Director of Operations
Cincinnati, Ohio
Build an Aviation Career You’re Proud Of
At StandardAero, we use our ingenuity and know-how to find solutions for the simple to the most complex challenges in aviation. Together, we get the job done and done well. Our stability, resources, and respectful culture supports you in building a solid career with a great team you can count on day in and day out for the long term.
As a Director of Operations, you’ll partner with an existing Senior Director of Operations in leading a large-scale aerospace component repair and manufacturing operation in Cincinnati. This leader will be responsible for driving operational excellence across multiple production areas, leading and developing several hundred employees, and delivering measurable improvements in turnaround time (TAT), on-time delivery (OTD), quality, and cost performance. This role will also have direct responsibility for the Production Planning organization, including Master Scheduling, ensuring alignment between customer demand, shop capacity, and execution.
What you’ll do:
- Lead and develop a high-performing organization of several hundred employees.
- Partner closely with the Senior Director of Operations to align priorities and drive performance.
- Drive operational excellence through lean principles (standard work, visual management, flow, pull systems).
- Reduce turnaround time (TAT) by eliminating bottlenecks and improving flow.
- Improve on-time delivery (OTD) through disciplined execution and accountability.
- Lead the Production Planning function, including Master Scheduling.
- Establish a robust daily management system with tiered accountability.
- Drive a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
- Improve labor efficiency and utilization.
- Partner with Quality, Engineering, and Supply Chain to reduce defects and rework.
- Champion safety and compliance.
- Develop leadership capability at all levels.
- Lead capacity planning and constraint management.
- Drive cost performance including reduction of COPQ.
- Communicate effectively across all levels.
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, or related field (MBA preferred).
- 10+ years of progressive operations leadership experience, including leading lean transformation initiatives that delivered measurable improvements in efficiency, cost reduction, and process performance
Desired Skills:
- Proven ability to lead large, complex operations (200+ employees).
- Deep expertise in lean manufacturing or MRO operations.
- Strong business acumen connecting operations to financial outcomes.
- Exceptional leadership and coaching skills.
- Hands-on experience using ERP/MRP Systems to support planning and operations.
- Ability to create structure and discipline in execution.
- Data-driven decision-making mindset.
- Experience with production planning and master scheduling.
- Relentless focus on execution and results.
- Strong cross-functional collaboration skills.
- Comfort in a fast-paced, high-visibility environment.
- Resilience and adaptability.
- High standards with strong employee engagement.
Benefits that make life better:
- Comprehensive Healthcare
- 401(k) with 100% company match; up to 5% vested
- Paid Time Off starting on day one
- Bonus opportunities
- Health- & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
- Short- & Long-Term Disability
- Life & AD&D Insurance
- Learning & Training opportunities
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations, or related field
- 10+ years of progressive operations leadership experience
StandardAero Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about StandardAero and has not been reviewed or approved by StandardAero.
-
Retirement Support — Provides a 401(k) and has added an Employee Stock Purchase Plan and an Incentive Award (equity) plan, expanding long-term savings and ownership options. These programs complement base pay with additional wealth-building mechanisms.
-
Leave & Time Off Breadth — Includes PTO, paid holidays, sick time, bereavement leave, military leave, and parental leave, with some roles accruing PTO that can increase with service. Eligibility for benefits typically begins the first day of the month after hire, indicating structured access to time-off programs.
-
Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Offers tuition assistance, job training/conferences, company events, and an Employee Assistance Program as part of a comprehensive package. The inclusion of learning support and EAP provides development and wellbeing resources beyond core insurance and retirement.
StandardAero Insights
What We Do
StandardAero has become one of the aerospace industry’s largest independent maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) providers. Our company’s success is the outgrowth of the synergistic merger of businesses with complementary specialties that have exponentially increased our capabilities and generated unprecedented customer commitment and value. StandardAero offers extensive MRO services and custom solutions for business aviation, commercial aviation, military, and industrial power customers. Nearly 6,600 professional, administrative and technical employees work in more than 50 major facilities worldwide, with additional strategically located regional service and support centers all across the globe. Services include MRO for aircraft and rotorcraft engines, auxiliary power units, components; airframe services including major alterations; FAA authorized avionics capabilities; comprehensive engineering services; and custom exterior and interior design, completion, and paint. We provide these capabilities through our network of specialized facilities and mobile service teams. StandardAero is owned by Carlyle, a global investment firm with deep industry expertise that deploys private capital across four business segments: Corporate Private Equity, Real Assets, Global Credit, and Investment Solutions.
