Senior Manager Operations

DRS Pivotal Power, Inc. is located in Bedford, Nova Scotia. DRS Pivotal Power is a leader in the design, development and manufacture of high reliability power conversion equipment for mission critical applications supporting all branches of the military in Canada, the US and many countries abroad. All products are designed and manufactured in house by our growing team of over 150 employees. DRS Pivotal Power is part of the Leonardo DRS Naval Electronics group and has currently over 30,000 fielded units boasting a field reliability of over 99%.

Job Summary

DRS Pivotal Power Inc., located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, is a leader in the development and manufacture of high-reliability power conversion and communications equipment for mission-critical military applications. DRS Pivotal Power is part of the Naval Electronics Canada Group of Leonardo DRS.

Reporting to the Director of Operations, the Senior Manager, Operations is responsible for the performance and development of the manufacturing and production planning functions. As a member of the operations leadership team, this role translates business objectives and customer commitments into an executable operating plan, ensuring that capacity, labor, materials, equipment, and processes are aligned to deliver safe, high-quality products on schedule and at the required cost.

The Senior Manager leads through managers and supervisors, establishes clear performance expectations, and builds the organizational capability needed to support growth and changing program requirements. The role works closely with Supply Chain, Engineering, Quality, Program Management, and other business leaders to resolve systemic constraints, manage operational risk, and advance operational excellence across the business.

As a Senior Manager, Operations, your main responsibilities will include (but not limited to):

• Provide leadership and accountability for manufacturing operations and production planning, including performance against safety, quality, delivery, cost, and people-development objectives.
• Develop and execute operational plans that support business priorities, customer requirements, current program commitments, and anticipated demand.
• Lead, coach, and develop operations managers and supervisors; establish clear accountabilities, strengthen management practices, and build succession and workforce capability.
• Oversee production planning and scheduling to ensure plans are achievable and reflect customer commitments, labor capacity, material availability, equipment capability, and operational constraints.
• Establish a disciplined performance-management approach, using meaningful measures, regular reviews, and corrective actions to improve results and prevent recurring issues.
• Partner with Supply Chain, Engineering, Quality, and Program Management to align priorities, resolve cross-functional issues, manage changes, and develop recovery plans when commitments are at risk.
• Evaluate capacity, staffing, equipment, and process requirements; develop recommendations and business cases for investments that support delivery performance, efficiency, and future growth.
• Support the development and management of operating budgets and resource plans, with accountability for cost performance and the effective use of resources.
• Lead the operational excellence agenda for manufacturing and production planning, applying Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and other structured problem-solving methods to improve safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity.
• Identify and eliminate waste, variation, and recurring sources of rework through process analysis, root-cause investigation, standard work, and measurable improvement initiatives; ensure improvements are sustained through clear ownership and performance measures.
• Promote a culture of workplace safety, product quality, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement throughout the operations organization.
• Ensure operational practices comply with applicable company policies, customer requirements, and quality procedures, working with the appropriate functional owners to address compliance risks.
• Provide senior leadership with clear assessments of operational performance, capacity, risks, trade-offs, recovery plans, and investment needs.
• Lead significant operational projects and other initiatives as assigned.

What you require to be successful in the role:

• A post-secondary degree or diploma in Engineering, Operations Management, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field; an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• At least 10 years of progressive experience in manufacturing operations, including substantial leadership experience in a complex production environment.
• Demonstrated experience leading managers or supervisors and building effective, accountable teams.
• A record of improving performance across safety, quality, delivery, and cost while meeting demanding customer commitments.
• Strong knowledge of production planning, master scheduling, MRP, material flow, capacity management, and manufacturing performance measures.
• Demonstrated experience leading Lean manufacturing or operational excellence initiatives and delivering measurable, sustained improvements in a manufacturing environment. Experience with Six Sigma methodologies is an asset; Lean or Six Sigma certification would be considered an asset.
• Experience developing operational plans, managing resources and budgets, and evaluating capital or capacity investments.
• Experience within an AS9100 manufacturing environment would be considered an asset.
• Sound business judgment and the ability to assess trade-offs, manage operational risk, and make decisions using data.
• Proven ability to work across functions, influence stakeholders, and resolve complex issues affecting production and delivery.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to present operational risks, recommendations, and recovery plans to senior leadership.
• A demonstrated commitment to developing leaders, improving processes, and building a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Experience in a regulated, high-reliability, or defense manufacturing environment would be considered an asset; experience producing military equipment would also be considered an asset

Benefits of working with DRS

• A motivating team-based environment where your achievements matter
• An opportunity to work on industry leading edge technology
• Flexible work hours and a compressed work week to promote a healthy work/life balance
• Industry leading wellness program including:
  • Health, dental, and vision coverage available on first day of hire at no cost to the employee with access to virtual healthcare
  • Access to Employee and Family Assistance Program
• Competitive compensation including:
  • Reimbursement for professional development initiatives and memberships plus access to free online learning resources
  • Registered Retirement Savings Plan with matching company contributions with access to complimentary financial planning
  • Maternity and Parental leave top-up
  • Vacation, personal days, sick leave, and additional company paid days off

About DRS Pivotal Power 

DRS Pivotal Power Inc., a subsidiary of Leonardo DRS, is a leader in the development and manufacture of high reliability power conversion equipment for mission critical military applications. DRS Pivotal Power is part of the Naval Electronics Canada Group.

All applicants must fulfill requirements for Canadian security clearance.   

Applicants requiring a disability related accommodation to participate in the recruitment process are to advise Human Resources. DRS Pivotal Power Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. 

Applicants may apply to this position online at www.leonardodrs.com/careers.  

#DRSCanada