Senior Manager, Manufacturing Operations

Beehive Industries is dedicated to Powering American Defense by revolutionizing the design, development, and delivery of jet propulsion systems to support the warfighter. Through the integration of additive manufacturing, the company aims to meet the growing and urgent needs for unmanned aerial defense by dramatically improving a jet engine’s speed to market, fuel efficiency, and cost.  

Founded in 2020, the company is headquartered in Centennial, Colorado, with additional facilities in Knoxville, Tennessee, Loveland Ohio, and Mount Vernon, Ohio. Beehive is committed to grow and advance the defense industrial base while manufacturing exclusively in the USA. This role will be located at our Cincinnati, Ohio facility.

Role Overview 

Beehive Industries is seeking a Senior Manufacturing Operations Manager to lead machining operations, manufacturing engineering, and supporting manufacturing disciplines across the Cincinnati Machining Center of Excellence. This role is responsible for driving operational excellence across the department through subordinate supervisors while executing business priorities, optimizing manufacturing performance, and supporting the industrialization of advanced manufacturing processes. The Senior Manufacturing Operations Manager partners closely with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Production Control, and site leadership to deliver safe, efficient, and scalable manufacturing operations while developing high-performing teams and supporting long-term business objectives.

What You’ll Do...

• Lead machining operations across two facilities through subordinate supervisors while ensuring safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives are achieved

• Directly manage the Manufacturing Engineering team, aligning engineering priorities with production requirements, process development, troubleshooting, and production readiness

• Lead supporting manufacturing functions including deburring, post-processing, and other activities within the machining value stream

• Partner with the Director of Operations to execute site strategy, establish operational priorities, and address key manufacturing risks and opportunities

• Develop and execute operational strategies that improve machining performance, productivity, process consistency, and manufacturing capability

• Lead the industrialization of machining processes supporting components produced from additive manufacturing preforms and billet, transitioning new products from development into stable production

• Develop and execute capacity expansion strategies, including workforce growth, equipment utilization, process improvements, capital requirements, and shift expansion

• Manage the current two-shift operation while developing the organization, leadership structure, and operating systems required to expand into additional shifts

• Partner with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Production Control, and site leadership to align manufacturing execution with business priorities and customer requirements

• Monitor and drive department performance through key operational metrics including throughput, yield, equipment utilization, labor efficiency, on-time delivery, quality, and cost

• Manage department resources, staffing, and operational priorities to ensure efficient execution of production plans and effective utilization of labor and equipment

• Provide leadership, coaching, and development to Operations Supervisors, Manufacturing Engineers, and other manufacturing professionals while building a culture of accountability, technical excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement

• Lead Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and other operational excellence initiatives that improve efficiency, reduce waste, increase capacity, and strengthen manufacturing capability

• Ensure compliance with EHS policies, quality systems, customer requirements, and regulatory standards across machining and supporting manufacturing operations

• Support operational budget planning, labor forecasting, capital planning, and resource allocation to achieve current and future manufacturing objectives

• Identify organizational and capability gaps and develop talent, processes, and infrastructure to support the continued growth of the Cincinnati Machining Center of Excellence

You have...

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing, Engineering, Operations Management, or a related technical field required

• Master's degree in Engineering, Business Administration, Operations Management, or a related field preferred

• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or equivalent continuous improvement certification preferred

Experience

• Typically requires a minimum of 8–12 years of manufacturing experience with at least 5–7 years of progressive leadership experience managing multiple manufacturing functions through supervisors or managers

• Significant experience leading CNC machining operations, manufacturing engineering, or related advanced manufacturing environments

• Experience leading operations within aerospace, defense, additive manufacturing, or other highly regulated manufacturing environments preferred

• Demonstrated success driving operational performance, workforce development, process industrialization, and continuous improvement initiatives

Skills & Competencies

• Extensive knowledge of manufacturing operations, CNC machining, production systems, and operational leadership

• Demonstrated ability to lead multiple manufacturing disciplines through subordinate supervisors and experienced professionals

• Strong financial and business acumen with experience managing departmental budgets, labor planning, and operational resources

• Experience implementing Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and operational excellence initiatives that deliver measurable business results

• Strong analytical, strategic thinking, and decision-making skills with the ability to balance short-term execution and long-term operational objectives

• Excellent leadership, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills with the ability to influence stakeholders across the organization

• Experience utilizing ERP systems, manufacturing software, and operational performance metrics to drive business decisions

• Knowledge of advanced manufacturing technologies, additive manufacturing, and production scaling strategies preferred

• The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government issued security clearance is required. U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance

If this sounds like you, please submit an application with your resume. This could be the opportunity you are looking for to expand your skills, contribute to a winning team, and work with talented people who love what they do and take pride in our mission. 

Beehive Industries offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes group Medical, Dental, Life, and Short and Long-Term disability coverage from day one. We also offer a generous 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with a Company match. Every role at Beehive Industries is bonus eligible and will also receive equity in the company.

Beehive Industries is committed to full compliance with applicable anti-discrimination laws. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We strive to create an inclusive work environment and will not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.