Hiring: Director of Operations Company: Eleven Recruiting Location: Spokane, WA Job Posted Time: 2026-09-13 12:08:42 Employment Type: On-site Target Skills & Keywords : Assembly, Lean Manufacturing About the job Experience: •10+ years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing operations. Required Skills: •Lead all manufacturing, production, supply chain, and facility operations to deliver products on time, on cost, and at the highest quality. •Translate corporate and business objectives into actionable operational strategies and execution plans; contribute to company strategy, growth, and profitability as a key member of the leadership team. •Assume General Manager responsibilities as needed to support business continuity. •Champion and sustain a Lean Manufacturing culture; lead continuous-improvement initiatives — 5S, Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping, Standard Work, Visual Management, RCCA, and waste elimination. •Drive productivity, cost reduction, throughput optimization, and quality through structured CI; establish and manage KPI dashboards and visual performance-management systems. •Ensure all production meets customer, contractual, and regulatory requirements; maintain compliance with AS9100, ISO, FAA, DoD, ITAR, and applicable safety standards. •Oversee quality systems, corrective and preventive action, and audit readiness; ensure a safe working environment and OSHA compliance. •Build, mentor, and develop high-performing operations and manufacturing leadership teams; establish accountability, performance expectations, and development plans. Qualifications: •Proven success driving Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement — 5S, Kaizen, value stream mapping, standard work, waste reduction, and throughput optimization. •In-depth knowledge of aerospace/defense quality systems and regulatory requirements — AS9100, ITAR, and customer-specific compliance standards. •Demonstrated ability to lead complex, multi-disciplinary operations teams and scale manufacturing organizations while maintaining quality and delivery. •Strong financial acumen — operating budgets, capital planning, cost-reduction initiatives, and operational KPIs. •Hands-on ERP/MRP experience for production planning, inventory management, capacity planning, and data-driven decision-making. •Execution-focused leader who balances strategic direction with day-to-day operational leadership in a fast-paced environment. •Excellent communication and leadership skills, building trust and accountability across operations, engineering, quality, and supply chain. •Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business, or a related field. •Hands-on experience leading operations in composite fabrication environments — layup, bonding, curing, trimming, assembly, and inspection. •Ties to — or direct experience within — the commercial and new-space sectors, including new-space primes and their suppliers (strongly preferred by the hiring team). Compensation: •$180,000 - $200,000 / year Interested candidates, please apply directly through the job posting on company's career page or try via AI auto apply on this platform. Don't miss this opportunity to join a forward-thinking team!