Operations Director

At Winchester Interconnect, we always do the right thing, the right way.

Winchester Interconnect is committed to inspiring the most innovative teams. We foster a dynamic, inclusive environment that thrives on collaboration and continuous growth. We hire exceptional people, celebrate wins, empower employee growth, and provide opportunities to thrive. Winchester is where potential transforms into purpose, and every team member plays a vital role in shaping our shared success.

Position Summary:

As the Operations Director of our Garden Grove facility, you will have full ownership of the site's performance and future. You will be responsible for driving world-class execution and fostering a site-wide culture of accountability and continuous improvement. Your primary goal is to lead the team to exceed our customers' expectations for quality, on-time delivery, and technical partnership. You will command a dynamic, high-mix, low-volume (HMLV) manufacturing operation specializing in complex wire harnesses, engineered cable assemblies, overmolded assemblies, and electro-mechanical assemblies.

We are looking for a hands-on, "get stuff done" leader with the strategic vision to build a plan and the operational grit to execute it on the shop floor. The ideal candidate is an expert collaborator, a clear communicator, and a natural team-builder who thrives on solving complex problems. You must be prepared to manage and thrive in a highly entrepreneurial, fast-paced environment where no two days are the same.

This position reports to the VP, Engineered Cables and will strategically manage production flow across multiple shifts to meet customer demands and forecasted deliveries and to drive continuous improvement in product quality, safety, and operational procedures.

Qualifications & Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical field; advanced technical degree highly preferred
• 10-15 years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience with full P&L responsibility
• Engaging personality with the proven ability to build and maintain a collaborative, high-performance team environment
• 5-7 years of direct experience in the interconnect or cable assembly industry
• Deep working knowledge of engineered cable assemblies, wire harnesses, and integrated assemblies; essential experience in space, aerospace & defense applications
• Working knowledge of space and defense customers and harsh environment applications
• Proven track record of implementing change and driving operational improvements in a high-mix, low-volume manufacturing environment, with deep experience in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or other Continuous Improvement methodologies
• Thorough understanding of key quality management systems and compliance, including AS9100, OSHA, DLA MIL standards
• Working knowledge of U.S. defense compliance regulations (ITAR/EAR) is required
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing budgets, forecasts, and strategic capital expenditures
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to engage, present to, and build trust with both technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Strong problem-solving and multitasking skills with a demonstrated ability to prioritize effectively in a fast-paced environment
• Direct experience managing cross-functional teams, including Operations, Production, Supply Chain, Planning, Engineering, and Quality
• Working experience with multicultural organizations and sites preferred
• Proficiency with manufacturing ERP & MRP systems

Our core values - Accountability, Collaboration, and Empowerment (ACE) - are the foundation of how we operate and drive success. You will take ownership of your contributions, collaborate with a team that gets stuff done, and be empowered to innovate and pursue bold initiatives that drive our business forward.

Are You Our Next ACE?

• Own the full P&L for the Garden Grove facility, with primary responsibility for achieving budgeted Revenue, EBITDA, and Operating Income targets.
• Develop and execute the site's Annual Operating Plan (AOP) to profitably drive aggressive annual growth through strategic planning, market expansion, and rigorous operational execution.
• Champion the Winchester culture with a positive, engaged, and infectious attitude, creating a highly collaborative and accountable environment.
• Lead all EHS, Safety, and Training initiatives from the front. You are the site's chief safety officer, responsible for ensuring 100% compliance and awareness.
• Drive a relentless culture of continuous improvement (Lean, Six Sigma) focused on world-class operational performance.
• Lead the daily management of the business through visible Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), focusing on Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost (SQDC).
• Champion initiatives to improve key operational metrics, including On-Time Delivery (OTD), first-pass yields, productivity improvement and efficiency.
• Drive a "zero defect" quality mindset, ensuring rigorous contract review and root-cause corrective action (RCCA) to reduce and eliminate RMAs and CARs, while minimizing labor variance and material scrap.
• Actively participate in NPI projects, key customer negotiations, and engineering requirement reviews to ensure total customer satisfaction.
• Lead by example in collaborating with other Engineered Cables and Winchester business units, holding teams accountable and using data to make informed, enterprise-level decisions.
• Build and strengthen the site's human capital. Proactively manage personnel, implement cross-training programs, and develop a strong leadership pipeline in line of the long-term growth strategy.
• Continuously seek ways to simplify operations, optimize processes, and rationalize costs, investing in production improvements that provide a clear return.
• Manage the site's annual operating budget and capital expenditure (CapEx) plan, ensuring investments and costs are aligned with the strategic plan and within the Delegation of Authority (DOA).
• Empower your team to take decisive action in support of site goals, fostering accountability by incorporating clear objectives and performance-based incentives.

Systems You'll Use:

• Syspro
• Smartviews
• Planful & Various reporting tools
• ADP
• Google Workspace
• Microsoft Office

Pay Transparency:

Winchester Interconnect Corporation is committed to pay transparency. The pay range for this position is $180,000 - $220,000 per year plus 20% AIP. Exact salary will be contingent upon your experience, education, skills, and any other factors Winchester Interconnect Corporation considers relevant to the hiring decision.

For a sneak peek into some of our benefits and to learn more about our career opportunities, click here

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities. In addition to federal law requirements, Winchester Interconnect complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.

Winchester Interconnect expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status.

***Candidate Inquiries Only-No Third-Parties***

Revised-August 2025

Compensation: $180,000 - $220,000 / year