The Deployables Operating Unit, part of Northrop Grumman' Space Systems Intelligence Systems Division, specializes in deployable systems for spacecraft components such as solar arrays, instrument booms, extendible support structures, and reflector boom antennas, deployable booms and masts. We are seeking a General Manufacturing Manager (Value Stream Leader) Level 2 for our facility in Oxnard, CA.
Learn more about Deployables at our website: https://www.northropgrumman.com/space/spacecraft-components
Overview
Reporting to the Director of Operations, the Value Stream Leader (VSL) Manufacturing Manager leads a multi-disciplined manufacturing Operations team for all production activities. The VSL, in partnership with program management, plans, manages, and balances special programs operations supporting program deliverables. In addition to leading the manufacturing operations team, the role interfaces with program management, manufacturing and design engineering, quality, supply chain, suppliers, and other partners. The VSL exhibits overall ownership of manufacturing operations, leadership, and direction in all strategic and daily tactical activities including other functions reporting into the value stream (ie QE, QT, Production & Material Planning, Mfg Eng, Supply Chain).
Role and Responsibilities:
Lead daily management standards for Safety, Quality, Delivery, Employee, Cost (SQDEC)
Leads a multi-disciplined manufacturing operation team.
Conducts periodic performance reviews for staff.
Perform regular 1:1 with direct reports.
Ownership for effective hand-offs through all functional and process center areas.
Execute and continuously improve daily management processes and communicate/escalate key issues to leadership and throughout the organization.
Collaborate and coordinate with functional value streams, process centers, functional leaders (manufacturing engineering, quality, production planning and material control) and business support functions (program managers, finance, contracts, and human resources) to achieve product and site goals via sharing of resources, tools, equipment, and processes.
Develop value stream hiring plans, onboarding, retention, and training plans in support of business needs.
Ensures staffing needs are identified in conjunction with program management
Works with functions to ensure appropriate staffing is assigned
Works with program management and the functions to reconcile resource conflicts
Identify and develop business cases for capital project plans to support the value stream execution and growth, in collaboration with programs and manufacturing engineering functions, and ensure continuous monitoring of projects to achieve performance/quality, delivery, and budget commitments.
Own Value Stream operations resource management, escalation, prioritization, and conflict resolution decisions.
Review NPI and CI process releases for implementation feasibility, effectivity, applicable training requirements, and rollout plan.
Strengthen the manufacturing operations team through strategies, providing coaching and personnel development with a focus on ownership, leadership and employee development, ensuring disciplined approaches are defined and executed.
Support customer proposals through generation of estimates, identification of operational risks & opportunities, and identification of resource conflicts to ensure defendable basis of estimates for labor and schedule durations.
Plans, organizes and responsible for production schedules.
Provides direction to process improvement activities impacting the Value Stream
Oversee direct reports training requirements.
Travel as needed to support programs, training, or other needs (Generally< 10%)
Drive the Value Stream Quality Management (Corrective Action Boards, Counter Measures, and RCCAs)
Report monthly Value Stream Health Check (KPI) to senior leadership
Participate in monthly Program Reviews
Manage overhead and direct labor yield (DLY) rates
Basic Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree with at least 8 years of manufacturing operations management and/or program leadership experience: OR 7 years' experience with a Masters degree. An additional 4 years experience may be considered in lieu of a degree
Experience managing or leading a team of Engineers, Technicians or other Managers
Proven track record and drive for achieving manufacturing and operational results, financial results; and effective and timely decision making
Root cause problem solving and continuous improvement skills
Knowledge and experience with executing process standards and risk management identification and mitigation
Requires experience creating a culture of engagement and inclusion, continuous improvement and teamwork
Experience in the Aerospace Industry
Preferred Qualifications:
Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM discipline and/or Business Administration
10 years of experience in manufacturing operations management
Experience transitioning products through the product lifecycle from development to full rate production
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree with at least 8 years manufacturing operations management and/or program leadership (or 7 years with Master's; or additional experience in lieu of degree)
- Experience managing or leading a team of engineers, technicians, or managers
- Proven track record achieving manufacturing, operational, and financial results with timely decision making
- Root cause problem solving and continuous improvement skills
- Knowledge and experience executing process standards and risk identification/mitigation
- Experience creating a culture of engagement, inclusion, continuous improvement, and teamwork
- Experience in the Aerospace industry
- Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline and/or Business Administration
- 10 years of experience in manufacturing operations management
- Experience transitioning products from development to full rate production
Northrop Grumman Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Northrop Grumman and has not been reviewed or approved by Northrop Grumman.
-
Retirement Support — 401(k) matching is considered strong, with additional defined-benefit coverage for certain cohorts and options like catch-up contributions. Retirement programs are repeatedly highlighted as a core strength of the total rewards.
-
Leave & Time Off Breadth — PTO, company-paid holidays, and compressed work schedules (such as 9/80) provide meaningful time away and flexibility. These scheduling options are cited as a major quality-of-life benefit across many locations.
-
Parental & Family Support — Paid parental leave alongside caregiver leave, adoption assistance, and back-up care supports a range of family needs. These programs have been expanded recently, signaling continued investment in family support.
Northrop Grumman Insights
What We Do
We are a close-knit community of big thinkers collaborating to keep the world safe. Our passion, creativity and expertise bring next-level technology solutions to life in autonomous systems, cyber, C4ISR, strike, space, and logistics and modernization for our customers around the globe. On the Northrop Grumman team, you’ll join our pursuit of excellence immersed in a dynamic culture of innovation and respect. Your unique perspective will help achieve our shared vision for the future of global security. Every step of the way, you'll be supported by world-class training, employee resource groups and a comprehensive benefits package that enables greater health and happiness for you and your family. Worldwide and across disciplines, we’re challenging what’s possible for technology to protect people and places from undersea to outer space and into cyberspace. And we see the impact of our performance every day. We are Northrop Grumman, and we work on what matters—now, you too can make a difference. Explore opportunities in engineering, IT, manufacturing, business management, cybersecurity and more with us. Northrop Grumman is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
.png)
