Senior Operations Manager - Recorders

Please note: This is an on-site position that requires the selected candidate to work from our Grand Rapids, MI, office. This is not a remote role; we follow a 9/80 onsite schedule, where every other Friday is off.

About Acron Aviation (Avionics):

Acron Aviation designs, engineers, and manufactures certified avionics systems that support safety‑critical flight operations across commercial and military aviation. Our avionics portfolio includes surveillance, recorders, displays, and related systems developed in regulated environments and deployed on aircraft worldwide. We partner closely with operators and OEMs to deliver reliable, certifiable technology throughout the full product lifecycle—from development and qualification through production and aftermarket support. At Acron Aviation, avionics engineering is rooted in technical rigor, operational discipline, and a customer‑first approach to execution.

Job Description:

Acron's vision is to relentlessly reimagine and reshape the value chains by which we deliver results to our customers, suppliers, and stakeholders in pursuit of creating safer skies.  Acron employees strive to achieve world-class results through our values: putting customers first, taking ownership of our results in line with the founder, moving with speed and agility, and speaking candidly.   Operations Managers will earn the respect, trust, and collaboration of the Acron organization through inspirational leadership qualities essential to realizing our vision.  Our leadership, centered on motivating teams and individuals to strive for performance levels perceived as unattainable, will shape culture, instill values, drive innovation, and improve existing business processes, thereby creating value.

Acron seeks an Operations Manager for our Recorders Product Line who thrives in complex, cross-functional environments and is highly skilled in leading a variety of manufacturing-related roles, managing P&L, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow objectives, and applying Continuous Improvement, Lean, and Project Management processes.  This position is part of the Acron Aviation Business Unit located in Grand Rapids, MI.  The role will report directly to the VP/GM for an assigned Product Line.  The position will be 100% on-site and require up to 15% travel. 

The Operations Manager is responsible for the overall performance of Acron's five critical measures: Safety, Quality, Delivery, Financials, and People. The role requires direct leadership of cross-functional operational and manufacturing functions, including Master Scheduling, Planning, Supply Chain, Quality, and Manufacturing. Engineers, Assemblers, and Technicians.  In addition, the role requires influence leadership responsibilities across a variety of support functions outside of operations, including Engineering, Customer Support, Contracts, Sales, and Finance.  

Essential Functions:

• Champion daily continuous improvement and lean initiatives in pursuit of Acron's vision, mission, and strategic objectives.  Provide leadership of daily Gemba walks, real-time problem solving, Kaizen events, 5S, and waste elimination.  Cultivate change-readiness and continue improving mindsets and behaviors across the assigned Product Line. 
• Drive Product Line financial performance of P&L, Balance Sheet, and Cash through established operating systems.   Ensure revenue growth, gross margin expansion, OpEx reductions, EBITDA generation, and working capital reductions.  
• Lead the Sales, Inventory, and Operations Planning (SIOP) process, ensuring alignment of demand, supply, and capacity to meet business goals.
• Oversee daily product line operations, including production scheduling, supply chain management, quality performance, shop floor efficiency, and effectiveness.  Apply systems thinking and leadership of end-to-end operations in pursuit of customer, supplier, and stakeholder objectives.  
• Apply data-driven decision-making and problem-resolution practices through analysis of critical KPIs and variance paretos. 
• Ensure product and process quality through customer issue resolution, supplier quality management, regulatory compliance, and audit readiness.
• Provide leadership to supervisors and teams on the production floor, ensuring communication of business priorities, safe operations, and on-time delivery. 
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Engineering, Finance, Program Management, HR, Sales, and Supply Chain partners to achieve business objectives.
• Build organizational capability through coaching, goal setting, hiring, workforce planning, and development programs.
• Represent the product line in various stakeholder reviews, leadership meetings, and cross-functional business communications.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in business, Operations Management, or related field required; Master’s degree preferred.
• 7+ years of progressive experience in operations, manufacturing, or supply chain leadership.
• Proven track record of managing financial performance (revenue, cost, and working capital).
• Demonstrated experience with lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, and/or Six Sigma methodologies.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and deliver results in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Additional Skills:

• Strong leadership skills with a servant leadership mindset.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence across functions.
• Proficiency in SAP ERP/MRP systems and operations planning tools.
• Analytical and data-driven decision making with financial acumen.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while driving accountability and results.

Working Conditions

• Office and manufacturing floor environment.
• Occasional domestic or international travel may be required.
• Ability to stand, walk, and move within production areas as needed.