Sr Director, Global Operations Leader

About this role

Sr Director, Global Operations Leader Curtiss-Wright is seeking a highly experienced Global Operations Leader to oversee and drive excellence within our Defense Electronics segment across Operations, Supply Chain, Quality, Planning and New Product Introduction functions This Leadership role is pivotal to ensuring the integrity, efficiency, and compliance of our mission-critical manufacturing and delivery processes on a global scale.

LOCATION: Remote/Hybrid (Prefer US East Coast proximity to one of the CW Defense facilities)

Salary Range: $200,000 - $275,000 plus bonus opportunities Please note that the salary range information provided is a general guideline only. Criteria such as the candidate’s qualifications and relevant experience, the scope of the specific position, as well as market and business considerations will be evaluated when extending an offer.

BENEFITS: We Take Care of Our People Paid Time Off I 401K with Employer Match and Profit Sharing I Health and Wellness Benefits I Learning and Development Opportunities I Referral Program I Competitive Pay I Recognition I Employee Stock Purchase Plan   I Inclusive & Supportive Culture *

YOUR CHALLENGE: Reporting to the SVP/GM of Defense Solutions, you will have the opportunity to take on a high-impact, mission-critical role with the opportunity to shape the operational backbone of a global leader in the Aerospace & Defense industry.  Ou will drive the long-range strategic planning process for operations in a global organization in excess of $500m revenue as part of a shared services/center of excellence model. Directs the management of all manufacturing operations, including manufacturing itself, production control, product engineering, manufacturing engineering, equipment engineering, inventory control, potential materials functions, such as purchasing, and shipping/receiving activities.

Key Responsibilities: Global Operations Management • Build and lead a high-performing global operations team, within a matrix structure of business units, with a focus on technical excellence, accountability, and continuous development. • Lead global production, logistics, and facility operations to ensure delivery of complex aerospace and defense systems on time, within budget, and to spec. • Drive operational strategies that align with program execution and customer requirements, including government and military contracts. • Champion a culture of integrity, safety, compliance, and innovation.

Supply Chain & Procurement • Direct global supply chain activities including strategic sourcing, supplier risk management, logistics, and lifecycle sustainment planning. • Develop and maintain supplier relationships with a focus on long-term partnerships, resilience, cost containment, and technology readiness.

Quality & Regulatory Compliance • Ensure compliance with industry and regulatory standards such as AS9100, ISO 9001, ITAR, and DFARS. • Lead and oversee quality management systems to maintain product reliability and customer trust. • Embed a culture of continuous improvement using Lean, Six Sigma, and root cause analysis tools.

New Product Introduction • Develop and implement scalable manufacturing strategies to support rapid and successful ramp-up of new products across global sites • Partner closely with R&D, engineering, supply chain, quality, and regional operations teams to ensure seamless product transitions from development to volume production. • Manage risk assessment and mitigation plans related to NPI, including supply chain constraints, capacity planning, and quality controls

Cross-Functional & Program Alignment • Partner with engineering, program management, contracts, and finance teams to ensure alignment of operational capabilities with customer and program needs. • Support the capture and execution of new business by contributing to proposal development, capacity planning, and capability presentations.

Performance & Risk Management • Define and manage KPIs related to quality, delivery, cost, compliance, and efficiency. • Identify and mitigate operational risks, including geopolitical, cybersecurity, and supply chain disruptions.

WHAT YOU BRING: Our ideal candidate will have deep expertise in regulated environments and a strong track record of leading operations in complex, mission-critical portfolios. • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations Management, or related field (Master’s degree or MBA preferred).

• 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in global operations within the Aerospace & Defense industry.

• Understanding of defense acquisition frameworks and export compliance (e.g., ITAR, EAR).

• Proven track record in managing complex supply chains, regulated production environments, and large-scale transformation initiatives.

• Experience in ERP and business systems integration (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Deltek Costpoint, Teamcenter).

• Strong familiarity with FAA, DoD, NASA, or other regulatory agency standards and expectations.

• Security clearance (or ability to obtain) may be required depending on business unit focus.

Preferred Certifications: • PMP or Program Management credentials

• APICS CPIM/CSCP

• Lean Six Sigma Green/Black Belt

WHO WE ARE: Our Values Environmental, Social and Governance

At Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions, we have a long and rich history as the trusted, proven leader in rugged, reliable, and secure solutions for the defense and commercial aerospace industries. Our employees are the foundation of that success. To learn more, please visit us: https://www.curtisswrightds.com/

#LI-AC1 #LI-REMOTE #LI-HYBRID

No unsolicited agency submittals please.  Agency partners must be invited to participate in a search by our Talent Acquisition Team and have signed terms in place prior to any submittal.  Resumes submitted directly to any Curtiss-Wright employee or affiliate will not qualify for fee payment, and therefore become the property of Curtiss-Wright.  

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