Job Description

Director of Operations (Project FAST)

Date: Mar 4, 2026

Location:Garden Grove, CA, US

Company: GKN Aerospace Careers

Fantastic challenges. Amazing opportunities.

GKN Aerospace is reimagining air travel: going further, faster and greener! Fuelled by great people whose expertise and creativity sets the standards in our industry, we’re inspired by the opportunities to innovate and break boundaries. We’re proud to play a part in protecting the world’s democracies. And we’re committed to putting sustainability at the centre of everything we do, opening up and protecting our planet. With over 16,000 employees across 33 manufacturing sites in 12 countries we serve over 90% of the world’s aircraft and engine manufacturers and achieved sales of £3.35 bn.in 2023. There are no limits to where you can take your career.

Job Summary

Lead the operational launch of a new manufacturing facility, ensuring seamless integration of systems, team development, and delivery of customer requirements. Provide executive-level leadership across multiple work centers to drive performance in safety, quality, delivery, and financial. Serve as the primary interface with customers, third parties, and local agencies, ensuring compliance, stakeholder alignment, and long-term business success.

Job Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute operating and strategic plans to support successful implementation and long-term growth.
• Build and foster a high-performance leadership team and culture of continuous improvement.
• Serve as a change agent, driving simplification, standard work, lean principles, and process improvement.

Operational Execution

• Lead cross-functional operations including manufacturing, engineering, supply chain, quality, testing, and facilities.
• Provide day-to-day leadership to operations teams managing cost, quality, and schedule.
• Oversee facility setup, equipment installation, and product line transfers in alignment with lean systems and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure delivery of business-level results across safety, quality, delivery, cost, and inventory metrics.

Customer & Stakeholder Engagement

• Build strategic relationships with external customers and internal stakeholders across all levels.
• Establish communication links and credibility throughout the buying chain.
• Interface with program managers to ensure alignment with customer schedules and deliverables.

Financial & Compliance Oversight

• Manage operational budgets and support financial goals in collaboration with finance team.
• Maintain a safe workplace  and ensure compliance with municipal, state and federal regulations and statutes spanning Environmental, Health and Safety.

Team Development & Talent Management

• Build and lead a highly engaged team; ensure they have what they need to be successful; and keep them safe to deliver the highest quality aerospace transparencies on time to our customers.
• Create and sustain a culture aligned with our "Great Place to Work" values by role-modeling behaviors, motivating, and recognizing team contributions.
• Partner with HR to support talent acquisition, workforce planning, and team development.
• Lead, coach, and develop project team members, fostering a culture of accountability and excellence.

Job Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, or related technical field.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in manufacturing environments.
• 5+ years of senior-level operational leadership experience.
• Experience in aerostructures and/or assembly.
• Experience launching new products and facilities, including AS9102 first article processes.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing operations: capacity planning, SIOP, workforce planning, capital equipment.
• Willingness to travel up to 25%.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen per ITAR regulations to comply with export compliance requirements, with ability to obtain a Department of Defense security clearance if needed. 

Preferred

• Master’s degree in Engineering or Business.
• Previous P&L ownership experience.
• Experience with government contracting and accounting (cost-plus, earned value, firm fixed price).
• Experience in matrixed organizations and high-profile project environments.
• Relentless, results-driven performer with a continuous improvement mindset.
• Strong business acumen and operational leadership; known for problem-solving and strategic execution.
• Superior interpersonal and communication skills; able to adjust messaging to diverse audiences.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive transformational change.
• Customer-focused with a commitment to quality and delivery excellence.
• Capable of leading organizations from startup through rate production.

Compensation Data

Salary Range:  $184,977 - $231,221

We’ll offer you fantastic challenges and amazing opportunities. This is your chance to be part of an organisation that has proven itself to be at the cutting edge of our industry; and is committed to pushing the boundaries even further.  And with some of the best training on offer in the industry, who knows how far you can go?

A Great Place to work needs a Great Way of Working

Everyone is welcome to apply to GKN.  We believe that we can only achieve our ambitions through a coming together of diverse minds who enjoy collaborating in an inspirational environment. Through our commitment to diversity, inclusion and belonging and by living our five powerful principles we’ve created a culture where everyone feels welcome to contribute.  It’s a culture that won us ‘The Best Workplace Culture Award’.  By embracing and celebrating what makes us unique we encourage everyone to bring their full self to work.

We’re also committed to providing an accessible recruitment process, so if you require reasonable adjustments at any stage during our recruitment process please get in touch and let us know.

We are the place where human dreams, plus human endeavour, shape the future of aerospace innovation and technology.​
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Nearest Major Market: Orange County
Nearest Secondary Market: Los Angeles

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