Challenge:
A leading $1B+ aerospace precision machining manufacturer, part of a well-respected private equity portfolio, needed a skilled Facilities Manager to lead maintenance operations for its 157,000 sq. ft. East Coast plant. The facility plays a critical role in the production of flight-critical hard-metal components for military rotorcraft and other defense systems.
The client’s CHRO retained Aerosource to identify a high-impact leader—someone who could optimize machine availability, standardize preventive maintenance, and implement effective facilities oversight, while also being respected by hourly manufacturing teams. The ideal candidate needed to be technically strategic yet grounded in the realities of daily plant operations.
Strategy:
Aerosource launched a regionally targeted search, mapping competitor org charts and targeting top aerospace OEM and Tier I maintenance professionals across the Northeast manufacturing corridor. Our approach emphasized cultural fit as much as capability: the right hire needed to work effectively from the shop floor to the boardroom.
We presented a strong finalist group, but one candidate emerged as exceptional: an OEM-trained maintenance leader with deep strategic acumen, multi-site reliability experience, and a grounded, engaging style that resonated with operators, engineers, and executives alike.
Results:
The candidate’s strength prompted the client to expand the role from a single-site Maintenance Manager to a Director of Maintenance overseeing multiple facilities totaling more than 500,000 sq. ft.
Shortly after joining, the new Director led a comprehensive standardization of maintenance processes and introduced policy-driven planning to reduce downtime and improve asset performance. He resolved long-standing HVAC variability issues that had been quietly degrading quality in precision machining—leading to measurable improvements in production efficiency and consistency.
This search not only exceeded expectations but also elevated operational capability across the enterprise. The client continues to rely on Aerosource for confidential, high-impact search needs across its growing portfolio.