Job Summary: 

The Executive Director, Manufacturing Operations (Value Stream Manager) will provide the overall leadership for the manufacturing of Cirrus’ platform.  This Value Stream Manager will also be responsible for the overall growth of the platform in coordination with the Sales & Marketing and Engineering Value Stream Leaders. This will include the coordination and implementation of new product developments as well as Xi customization programs. 

This role leads the overall SF50 or SR2X Manufacturing value stream from the time the aircraft enters assembly through the Certificate of Airworthiness.  This includes coordination of any new product introduction as well as close collaboration with Manufacturing Engineering and Tooling operations.  Responsibilities include building and developing the SF50 or SR2X manufacturing organization, processes, and procedures to support the company’s strategic direction and establishing initiatives for improvement in safety, quality, cost, delivery, employee satisfaction. Responsible for all aspects of the SF50 or SR2X manufacturing process including resource planning, safety, quality, budgeting, continuous improvement, and execution of the $30+ million annual budget and plan. 

Located in beautiful Duluth, Minnesota, the home to our corporate headquarters, Duluth is a four-season city on the western tip of Lake Superior and was voted Best Town by Outside Magazine. The splendor of the world's largest freshwater lake offers many outdoor activities for adventure or rejuvenation. The North Shore lifestyle is known for its year-round activities, including bicycle and snowmobile trails, kayaking, rock climbing, fishing, hiking, golfing, sailing, and skiing. As a top employer in the area, Cirrus Aircraft was recently named “Best Overall Large Company to Work for in the Northland” and “Best Workplace Culture” by the Duluth News Tribune readers. 

Duties and Responsibilities/Essential Functions 

Establishes Operations standards for safety, quality, cost control, waste reduction, and on-time delivery. Maintains appropriate Manufacturing Engineering participation in design projects including ensuring design meets cost goals, takes advantage of best manufacturing practices, and meets facilities requirements. Ensures concurrent development of tool, process, and facilities planning in conjunction with design or rate change implementations. Conducts tool design, facilities plan, and planning sequence reviews as required. Establish and implement projects in the areas of Lean Manufacturing, Manufacturing Engineering, Product Development and Support, and Tooling. Directs implementation and execution of Operations policies and practices. Recommends and implements strategic changes in Operations strategy. Establishes and maintains critical relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Ensures adequate communication and coordination standards within department areas. Provides status reporting as appropriate to maintain proper communications with other management. Builds, develops, and manages Operations team capable of carrying out needed operations strategies and improving employee satisfaction. Identification and implementation of training requirements and continuous improvement measures for all Operations personnel. Develops and executes to meaningful Safety, Quality, Cost, Delivery, and People Key Process Indicators (KPI’s) setting goals and targets to drive the operation to success. Provides leadership for problem resolution to facilitate faster improvements. Oversee the Operations budget to ensure compliance with organizational expenditure requirements. Ensures compliance with state and federal regulations. Ensures that all assigned work areas are kept clean, organized, and presentable at all times. Creates a culture of continuous improvement and inspires the team around lean initiatives.

Qualifications: 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience:                                                

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing or Aerospace Engineering, Business Administration, or related field with minimum of 12 years of related experience including 7 years of leadership experience.

Additional Knowledge, Skills, or Abilities:

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have:

Proficient at maintaining budgets and cost effectiveness; interprets financial reports and takes appropriate corrective actions. Ability to effectively handle escalations and time critical issues. Remains productive, provides solutions, and meets goals in challenging situations. Skilled at coordinating multiple efforts, organizing, and prioritizing work, communicating technical issues, and leading a team of individuals with differing levels of skill and experience, enabling them to achieve performance and quality standards. Proven ability to coach team members with specific and measurable objectives in areas such as people management, leadership, and quality. Experience confronting performance issues as well as giving rewards and recognition. Can deliver difficult feedback by constructively focusing on improvement. Takes appropriate disciplinary action to handle poor performance.  Is aware of legal ramifications of dismissal. Articulates ideas clearly and concisely in a variety of settings, adjusting the message to match the audience. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Problem analysis and problem resolution at both a strategic and functional level. Operations systems development and deployment. Technical skills in Lean Manufacturing techniques, Kaizen, Process Improvement, materials management, production scheduling and quality systems. Knowledge of typical production processes, procedures, drawings, and specifications. Basic computer skills to include competency in the use of spreadsheets, word processing, and databases. Strong customer orientation. Ability to work within and develop high performance teams; strong team player. Commitment to Company values.

Certificates or Licensures:        

No specific certificates, licenses, or registrations required

Competencies

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies: 

Business Insight: Applies knowledge of business and the marketplace to advance the organizations goals. Financial Acumen: Interprets and applies understanding of key financial indicators to make better business decisions. Strategic Mindset: Sees ahead to future possibilities and translates them into breakthrough strategies. Action Oriented: Takes on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm. Drives Results: Consistently achieves results, even under tough circumstances. Interpersonal Savvy: Relates openly and comfortably with diverse groups of people. Situational Adaptability: Adapts approach and demeanor in real time to match shifting demands of different situations. ABOUT CIRRUS AIRCRAFT     OUR MISSION  To deliver our customers an aviation experience that is the pinnacle of innovation, quality, and safety.     Founded in 1984, the company has redefined performance, comfort, and safety in aviation with innovations like the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System® (CAPS®) – the first FAA-certified whole-airframe parachute safety system included as standard equipment on an aircraft. Worldwide flight time on Cirrus aircraft has passed sixteen million hours, and over 250 people have returned home safely to their families due to the inclusion of CAPS® as a standard feature on all Cirrus aircraft.      OUR BENEFITS   Cirrus offers a competitive benefits package that includes health, dental, life, short and long-term disability insurance, a flexible spending account, a 401K retirement savings plan, voluntary vision, an Employee Referral Incentive Program, and vacation and holiday pay. Additionally, all employees enjoy discounts at the company store and exclusive discounts from our world-class partners, like Garmin, Bose, AT&T, Microsoft, Fastenal, and more.      LIFE AT CIRRUS  Cirrus is dedicated to advancing general aviation as a leading manufacturer of personal aircraft. The Cirrus Flying Club offers employees and their family members the unique opportunity to obtain their private pilot’s license in the comfort of a Cirrus or rent a Cirrus for an impromptu adventure at a significantly reduced rate.     At Cirrus, we are committed to investing in the future of our employees and company by offering professional development and career progression opportunities that include onboarding, recurrent and area-specific training, talent acceleration and leadership development, continuing education, and tuition assistance programs.      We also engage employees by offering several employee and family events throughout the year and the opportunity to participate in activity clubs and community events. From holiday and special occasion celebrations to local runs and barbecues, our team has the opportunity to connect with each other, the community, and our customers.    OF NOTE  Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position.  Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.  Work beyond 40 hours per week may be required.       Cirrus is dedicated to a drug-free work environment that promotes equal employment opportunities. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, national origin, color, age, disability, religion, pregnancy, veteran status, marital and family status, sexual orientation, receipt of public assistance, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.