Director of Manufacturing

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