Director Operations

Leonardo DRS Land Systems is seeking a full time Director Operations for our Bridgeton, MO facility. The Director of Operations will lead all production and operational functions for our Bridgeton Land Systems Division. Reporting directly to the Vice President of Operations and serving as a key member of the Operations Leadership Team, this role is critical to ensuring seamless execution of manufacturing, assembly, integration, testing, and troubleshooting of advanced electrical components and systems. The Director will drive operational excellence by optimizing processes, enforcing rigorous quality standards, and providing strong cross-functional leadership to meet customer expectations and strategic business goals. This role is also responsible for managing and optimizing the group's operating budget, including expense forecasting, performance tracking, and cost-control implementation to ensure financial targets are consistently met.

• Strategic Leadership: Develop and implement operational strategies aligned with company objectives, driving growth, cost-effectiveness, and quality in all areas of manufacturing and production.
• Manufacturing Oversight: Manage all operational activities including machining, wire harness assembly, sub-system integration, and system-level builds, ensuring efficiency and on-time delivery.
• Financial Management: Responsible for overseeing the group's operating budget, including expense forecasting, resource allocation, performance tracking, and strategic investments to ensure achievement of financial targets.
• Testing & Quality Control: Oversee comprehensive electrical and functional testing procedures, root-cause analysis, and troubleshooting for both production and field-return units. Drive a zero-defect culture through continuous quality improvement initiatives.
• Process Optimization: Implement lean manufacturing principles, Six Sigma practices, and automation opportunities to enhance throughput, reduce waste, and optimize resource utilization.
• Team Leadership & Development: Manage and mentor a team of production supervisors, engineers, technicians, and support staff. Ensure a culture of safety, accountability, and professional development.
• Supply Chain & Inventory Management: Collaborate with procurement and logistics teams to ensure material availability, cost control, and inventory accuracy to support uninterrupted production.
• Customer Interface & Technical Support: Partner with engineering and program management teams to resolve technical issues, support custom integration projects, and deliver superior quality products.
• Regulatory & Compliance: Ensure all manufacturing operations adhere to industry standards and regulatory requirements (e.g., ISO 9001, AS9100, etc.).
• Additional Responsibilities:
• Participate in the preparation and/or review of proposals for new business based upon RFP/RFQ requirements
• Engage in the typical responsibilities or a manager requiring planning, evaluating, organizing, integrating, and controlling
• May also have supervisory responsibility involving staffing, conducting performance appraisals, training and developing subordinates, promotions, salary increases, terminations, disciplinary actions, etc
• Support, communicate, reinforce and defend the mission, values and culture of the organization
• Attend appropriate customer and business meetings
  

• Bachelor's degree in Operations, Engineering or related discipline with a minimum 10 years of related experience
• People management skills and experience
• Demonstrated performance implementing continuous improvement initiatives
• Proven track record solving complex issues, driving risk assessments, root cause evaluations and red to green action planning
• Excellent leadership and communication skills