Chief Operating Officer (COO) / VP Operations / Site Director, Manufacturing

CONFIDENTIAL RETAINED SEARCH | AEROSPACE AND DEFENSE

Search Reference: TNF-COO-2026 | Manufacturing Operations Leadership Mandate

ABOUT THIS SEARCH

Top Notch Finders has been retained on an exclusive and strictly confidential basis to identify a Chief Operating Officer / VP Operations for a well-established aerospace and defense manufacturing organization. To protect the interests of our client and of every candidate who engages with us, the identity of the company and the location of its manufacturing operations are disclosed only to qualified candidates under a confidentiality agreement. All inquiries and applications are received and managed solely by Top Notch Finders.

POSITION SNAPSHOT

• Reports to: CEO or Division President.
• Location: Onsite at the primary manufacturing facility; location disclosed to qualified candidates.
• Clearance: Secret or higher depending on program mix.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The COO/VP Operations leads manufacturing, supply chain, and production operations, with a specific mandate to embed automation and industrial AI into legacy manufacturing environments to scale output amid an acute skilled-labor shortage.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Own end-to-end manufacturing operations, quality, and supply chain performance.
• Lead production rate ramps to meet backlog and new program requirements.
• Drive automation, robotics, and industrial AI adoption on the factory floor.
• Manage supplier risk, material availability, and second-source qualification strategy.
• Ensure compliance with AS9100 and program-specific quality requirements.
• Lead workforce development and skilled-trades pipeline strategy amid labor shortages.
• Partner with Engineering on manufacturability and producibility of new designs.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 15+ years of operations leadership in aerospace/defense manufacturing.
• Demonstrated success leading production rate increases or new program ramps.
• Experience implementing automation and Industry 4.0 technologies in legacy environments.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, or a related field.
• Deep knowledge of AS9100, lean manufacturing, and Six Sigma methodologies.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in private equity-backed industrial platforms.
• Track record managing 800+ person manufacturing workforces.
• Background integrating digital engineering with shop-floor execution.

CONFIDENTIALITY AND HOW TO APPLY

This is a discreet, retained engagement. Your candidacy will never be presented to any organization without your explicit prior authorization, and no application will be visible to the hiring company at this stage. Accomplished operations executives with aerospace and defense manufacturing credentials are invited to submit a resume in confidence through the Top Notch Finders website. Please reference search code TNF-COO-2026 in your submission. Do not include classified or program-sensitive information of any kind in your application materials. Only candidates whose backgrounds align closely with the mandate will be contacted.