation.

Multi-Site Manufacturing Operations

• Oversee daily operations including production, quality, supply chain, logistics, maintenance, and manufacturing engineering.
• Ensure facilities consistently achieve or exceed key performance indicators (KPIs) related to safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost.
• Standardize operational processes and implement manufacturing best practices across all sites.
• Drive Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement initiatives to improve efficiency, throughput, and profitability.

Aerospace Manufacturing Excellence

• Ensure compliance with aerospace manufacturing standards, customer requirements, and regulatory expectations.
• Support precision manufacturing operations involving highly engineered products, tight tolerances, and complex manufacturing processes.
• Collaborate with engineering, quality, and operations teams to support operational readiness, customer delivery performance, and program execution.

Leadership & Organizational Development

• Lead, coach, and develop plant managers, operational leaders, and cross-functional teams.
• Foster a culture of accountability, employee engagement, safety, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Partner with Human Resources on workforce planning, succession planning, leadership development, and retention initiatives.

Financial & Operational Performance

• Support operational budgeting, capital planning, cost control, and resource optimization initiatives.
• Analyze operational data and manufacturing metrics to improve productivity, capacity utilization, and profitability.
• Support investments in manufacturing technology, automation, equipment, and facility improvements.

Safety, Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, local, and industry regulations including OSHA, EPA, and aerospace customer requirements.
• Champion environmental health and safety initiatives across all operations.
• Identify operational risks and implement proactive mitigation strategies.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business, Manufacturing, or related field required; MBA preferred.
• Minimum 10-15 years of progressive manufacturing operations leadership experience.
• Minimum 5 years leading multi-site manufacturing operations.
• Significant experience within the aerospace manufacturing industry strongly preferred.
• Experience leading precision machining, engineered products, metal manufacturing, bearings, motion control, or highly regulated manufacturing environments preferred.
• Proven success implementing Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, operational excellence, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Experience working within multinational organizations and diverse operational cultures preferred.

Leadership Competencies

• Strong executive leadership and team development skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex, multi-site manufacturing operations.
• Excellent strategic thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills with executives, customers, and frontline employees.
• Proven ability to drive organizational change and operational transformation.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally approximately 30%.

Important U.S. Export Compliance Requirement

Due to U.S. government export control regulations and aerospace industry compliance requirements, applicants must be a:

• U.S. Citizen,
• U.S. Permanent Resident (Green Card Holder),
• or person granted asylum or refugee status in the United States.

Candidates with aerospace manufacturing experience, particularly within regulated or defense-related manufacturing environments, are strongly encouraged to apply.

Why Join NHBB?

NHBB is a recognized leader in precision aerospace manufacturing and engineered motion-control solutions. This role offers the opportunity to make a significant impact across multiple manufacturing operations while leading high-performing teams in a collaborative, growth-oriented environment focused on innovation, quality, and operational excellence.

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