Aerojet Rocketdyne is a world-recognized aerospace and defense leader providing propulsion and energetics to support space, missile defense, and cutting edge advanced programs. We offer a complete line of propulsion products for launch vehicles, missile defense, and advanced hypersonic propulsion.  Visit our website at www.rocket.com for more information on how our employees Power the Future.

Aerojet Rocketdyne is seeking a strong leader to serve as the Senior Operations Director & Site Leader at our Canoga Park, CA site. This leader will report to the Vice President of Operations for the Space Business Unit. The site is the headquarters of the Aerojet Rocketdyne’s Space Business Unit and plays a critical role enabling the nation’s defense and space exploration.  The site manufactures, tests and delivers large liquid rocket engine components as well as pressure-fed rocket engine systems supporting both space and defense applications.  This position leads a multi-shift operation of more than 350 people and will require significant growth for the foreseeable future.

What we can offer you:

Inspiring Company Culture - Our people support each other and work together to leave an indelible impact on our nation’s aerospace and defense legacy. Read more about our culture: Careers | Aerojet Rocketdyne.

Rest and Relaxation - 3 weeks of vacation annually plus 48 hour annual sick allowance. 9/80 schedule at most locations, providing for longer weekends. Annual year end company closure, plus company paid holidays.

Comprehensive Health Benefits - Medical, Dental, Vision, Health Savings Accounts, and Wellness.

Prepare for the Future - 401(k) with company match.

Professional Development - Tuition assistance program, Employee recognition program, and Leadership development program.

Employee Resource Groups – Local and Enterprise employee-led volunteer groups to create community, awareness, impact, and to support a culture where everyone belongs. 

This position has two primary functions:

1. (~90%) Managing all aspects of Site operations with direct responsibility for: manufacturing, facilities, assembly, manufacturing engineering, component test and tooling.  This position also regularly interfaces with program management, supply chain, logistics, material planning, scheduling, quality, HR, engineering, security, communications and safety.
2. (~10%) Leading the LA Site ensuring program and COE leadership work together to assure the site is achieving all company and business unit objectives, complying with all policies, procedures and regulatory policies, while creating a positive collaborative team environment through the promotion of Company values.

While performing these two functions, this position will be responsible for:

• Driving a safety first culture and providing a safe working environment that is regulatory compliant and results in zero injuries. This position shall also ensure the Site has an effective SH&E council and the site is meets Safety, Health and Environmental performance objectives.
• Overall execution of program and enterprise objectives from a site perspective in order to meet customer and shareholder needs in an ethical and responsible manner following Aerojet Rocketdyne’s policies and procedures.
• Managing both direct and overhead budget performance in order to meet or exceed financial requirements necessary to ensure profitable growth.
• Executing the staffing plan to meet business demands and future growth opportunities.
• Establishing and executing a site communication plan that keeps employees informed of important events and initiatives while being consistent with company policy and guidelines. The position shall drive employee engagement across the site using employee recognition events and community service events and actively address employee concerns.
• Establish and maintain a purposeful process with a regular cadence that will identify and develop key talent to address anticipated technical and leadership needs, including both people leaders and program leaders.
• Creating and perpetuating a continuous improvement culture through the rigorous application of ARBOS and other continuous improvement techniques and tools. The position shall define, drive and communicate the site’s affordability improvement plan resulting from the use of ARBOS and continuous improvement tools.
• Managing and integrating the site’s annual capital plan that aligns with company business objectives and long term performance improvement goals and objectives.
• Defining and communicating the site’s goals in support of overall company goals, performance improvement expectations and strategic plans.
• Developing and implementing a strategic plan to improve factory efficiency and optimize factory flow and resource utilization in highly variable, high value add, mixed model, medium and low volume environment.
• Develop long term strategic plan to evolve factory capabilities and capacity to meet future product demands.

Requires a Bachelor's degree in an appropriate discipline and fourteen (14) years of progressively responsible experience in a directly related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience, with at least 8 years of management of a discipline/department/business unit. Demonstrated leadership and management skills, including the ability to plan, organize, coordinate, direct and control activities of the assigned organization are expected. 

Essential qualifications:

• Must have a proven history of safely delivering quality product, on-time, at cost and to customer requirements
• Must be process oriented, data driven and customer focused as well as have a track record of establishing, driving to and achieving stretch goals
• Must be able to successfully support both on-going, franchise production as well as new product development programs in the same facility with the same personnel.
• Must have a demonstrated track record of establishing a positive organizational culture that includes trust and inclusivity, building a strong team environment and successfully developing talent.
• Must have a history of building teams that drive ownership, decision making and root cause analysis/corrective action implementation to the lowest level of the organization.
• Must have experience establishing and continually improving a culture of safety excellence.
• Must have a demonstrated history of getting employees to understand the importance of their work as it relates to the operational mission and of driving quality throughout the process while continuously improving quality performance in order to deliver customers flawless product
• Must have a demonstrated history using LEAN, Six Sigma or equivalent to establish a culture of continuous improvement.
• Must have a track record of tactical excellence delivering on short term goals and metrics as well as implementing a strategic vision that achieves continuous improvement in safety, quality, productivity, cost and schedule performance.

Desired qualifications:

• Desirable to have site or plant leadership experience in the aerospace or defense industry or equivalent.  Experience with program management, IPT lead, or other manufacturing lead a plus. 
• Desirable to be green belt or black belt certified with demonstrated ability to solve complex problems that bring value to the business.

May be required to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance at the appropriate level.  Requires U.S. Citizenship. Must also be able to satisfy federal government requirements for access to government information, and having dual citizenship may preclude you from being able to meet this requirement.

Work Environment/Physical Requirements: 

Employees in these positions must possess mobility to work in a standard manufacturing and/or office setting and to use standard office equipment, including a computer; stamina to sit and to maintain attention to detail despite interruptions; may occasionally lift/carry/push/pull up to 15 pounds; may require minimal walking, climbing, stooping, crouching, and/or bending; and vision to read printed materials and a computer screen, and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. May require the ability to travel by air or auto. May require the use of personal protective equipment such as safety glasses, safety shoes, and shop coat. These positions may be expected to work varying shifts and hours to ensure successful operation of activities in the organization.