Senior Manager Operations

Since 2018, Elevate Aircraft Seating has been enhancing the passenger experience through innovative aircraft seat design and manufacturing. With locations in California, Washington, and Germany we are guided by creativity, collaboration, and a shared commitment to quality.

We are looking for a skilled Senior Manager Operations to join our team in Santa Maria, CA. This is an on-site position based in Santa Maria, CA. We value teamwork, inclusivity, and continuous professional development, and we offer competitive benefits along with opportunities for growth.

Export Control Requirements:

This position must meet U.S. export control compliance requirements. To meet U.S. export control compliance requirements, a “U.S. Person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. §120.62 is required. “U.S. Person” includes U.S. Citizen, U.S. National, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee.

JOB SUMMARY

The Senior Manager, Operations is responsible for leading and overseeing manufacturing operations and maintenance activities to ensure the achievement of safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost objectives. This role drives operational performance through effective resource planning, workforce development, and process optimization while supporting continuous improvement initiatives. Partnering cross-functionally, the Senior Manager implements operational strategies, promotes accountability, and ensures efficient manufacturing execution aligned with organizational and customer objectives.

SUMMARY OF JOB DUTIES - Essential Functions (Other duties and projects may be assigned or requested.)

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

Operational Leadership & Performance

• Lead and oversee daily manufacturing operations and maintenance activities to achieve safety, quality, on-time delivery, productivity, labor efficiency, scrap reduction, and work-in-process (WIP) inventory objectives.
• Establish, monitor, and drive accountability for key operational performance indicators (KPIs), implementing corrective actions to address performance gaps.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives by identifying operational inefficiencies, collaborating with relevant stakeholders, and implementing improvements within manufacturing operations.

Production Planning & Execution

• Oversee all phases of manufacturing operations to ensure production activities comply with established procedures, quality standards, and approved manufacturing processes.
• Plan, coordinate, and optimize departmental activities, production schedules, and resource allocation to meet customer requirements and business objectives.
• Evaluate production capacity, workforce requirements, and operational constraints to ensure effective utilization of labor, equipment, and manufacturing resources.

People Leadership & Workforce Development

• Lead, develop, and manage production and associated functional teams, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and operational excellence.
• Oversee workforce planning, recruitment, onboarding, training, and employee development to maintain operational readiness.
• Establish performance expectations, evaluate employee performance, and partner with Human Resources on coaching, employee relations, corrective actions, and performance management.

Quality, Safety & Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure manufacturing operations adhere to established Quality Management System (QMS) requirements, AS9100 standards, applicable aerospace regulations, and internal policies and procedures.
• Promote a culture of safety, quality, and compliance by ensuring employees are appropriately trained and consistently follow established manufacturing procedures.

Financial Management & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Manage departmental budgets, monitor operational expenditures, and implement cost-control measures to support financial objectives.
• Partner with Supply Chain, Planning, Quality, Engineering, Program Management, and other stakeholders to resolve operational challenges, align production priorities, and meet customer delivery commitments.

Other

• Maintain a safe, secure and legal work environment, adhering to all Company policies and procedures.
• Protect the confidentiality of the Company’s information and products.
• Contribute to team efforts by performing other job-related duties and projects as assigned or requested.

GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS – Education, Knowledge, and Experience

Education:

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent required.
• Associate degree, technical/trade certification, or bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Engineering, Operations Management, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.

Experience:

• 10+ years of progressive experience in manufacturing operations, including 5+ years in a leadership role overseeing production teams, operational performance, and manufacturing processes.
• Demonstrated success managing manufacturing operations in a complex, quality-driven production environment, with a focus on improving safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost performance.
• Proven ability to lead supervisors or managers, develop high-performing teams, and drive operational improvements across multiple manufacturing functions.

Skills:

• Strong leadership and people management skills, with the ability to develop teams, establish accountability, and manage employee performance.
• Proficiency in manufacturing operations, production planning, workforce allocation, and capacity management.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to interpret operational KPIs and implement effective corrective actions.
• Knowledge of budget management, cost control, and resource optimization within a manufacturing environment.
• Effective communication, organizational, and cross-functional collaboration skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and support business objectives.

Preferred Skills/Experience:

• Experience in aerospace manufacturing, aircraft interiors, or other highly regulated manufacturing environments, with knowledge of AS9100 and Quality Management Systems (QMS).
• Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience utilizing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and manufacturing performance reporting tools.

Other:

• Extended or irregular hours may be required.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States.
• Elevate Aircraft Seating is an “at-will” employer; employment is at the mutual consent of both the employee and the employer, and may be terminated at will for any reason, with or without cause, at any time during employment with the Company.
• As business conditions warrant a change in the operating necessities of the Company, all employees are expected to react productively, handle other essential tasks assigned now or in the future.
• Tasks may vary slightly based on products produced at a division.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSE

• N/A

SUPERVISION PROVIDED TO THE POSITION

• Direction is provided for assignments in terms of desired outcome (goals), timing and budget.? Work is reviewed or measured in terms of meeting organizational objectives and schedules.

LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITY

• Provides leadership, coaching, and direction to operational personnel to achieve organizational goals, operational performance objectives, and budgetary targets. Responsible for employee development, performance management, and building organizational capability.

PROBLEM SOLVING

• Develop and implement solutions to complex operational challenges that are consistent with organizational objectives and established business practices.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

• Ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
Elevate Aircraft Seating offers competitive wages and benefits to recognize employees for their work. The base pay offered will vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, location, experience and take into account internal equity.

Salary Range Transparency: $125,500 - $185,000

Featured Benefits:

• Generous 401(K) matching with immediate eligibility and vesting
• 3 weeks of Paid Time Off
• 12 paid holidays
• Affordable health care plans for yourself and your family
• And so much more!

Other Perks:

• Supportive workplace environment with a team-oriented culture
• Potential for growth within organization