Head of Manufacturing, (SVP-Defense Manufacturing Resources)

Butterfly Staffing is supporting a rapidly scaling defense organization in the build-out of its Defense Manufacturing Resources (DMR) Business Unit. This is a transformational executive leadership role for a manufacturing leader who has built and scaled global operations — not simply maintained them. The selected executive will enter at the Senior Vice President level, reporting directly to the CEO, with a defined path to Executive Vice President upon demonstrated performance.

Executive Scope

• Build and structure a global manufacturing organization from the ground up

• Hold full P&L responsibility across multiple international facilities

• Drive cost competitiveness versus external suppliers

• Lead capital deployment strategy for facility expansion and acquisitions

• Serve as a key member of the Executive Leadership Team

Operational Responsibilities

• Multi-site oversight (initial facilities in the Philippines and Bosnia/Herzegovina)

• Implement lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives

• Optimize production performance and cost analytics

• Maintain quality systems (ISO, AS9100, or equivalent)

• Ensure ITAR, EAR, and international regulatory compliance

• Oversee global supply chain integration

Organizational Leadership

• Recruit and develop regional manufacturing directors and plant leaders

• Implement scalable production monitoring and cost tracking systems

• Establish in-country operational leadership presence

• Partner cross-functionally with Finance, Business Development, and Programs

Required Experience

• 15+ years manufacturing leadership experience

• 5+ years executive-level P&L ownership

• Multi-site manufacturing oversight

• Experience within defense, aerospace, or similarly regulated industry

• Demonstrated scale-up or greenfield facility build experience

• Strong understanding of manufacturing economics and capital investment

• Lean / Six Sigma / operational excellence expertise

Preferred

• Munitions or energetics manufacturing experience

• International manufacturing startup experience

• M&A integration of manufacturing facilities

• Engineering degree; MBA preferred

Ideal Profile

• Strategic and operationally grounded

• Comfortable in both executive and production environments

• Decisive and action-oriented

• High integrity and compliance-driven

• Motivated by building and scaling new capability