Operations Manager - Fighter Jets, Aerospace Materials

Operations Manager, Fighter Jets – Aerospace Materials

Sylmar, CA

Are you a passionate and driven Operations Manager who is looking to take their career to new heights?  Then look no further than this opportunity with PPG's Aerospace business! We are looking for someone who is able to see the future of aviation transparencies and take our exceptional products to the next level!

In the Operations Manager, Fighter Jets – Aerospace Materials, you will be responsible for leading the manufacturing value stream for F-35 transparency products and overseeing final assembly operations across additional fighter aircraft programs. This role owns the end-to-end execution of the F-35 value stream from post-Start Center operations through final product delivery, excluding Start Center operations and coatings application processes.

As the operational leader for one of the organization's most strategically important product lines, you will be accountable for ensuring the value stream consistently delivers world-class performance in Safety, Quality, Delivery, Inventory, and Cost (SQDIC). The position requires a highly capable leader who can balance strategic improvement initiatives with disciplined daily execution while driving flow, productivity, schedule attainment, and customer satisfaction.

The Operations Manager, Fighter Jets will champion Lean Manufacturing principles and lead continuous improvement efforts across the value stream. Success requires a strong understanding of takt-based manufacturing, value stream management, Kaizen methodologies, Six Sigma tools, and operational excellence practices. As this leader you will build and sustain a culture of accountability, standardized work, continuous improvement, and customer-focused execution.

Approximately 80% of the role is dedicated to driving strategic performance improvements and value stream optimization, while 20% focus on the daily management of operations and execution.

This is an On-site role working from the Sylmar, CA facility.  In this role you will report to the Plant Manager.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the Fighter Jet value stream — from post-Start Center operations through final assembly and shipment — to achieve best-in-class performance across Safety, Quality, Delivery, Inventory, and Cost (SQDIC) by developing strategic plans, establishing robust KPIs, and aligning operational priorities with customer requirements, program demands, and organizational objectives to drive throughput, profitability, and long-term operational excellence.

• Lead final assembly operations across multiple fighter aircraft programs, including F-35 transparency production, by ensuring rigorous compliance with aerospace manufacturing standards, driving consistency through standard work, and developing manufacturing systems that enable predictable performance, high quality, and efficient product flow while meeting daily production and delivery commitments.

• Champion Lean Manufacturing as the primary operating philosophy by implementing and sustaining Daily Management Systems, Standard Work, Visual Management, Takt-Based Production, Cellular Manufacturing, Value Stream Mapping, and Structured Problem Solving — sponsoring regular Kaizen events and leading value stream transformation initiatives that eliminate waste, improve flow, and increase customer responsiveness.

• Establish and maintain manufacturing systems capable of consistently achieving takt requirements while driving productivity improvements, reducing scrap, rework, and non-value-added activities, optimizing labor and material flow, managing inventory levels, and executing cost reduction initiatives that improve profitability without compromising safety or quality.

• Promote a proactive safety culture and a "Quality First" mindset across all value stream operations by ensuring full compliance with EHS regulations, aerospace quality standards, and customer specifications, while leading hazard elimination initiatives, structured root cause analysis, and partnering with Quality and Engineering to improve first-pass yield, process capability, and overall manufacturing quality performance.

• Support the planning, prioritization, and execution of capital investments and manufacturing improvement projects by partnering with Engineering and Maintenance to implement equipment, tooling, and process enhancements — ensuring all initiatives align with value stream objectives, deliver sustainable business benefits, and support future-state operational readiness.

• Lead daily production execution through structured management reviews, strong floor presence, and data-driven decision making, while coaching and developing Production Managers, Supervisors, Manufacturing Engineers, and Operations personnel through performance management, succession planning, and a culture of accountability, engagement, continuous learning, and leadership excellence. 

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, Business, or other technical/STEM discipline required, Advanced degree preferred.
• Ten (10) or more years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience required.
• Previous Aerospace manufacturing experience strongly preferred.
• Experience managing assembly operations in highly regulated manufacturing environments required.
• Experience in driving operational improvements in Safety, Quality, Delivery, Inventory, and Cost performance required.
• Experience conducting or leading Kaizen events and Lean transformation initiatives highly preferred.
• Prior experience supporting defense, aerospace, or advanced manufacturing programs preferred.
• Only U.S. Citizens, Green Card holders, and political asylees or refugees are eligible to apply

#LI-PRT1

The base salary range for this position is $145,000.00 to $197,000.00, with a possibility of an annual bonus up to 20% of base salary.

PPG offers comprehensive benefits such as Health, Dental, Life, Retirement Plan, Paid Vacation & Holidays, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Disability/Leave, and other Voluntary benefit offerings. Actual benefit offerings confirmed at the time of hire.

About us: 

PPG: WE PROTECT AND BEAUTIFY THE WORLD® 

Through leadership in innovation, sustainability and color, PPG helps customers in industrial, transportation, consumer products, and construction markets and aftermarkets to enhance more surfaces in more ways than does any other company. To learn more, visit www.ppg.com and follow @PPG on X. 

The PPG Way 2030  

We are customer champions 

Proactive. Bold. Trustworthy. Everything we do starts with our customers. We listen, move fast and don’t stop until we solve their biggest challenges. When our customers win, we all grow. 

We act with purpose and speed 

Agile. Data-driven. Empowered. We take smart risks to stay ahead of the competition. We work proactively with agility, using quality data to develop solutions that create value.  

We are excellent operators 

Productive. Collaborative. Accountable. No matter our role, we identify problems, take ownership and always bring solutions. We are both proactive and responsive to drive continuous improvement and deliver results. We support our frontline, the faces of PPG to our customers.   

We compete to win 

Future-focused. Driven. Ambitious. We are passionate about growing our business and winning with our customers. We deliver results, embrace new technologies and leverage agility and speed as strengths. 

We are PPG proud 

Strong. United. Passionate. We work safely, act with integrity and value our diverse perspectives. We celebrate achievements and take pride in the positive impact we create together to protect and beautify the world. 

At PPG we use AI in the hiring process to make the process more efficient. AI tools do not make hiring decisions. You can learn more by going to  https://careers.ppg.com/us/en/candidate-resources.  

PPG provides equal opportunity to all candidates and employees. We offer an opportunity to grow and develop your career in an environment that provides a fulfilling workplace for employees, creates an environment for continuous learning, and embraces the ideas and diversity of others. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, pregnancy, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, age, disability status, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.  

If you need an adjustment due to a disability, please email [email protected]. 

PPG pay ranges and benefits can vary by location which allows us to compensate employees competitively in different geographic markets. PPG considers several factors in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, skill sets, experience and training, qualifications and education, licensure and certifications, and other organizational needs. Other incentives may apply.  
Our employee benefits programs are designed to support the health and well-being of our employees. Any insurance coverages and benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents.  Benefits will be discussed with you by your recruiter during the hiring process. 

PPG values your feedback on our recruiting process. We encourage you to visit Glassdoor.com and provide feedback on the process, so that we can do better today than yesterday.