Sr. Director Operations at Airbus in Kinston, NC

Sr. Director Operations Location: Kinston, NC Airbus is committed to providing reasonable accommodations as an Equal Opportunity Employer to applicants with disabilities. If you require assistance or an accommodation to complete your application, please contact us at USCareers@airbus.com Notice: Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal Notice: Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination  (English) Aviso: Transparencia en el Pago No Discriminación (Spanish) Job Description: Position Summary: An opportunity has arisen for an experienced Head of Operations/Sr Director of Operations to join our growing team. The position holder will have extensive experience of working in a composite production/manufacturing/assembly environment and of leading their team through periods of production rate growth. As well as leading a team of between 150 - 350 shopfloor employees, the successful role holder will provide leadership to their Multi-Functional team members to ensure full adherence & improvement across all areas of Safety, Quality, Cost, Delivery & People. Primary Responsibilities: LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES Lead and manage the Operations & Multi Function team in a composite manufacturing environment. Manage and set priorities for Multi-Functional Teams to ensure aligned support. Provide strategic direction and oversight to production activities of the stations assigned. Actively lead, implement, and continuously improve the routines and standards according to the Airbus Operating System, using data/pareto analysis to address areas of opportunity/greatest importance. Analyze Cost of Non Quality (CNQ) data to identify root cause(s) and eliminate human factor, quality defects that occur in the production/manufacturing/assembly process. Continuously improve and reinforce a quality culture. Ensure fulfillment of legal and airworthiness requirements. Manage departmental budgets/costs in accordance with Annual Operating Plan objectives Lead transformation and continuous improvement initiatives in support of performance improvement Act as a role model and ensure Safety is regarded by all as a top priority and PeopleSafety@work golden rules are effectively communicated and adhered to. Ensure compliance with regards to all relevant Environmental Health & Safety policies and procedures. PEOPLE-FOCUS Contribute to a constant improvement in the working environment for our people by ensuring that our production facilities are best in class & address any improvement opportunities that may support our sustainability & HIGH5 initiatives. Establish expectations for high levels of flexibility and "multiple skill" requirements for the workplace and management. Lead activities to ensure team members remain motivated and engaged while maintaining a positive team spirit Utilise an MFT to improve work flow and enhance existing processes, with particular focus on Safety & Quality. PRODUCTIVITY Ensure delivery of finished product, in-line with agreed Quality gates, to the next step in the production flow. Understand critical path items and any bottlenecks that may be inhibiting our ramp up ability. Drive actions and improvements to ensure successful completion of internal E2E Quality Gates. Ensure Performance Management Center includes PPCB, SQCDP boards, Daily Quality Gate; along with the knowledge transfer and PPS processes. Responsible for the development of resource forecast requirements based on line balancing, activity sequencing of PPCB, and identifying the necessary skill sets required to achieve committed build. Responsible for the prevention and elimination of disturbances in the manufacturing process. Manage cost center to ensure achievement of the planned budgets, including achieving increases in productivity. Perform other duties as assigned Qualified Experience / Skills / Training: Education: Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Quality Management or Aerospace Engineering or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience: Minimum of 10 years’ experience in aviation operations required, with at least 5 years’ of experience in managing and leading in a composite production environment. Leadership experience of Continuous Improvement in aviation is also required. Knowledge, Skills, Demonstrated Capabilities: Knowledge of Production and Quality rules in aviation. Lean Manufacturing Methodologies Communication Skills (Spoken, Written, Influencing, Proficiency in Other Languages): Required: Fluency in written and spoken English Preferred: Fluency in another language (French, German, and Spanish) is highly desirable. Technical Systems Proficiency: SAP, Google Workplace Travel Required: 10% Domestic and International Eligibility: Eligible for employment in the US. Clearance: None. Decision Making, Complexity: Develop short and mid term resource planning scenarios in conjunction with site planning teams Run Daily L3 review for area of accountability and report at daily L4 review. Develop dynamic plans to ensure On time and On Quality delivery of finished work package to internal customer at Quality Gate Meeting. Ensure Problem Solving is launched and completed for repeat Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost and People issues. Manage integrated Multi Functional Team to deliver priorities and work with functional directors to ensure correct support is in place. Organizational information: Direct Reports: Exempt: Up to 15 All In reports:Non-exempt:   Approx 300 Nature of Contacts: Involved communication on a regular basis with internal staff at all levels of the organization including all third party contractors, external suppliers as well as internal Airbus stakeholders. Physical Requirements: Vision: adequate to enter and read material on computer screens.  Able to identify individuals to initiate greetings, the giving of directions and other business interactions and observe activities on the production floor. Hearing: able to hear sufficiently to engage in conversation in office settings.   Able to hear safety alerts and warning signals. Speaking: able to engage in conversations in person and via electronic means and deliver information to groups of varying size with or without amplification in office settings and on the production floor. Equipment Operation: Able to operate a wide range of personal and office electronic equipment.  Familiarity with most production equipment and able to operate many tools. Pushing/Pulling: able to push/pull items in office areas. Sitting: able to sit for extended periods of time at computer and in meetings. Squatting/Kneeling: able to occasionally squat or kneel to retrieve or replace items shelved on bottom shelves. Standing: able to stand for extended periods of time delivering information and observing production activities. Travel: able to travel overseas and domestically sometimes for extended periods of time and on short notice. Walking: able to walk through office and production areas and sometimes on uneven indoor and/or outdoor surfaces. This job requires an awareness of any potential compliance risks and a commitment to act with integrity, as the foundation for the Company’s success, reputation and sustainable growth. Company: Airbus Aerosystems Kinston, Inc Employment Type: US - Direct Hire Experience Level: Professional Remote Type: On-site Job Family: Facility Management and Real Estate ------ Job Posting End Date: 05.21.2026 ------ Airbus provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetics, pregnancy, marital status, veteran status or other legally protected status. In addition to federal law requirements, Airbus complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, demotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, benefits and training. Airbus expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetics, pregnancy, marital status, veteran status or other legally protected status. As a matter of policy, Airbus does not sponsor visas for US positions unless specified. Only applicants with current work authorization will be considered. Airbus does not offer tenured or guaranteed employment. Employment with Airbus is at will, meaning either the company or the employee can terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause, with or without notice. Airbus reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises. This position description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment. By submitting your CV or application you are consenting to Airbus using and storing information about you for monitoring purposes relating to your application or future employment. This information will only be used by Airbus. Airbus is committed to achieving workforce diversity and creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome all applications irrespective of social and cultural background, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation or religious belief. Airbus is, and always has been, committed to equal opportunities for all. As such, we will never ask for any type of monetary exchange in the frame of a recruitment process. Any impersonation of Airbus to do so should be reported to emsom@airbus.com.