Manager - Operations-OPR620

Albany Engineered Composites (AEC) designs, develops, and manufactures advanced composite components in order to help our customers push the frontiers of innovation.  Our core strength is our ability to produce highly tailored, complex composite components. With our unique blend of products – including 3D woven structures, traditional and non-traditional 2D composite structures, and discrete through thickness reinforcement technologies, to name a few – AEC is able to produce composite components and products which meet performance and cost specifications often beyond the reach of metallic or conventional laminated composites.

Job Purpose

The Senior Operations Manager is responsible for leading major segments of plant operations, ensuring safe, efficient, and customer‑focused production of goods. This role oversees multiple production areas or value streams, drives operational strategy, and ensures the organization operates at peak performance in local KPIs. The Senior Operations Manager sets departmental direction, manages Production Managers and Supervisors, leads capacity planning, and ensures new product introductions and processes launch successfully. This position plays a key role in meeting customer needs, executing company policies, and enabling long‑term operational success.

In performing their respective tasks and duties, all employees are expected to adhere to Albany’s current values: Albany Wins Together, Count on Each Other, Own Your Actions, Care About Each Other, and Share Your Enthusiasm. Safety must always come first; we never compromise on safety for the sake of achieving another objective. Employees are also responsible for the health and safety of themselves and each other. 

Key Responsibilities

Safety Leadership

• Champion a culture where safety is the top priority across all production areas.
• Ensure compliance with company safety programs, OSHA regulations, environmental guidelines, and housekeeping standards.
• Lead safety audits, hazard identification, and corrective action planning; ensure supervisor‑level accountability for safety behaviors.

Operational Leadership

• Oversee all or major portions of plant operations, including production planning, daily execution, and long‑term operational readiness.
• Monitor KPI performance, ensuring goals are met or recovery plans are implemented when gaps exist.
• Manage production budgets, bids, and labor/equipment utilization across multiple departments.
• Develop capacity analysis and long‑term resource planning for production growth and stability.
• Lead introduction and startup of new production lines, methods, and products, ensuring proper documentation, training, and readiness.
• Enforce quality practices throughout the plant.
• Maintain compliance requirements according to AS9100 and ISO

Policy, Strategy & Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Interpret and administer policies, processes, and procedures across multiple sections and subordinate work groups.
• Ensure alignment between Operations, Engineering, Quality, Planning, Program Management, Customer Operations, and other departments as applicable.
• Interact frequently with internal personnel and external representatives (customers, community groups, government agencies) to support operational goals.
• Participate and present in internal and external meetings, often addressing operational, scheduling, and customer requirements.

Leadership & Talent Development

• Accomplish results through subordinate Production Supervisors, Managers, and exempt specialist employees.
• Set objectives, expectations, and performance standards for all employees within assigned departments.
• Conduct performance reviews, coaching, and corrective actions; support employee development and succession planning.
• Initiate training plans for production leaders to enhance technical and leadership capabilities.
• Build team cohesion, engagement, and cross‑training to eliminate single points of failure 

Continuous Improvement & Lean Execution

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives using lean manufacturing methods such as 5S, visual management, value stream mapping, waste reduction, and root‑cause analysis.
• Partner with Engineering and CI teams to refine processes and production controls.
• Ensure TPM implementation, readiness, and sustainment across multiple work areas.
• Support operational documentation including process FMEAs, control plans, and standard work.

Customer Focus

• Ensure products and services meet all customer expectations and contractual requirements.
• Engage directly with customers to support program objectives, new product introduction, and escalated operational issues.

Financial & Performance Management

• Ensure departmental performance aligns with business plans, cost targets, and operational KPIs.
• Maintain accuracy in ERP/SAP transactions and production reporting.
• Lead Tier performance meetings, driving action and accountability across departments.

Collaboration and On-Site Presence

• Frequent ad hoc meetings to troubleshoot and identify solutions
• On-demand availability to strategize with cross-functional teams

Qualifications

Minimum Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, Industrial Management, Engineering, or related field.
• 7+ years of progressive leadership experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated success leading supervisors or managers in complex operations.
• Experience in continuous improvement and lean manufacturing applications.

Skills & Abilities

• Excellent leadership, communication, and coaching skills.
• Strong business acumen and ability to manage budgets, bids, and strategic plans.
• Working knowledge of SAP or equivalent ERP system.
• Ability to read engineering drawings and understand manufacturing documentation.
• Strong analytical, decision‑making, and problem‑solving capability.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Aerospace manufacturing experience and understanding of government or commercial customer requirements.
• Program Management experience or familiarity with customer program deliverables.

Working Conditions

• Work around noise, dust, temperature variations, manufacturing equipment, and other typical production exposures requiring appropriate PPE.
• Must be available for extended hours or modified schedules based on business needs.
• May require occasional travel.

Physical Requirements

• Standing and walking up to approximately 75% of workday
• Sitting, bending, twisting, leaning up to approximately 25% of workday
• Reaching and overhead reaching for parts, materials, tools and equipment
• Gripping, grasping, pinching and manipulating of parts and tools frequently
• Visual inspection of materials and part variations frequently or as required
• Differentiate materials, components, marking or variations as required
• Occasional lifting of materials up to 35 lbs
• May be required to pass an eye exam.
• Safely respond to and support alarms, evacuations, spills, injuries or other injuries as trained and required.

Employment Requirements

• For AEC Department of Defense facilities, it is a requirement to hire U.S. Persons. Visa sponsorship is not offered.
• For commercial facilities, non-US persons may be eligible.

This position is open to all qualified individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or other protected status. We are committed to providing equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities