Manufacturing Operations Leader -- Surface Prep & Coatings

Job Description

Job Description Manufacturing Operations Leader — Surface Prep & Coatings

Company: Orion Castings | Site: JEl Finishing Plant | Location: Chelmsford, MA

Facility focus: High-spec surface preparation and finishing for military, aerospace, and medical device customers in an AS9100 and NADCAP certified environment.

What you'll own

• Business alignment: Guide plant leadership to hit monthly budget/profit goals and divisional quality plans.
• Flow and quality: Enforce synchronous manufacturing to maximize throughput and first-pass yield on painting and finishing lines.
• Lean engine: Plan and lead Gemba walks; advance continuous improvement and corporate compliance.
• Audit readiness: Enforce procedures/work instructions and manage AS9100/NADCAP action items to completion.
• Zero-defect assurance: Lead APQP and corrective-action meetings; assign owners and drive on-time closure.
• Customer and vendor interface: Be the operations point of contact; protect 100% on-time delivery with immediate, documented countermeasures when needed.
• Culture and coaching: Maintain a strong presence on the floor; mentor supervisors; build an inclusive, high-performance team.

What success looks like

• Stable, repeatable processes with synchronized flow across coating operations.
• Third-party audit results with rapid action-item closure and zero major nonconformances.
• Consistent on-time delivery to demanding aerospace, defense, and medical programs.
• Monthly financial targets met through disciplined cost control and productivity gains.

What you bring

• 10+ years of manufacturing leadership experience.
• Strong preference for direct exposure to AS9100 and NADCAP certified operations.
• Knowledge of industrial paint/coating/finishing (surface prep, liquid, powder, or specialized military/medical finishes).
• Track record leading Gemba and CI initiatives with measurable results.
• Confidence working with high-spec customers and supply partners.
• Ability to manage complex task loads and tight lead times.

Leadership DNA

• Influence: Establish credibility quickly; elevate standards; modernize practices.
• Development: Coach and mentor; facilitate teams; manage performance.
• Collaboration: Build trust across operators, engineers, and executives.
• Organizational savvy: Navigate complex dynamics; communicate operations clearly.

Analytical and financial acumen

• Advanced problem solving for bottleneck removal and decision-making under pressure.
• Ownership of plant P&L drivers and cost containment.
• Ethics, integrity, safety, and results-focus are nonnegotiable.

Tools

• Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
• Minitab for statistical analysis

Compensation and schedule

• Salary: $92,200 – $120,300
• Schedule: First Shift

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, and more
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• 11 Paid Company Holidays
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Paid company training
• Career advancement opportunities

You should be proficient in

• Leadership / People Management
• Supervisory Experience
• National Aerospace and Defense Contractors Accreditation Program (NADCAP)
• Experience in a Manufacturing Environment
• AS9100 Experience