The Operations Subject Matter Expert (SME) is responsible for leading cross-functional operational recovery efforts to return critical programs and projects from Red/Yellow status to Green status by driving schedule adherence, process improvement, resource optimization, and execution discipline. This role serves as a hands-on operational leader working across manufacturing, engineering, supply chain, quality, customer, and program management platforms to identify constraints, remove bottlenecks, implement corrective actions, and restore customer confidence.
Assess current project performance, identify root causes of schedule delays, and develop corrective action plans that return assigned programs to Green status against schedule, cost, quality, and delivery metrics.
Establish and manage recovery schedules with clear milestones, ownership, priorities, accountability, and executive-level visibility.
Lead coordination across manufacturing, engineering, procurement, supply chain, quality, customer support, and program management teams to align priorities and execution activities.
Drive daily, weekly, and monthly execution reviews to monitor recovery plan progress, remove barriers, mitigate risks, and escalate critical issues impacting customer commitments.
Evaluate production flow, capacity constraints, staffing requirements, material availability, supplier readiness, and inventory planning to improve on-time delivery performance.
Apply Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, Six Sigma, and operational excellence principles to implement sustainable process improvements and prevent future schedule degradation.
Strong knowledge of manufacturing operations, production planning, scheduling, supply chain management, quality systems, program management, and operational execution in complex technical environments.
Working knowledge of root cause and corrective action, risk registers, recovery action tracking, ERP/MRP systems, production management tools, supplier recovery, and customer escalation management.
Knowledge of aerospace, defense, advanced manufacturing, industrial manufacturing, or highly regulated operational environments is preferred.
Data-Driven Decision Making, Strategic Problem Solving, Change Management, and Customer-Focused Execution
EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Business, or related field required; equivalent experience may be considered.
Minimum 15+ years of operations, manufacturing, supply chain, program management, or operational leadership experience required.
Demonstrated success recovering underperforming programs, leading cross-functional teams, managing customer escalations, and returning complex projects to schedule.
Preferred qualifications include Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt, PMP certification, experience supporting large-scale operational turnaround initiatives, and knowledge of ERP/MRP or production management tools
WORKING CONDITIONS
Work Environment: This position may work in a professional office, manufacturing, production, customer, supplier, or program execution environment depending on project requirements.
Physical Demands: This role may require sitting or standing for extended periods, walking through production or operational areas, attending meetings, reviewing data, and engaging with teams across multiple work areas.
Hours of Work: Full-time contract schedule; hours may vary based on program recovery needs, customer commitments, production schedules, and project urgency.
Travel Requirements: None
WORK AUTHORIZATION/SECURITY CLEARANCE
Must be authorized to work in the United States. U.S. citizenship or eligibility to support defense, aerospace, or customer-controlled programs may be required depending on assignment. Security clearance eligibility may be required for certain customer or program environments.
