Director of Operations

Founded in 1918, Kearfott Corporation, a global Aerospace and Defense supplier for over 100 years, is a leader in the design and manufacture of precision motion control products and inertial navigation components. Kearfott has a very long history of innovation and excellence and is the go-to brand for many of our global clients. Kearfott is trusted, respected and plays a vital role in the success of America's aerospace and defense industries. With over a century of expertise & experience, Kearfott is dedicated to providing quality, reliability, and cutting-edge technology to customers worldwide to meet their sea, land, air, and space navigation and guidance requirements.

Kearfott offers a comprehensive benefits package including a 401K, and Tuition Reimbursement. We offer a 9/80 schedule with every other Friday off, and flexible work options for most positions.

We are looking for talented individuals who want to be part of a world-class work force. Join Kearfott and become part of a company that is recognized for technical expertise and respected world-wide as a 'full service' provider.

For more information visit our website at www.kearfott.com

Director of Operations - Kearfott's Guidance and Navigation Division

Responsibilities:

• Provide management leadership for NJ manufacturing operations.
• Ensure shipments are on time and meet customer requirements and expectations for quality and performance.
• Lead yield and cost improvement initiatives to meet or exceed business targets.
• Lead the organization in the development of manufacturing standards, methods, metrics, and processes to continuously improve operational performance.
• Support and contribute to Root Cause/Corrective action initiatives, the Six Sigma Council, Green Yellow and Black Belt programs, 5S, Lean, and other manufacturing excellence toolsets.
• Provide leadership and coaching to all Operations associates to ensure understanding and attainment of performance objectives.
• Foster a continuous improvement culture assuring buy-in and ownership at all levels of the organization.
• Identify and implement best practices across the site.
• Ensure compliance with company policies and procedures, especially those pertaining to safety. Must take an active role in safety awareness and accident prevention.
• Talent management - assess current team members, identify needs, hire new employees and develop current employees to ensure adequate "bench strength" and continued development and advancement of top talent within the organization.

Critical Competencies:

• Outstanding leader with excellent communication and motivational skills.
• Drives for performance, meets commitments, and plans for contingencies.
• Organized, and is capable of multitasking and setting priorities.
• Makes timely, effective decisions, using financial and quantitative data.
• Develops individuals and teams by mentoring, coaching, and empowering.
• Advocates continuous learning.
• Demonstrates a commitment to Quality and Continuous Improvement.
• Thinks strategically and "out of the box".
• Possesses interpersonal skills, cross-cultural sensitivity and a sense of humor.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop direct reports.
• Non-political and works well with other functional leaders
• Health and safety conscious.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or other scientific discipline, advanced technical degree or MBA preferred.
• Minimum 10 years' operational leadership experience in the optics/photonics industry. Experience in other high technology process intensive industries will be considered.
• Military/aerospace manufacturing and supply chain experience is preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years management responsibility for low volume high mix supply chain and planning organizations.
• Hands on ERP/MRP experience in a project-based environment highly preferred.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills with the ability to communicate effectively with all levels of the organization.
• Proven ability to work as a collaborative member of a site leadership team both in the development of strategies that benefit the business and in the deployment of tactics that align and engage the organization.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the US, visa sponsorship not available.
• Ability to obtain a US government security clearance is strongly preferred.

Position is 100% on-site

Equal Opportunity Employer/including Disabled/Veterans