Harvest Floor Operator

Director of Manufacturing – Precision Components & Refurbishment
Location: Montgomery, IL (On-site)
Compensation: $150,000–$200,000 base + bonus potential

Overview

A regulated precision aerospace manufacturing operation is adding a Director of Manufacturing to lead a specialized facility focused on component repair and aftermarket production. The facility serves industries including automotive, aerospace, and medical devices, producing parts that meet or exceed original OEM specifications.

This is a direct report to the VP of Operations and carries full accountability for the production floor, team performance, and operational strategy. The environment is process-driven but entrepreneurial, meaning the right person needs to be equally comfortable building structure and navigating ambiguity. Leadership here operates with high emotional intelligence and an open-door approach, and they are looking for someone who leads the same way.

What the Job Involves

· Lead all manufacturing operations across a facility with 5 direct reports on the production floor

· Maintain full compliance with applicable regulatory certifications and industry requirements

· Develop and execute operational strategies with annual targets tied to financial, customer, process, and organizational goals

· Track KPIs and operational trends, holding the team accountable to performance benchmarks set by senior leadership

· Drive profitability and efficiency through quality execution and strong customer satisfaction

· Collaborate cross-functionally with quality, engineering, materials, and supply chain to keep operations running without disruption

· Build and reinforce a culture rooted in safety, reliability, and continuous improvement

· Support new customer acquisition by ensuring facility capabilities meet and exceed market expectations

What They Need

· BS/BA required, mechanical engineering or a closely related field strongly preferred or an equivalent of 10+ years of Aerospace manufacturing experience

·7+ years of operations leadership experience in a precision, custom, or job shop manufacturing environment

· Aerospace, manufacturing background is required

· Mechanically inclined with a strong grasp of complex, custom manufacturing and refurbishment processes

· High emotional intelligence with the ability to lead through ambiguity and build trust on the floor

· Experience scaling or leading operations in a high-growth environment

· Team-first mindset with the ability to balance strategic thinking and hands-on execution