Operations Site-Lead

Job Description: AUSTAL USA is supporting construction of submarines by building and outfitting modules for delivery to Electric Boat in Groton, CT. This effort must be success for the Navy to achieve delivery of one COLUMBIA Class Submarine and two VIRGINIA Class submarines per year. The mission of this position is to support AUSTAL delivering buildings per requirements, to include quality and schedule. This position reports to and works for the Transformation Management Office (TMO) within Direct Reporting Portfolio Management (DRPM). This position will provide insight into opportunities to improve schedule and quality performance on submarine production AUSTAL. The insight is to be gained through interaction with EB and AUSTAL engineering, material management, procurement, planning, management, and operations personnel along with daily deck-plate observations and follow-up with EB, SUPSHIP, AUSTAL and other stakeholders. Follow up to include working with AUSTAL, EB, and other stakeholders on the root causes for performance challenges and on working to overcome those challenges The job requires more than 25% time on deck plate, in shops, and in material storage, handling, and transportation sites understanding opportunities and challenges. This position reports to and works for the Transformation Management Office (TMO) within Direct Reporting Portfolio Management (DRPM).

In this role, you will :

• Identify, Investigate and concisely communicate the scope, status, and impact of any construction related schedule delay or quality issues to both Shipbuilder Leadership and Navy Team Leadership.
• Conduct and document work effectiveness observation studies to identify process barriers and gaps that impact shipbuilder effectiveness. This includes daily deck plate observations of work in progress, attendance daily at supervisor-to-team morning start up meetings, and turnover meetings across shifts.
• Develop understanding of root causes for any construction delays or quality issues associated with module construction and outfitting. Areas to address in each root cause analysis include but is not limited to:

• Adequacy of information provided by EB to AUSTAL

• Adequacy of information management process at AUSTAL

• Adequacy of material management processes at AUSTAL and EB

• Adequacy of Quality Management System processes and adherence by EB, AUSTAL, and suppliers relied on to support AUSTAL

• Rapidly assess the scope of a construction-impacting technical, supply chain or resource related issues. Liaison with the appropriate cognizant shipbuilder SMEs, government engineering team members, and program office support representatives to lead and drive these issues to resolution.
• Identify and document barriers including ones with NAVSEA and the Program Office that slow down or do not support module delivery pace and quality in support of submarine construction goal of 2+1 submarine deliveries per year.
• Work closely with EB and AUSTAL engineering, production, quality assurance, program office and other relevant departments to resolve technical issues in an expedient manner.
• Develop, in collaboration with the EB, AUSTAL, Navy teammates, and other stakeholders, process improvement recommendations and strategies when documenting opportunities for improvement (OFI) identified during observation studies
• Enhance communication between EB, AUSTAL, and government on technical issues to shorten timelines necessary to resolve construction-impacting liabilities.
• Streamline communication channels for routine reporting between stakeholders to reduce delays, improve coordination and maximize shipbuilder labor effectiveness.

Proactively develop in collaboration with AUSTAL, EB, and other stakeholders process improvement plans that result in more timely and efficient resolution of technical, supply chain or resource constraint issues

Required Skills and Experiences:

To be successful in this role you will have :

• An active or current DoD Secret clearance.
• Great teamwork skills. Must be able to work across multiple organizations and build trusted relationships/partnerships
• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, or Operations Management, or Business Administration are preferred.
  • An Associate's Degree and 2 years of additional experience will be considered in lieu of Bachelor's Degree or a High School Diploma/GED and 4 years of additional experience will be considered in lieu of Bachelor's Degree.
• Knowledge and 3+ years experience with Electric Boat's Quality Management System
• 6+ years of experience.
• Ability to communicate with discretion
• Manufacturing, Production, and/or Operations experience.
• Project/Program management experience or similar/related experience desired.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills
• Strong quantitative, analytical and conceptual thinking skills.
• Ability to facilitate and coordinate efforts with EB, AUSTAL, government and non-government stakeholders.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Ability to work well within a time sensitive environment.
• Ability to learn and grow individually, while mentoring junior team members effectively when opportunities present, building team cohesion and capacity.
• Highly motivated and well organized with strong project management skills and of working independently and in a team environment.
• Ability to use Microsoft Office packages to complete daily tasking; proficient MS Office skillset to include Outlook, PowerPoint, Word, Teams, and Excel.
• Demonstrate the ability to brief complex technical issues and process barriers with teammates and team leadership.
• Ability to be a team player, work well with others and contribute positively to work/team environment while continually seeking ways to enhance contribution to the team.
• Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment accepting emergent tasking with little to no supervision and/or direction.
• Discretion in performing specified work requirements.
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills to communicate effectively and build strong working relationships with a vast team of diverse professionals.
• Attention to detail and the ability to meet tight deadlines, as well as work independently and with sufficient knowledge to present projects to senior management.
• Ability to travel up to 10% of time to the EB
• Additional desired experience and skills:
  • Submarine related experience
  • An active NNPI account and CAC
  • Experience with Navy acquisition and Submarine Programs.
  • Experience leading a project and interfacing with an end item customer.
  • Knowledge of Program Management, including the acquisition process, the budgeting process and Navy program execution.
  • Active-Duty experience serving on a U.S. Navy submarine preferred.
  • Experience working in the DoD or DoN environments
  • An advanced MS Office skillset to include Outlook, PowerPoint, Word, Teams, and Excel.
  • Experience leading and engaging in weekly meetings with the ship builder and supplier regarding actions and statuses desirable.
  • Knowledge of current DoD policies, NAVSEASYSCOM/Team Submarine policies and procedures.

Additional desired experience and skills :

• 4+ years military experience

Degree Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, or Operations Management, or Business Administration are preferred.
  • An Associate's Degree and 2 years of additional experience will be considered in lieu of Bachelor's Degree or a High School Diploma/GED and 4 years of additional experience will be considered in lieu of Bachelor's Degree.

• Must be a U.S. citizen.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

ORBIS offers an excellent benefits package and a competitive salary in a professional atmosphere.