Job Title: Director of Operations & Planning
Location: Greater Hartford, CT
Compensation: $150,000 – $170,000 per year
Job Type: Full-Time | On-site | Senior Leadership Role
Overview:
We are seeking a proven Director of Operations & Planning to join our Senior Leadership Team and drive operational excellence across planning, supply chain, and customer service. This role is responsible for leading core business functions including SIOP (Sales, Inventory & Operations Planning), Customer Service, Purchasing, and Shipping & Receiving. The ideal candidate will bring a strong background in production planning within advanced manufacturing—preferably aerospace—and be passionate about aligning people, systems, and processes to exceed customer expectations.
Key Responsibilities:
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Lead, coach, and align department managers and teams across planning, customer service, purchasing, and logistics.
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Own and manage company-wide SIOP (Sales, Inventory & Operations Planning) process.
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Track and report operational KPIs including production output, on-time delivery, inventory turns, scheduling accuracy, and cost performance.
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Issue and manage job travelers/routers to optimize manpower, machine utilization, and material availability.
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Resolve schedule issues and communicate proactively with internal teams and external customers.
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Oversee all customer service functions: contract review, order entry, quoting, negotiations, and proposal submissions.
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Ensure seamless administration of customer contract terms and deliverables.
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Standardize operational workflows using Lean, 5S, and other continuous improvement tools.
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Partner with Human Resources to recruit, train, and retain a high-performing operations team.
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Drive a culture of accountability, collaboration, and urgency throughout the organization.
Requirements:
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Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field; OR 10+ years of experience in a senior production planning or operations leadership role.
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Strong background in forecasting, materials planning, and SIOP implementation.
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Aerospace or high-tech manufacturing experience required.
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Familiarity with manufacturing special processes (e.g., heat treatment, coatings, testing).
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Experience with ERP systems (Epicor preferred) and Microsoft Office tools (Excel, Outlook, Word).
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Strong leadership, negotiation, communication, and analytical skills.
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Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with strict deadlines and evolving priorities.
Physical Requirements:
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Must be able to sit/stand for extended periods and walk throughout a large production facility.
Why Join Us?
This is a key leadership role in a growing, precision-focused manufacturing company. You’ll have the opportunity to directly influence operational success, build scalable systems, and lead a team committed to delivering excellence for every customer.
Apply now to be part of a high-performing leadership team driving strategic growth and operational excellence.
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