Woojin IS America, Inc · 6 days ago
Head of Operations
Carson, CA
Full-time
Onsite
Director/Executive
10+ years expWoojin IS America, Inc. is a fast-growing manufacturer specializing in electric equipment for rolling stock and light rail vehicles. They are seeking an experienced Head of Operations to lead their railcar production facility, overseeing operational activities to ensure high-quality rail vehicle components are delivered on time and within scope.
Railroad Manufacture
Hiring Manager
Jamie Choi
Responsibilities
Plan, organize, and direct daily production activities for railcar refurbishment, overhaul, and modification projects , ensuring adherence to project scope and technical requirements
Establish and monitor production priorities, schedules, and workflow based on project plans, including structural repairs, interior upgrades, electrical systems rework, HVAC, door systems, and other railcar subsystems
Ensure all refurbishment tasks follow approved procedures, engineering documentation, and industry standards specific to passenger rail vehicles
Review production performance versus established KPIs (schedule, cost, quality); identify variances and implement corrective actions
Coordinate production activities with Engineering, Quality, Purchasing, Warehouse, and Program Management to ensure proper material availability, technical clarity, and timely project execution
Maintain the facility in an organized, clean, and efficient state; ensure compliance with 5S standards across all railcar bays and work areas
Ensure all employees follow established safety procedures and that safety training is current, especially in areas specific to railcar refurbishment such as confined space entry, elevated work, electrical lockout/tagout, welding, and hot work
Oversee quality assurance and ensure compliance with rail industry standards such as APTA, FRA, and customer-specific requirements
Monitor and verify that all work on railcars — including structural welding, interior installations, component replacements, wiring, and mechanical adjustments — meets specifications and approved inspection points
Support safety and quality audits; document findings and implement corrective actions as needed
Supervise, train, and develop production supervisors, leads, and employees performing railcar rebuild and refurbishment activities
Provide coaching and performance feedback to ensure individual and team development
Conduct regular employee evaluations in partnership with HR to assess performance, identify strengths, and address areas for improvement
Foster a culture of engagement, accountability, and teamwork across all levels of the production organization
Ensure adequate staffing levels, including specialized skills needed for railcar refurbishment (welders, electricians, mechanics, interiors technicians)
Track productivity, schedule adherence, and budget performance for each railcar project or unit; develop improvement plans where targets are not met
Approve weekly labor hours and ensure accurate allocation of costs to each railcar or project phase
Evaluate labor hours per unit versus budget; implement corrective actions as necessary
Lead continuous improvement initiatives aimed at reducing cycle times, improving workflow in railcar bays, and optimizing refurbishment processes
Support management in bid and proposal efforts by providing accurate refurbishment labor estimates, process definitions, and production planning data
Oversee Maintenance department to ensure equipment reliability, including heavy tooling, lifting equipment, cranes, jigs, and railcar-specific fixtures
Ensure employees have the proper tools, PPE, materials, and equipment required for safe and effective refurbishment of railcars
Manage production resources and expenses within established budgets; request additional resources when justified
Maintain accountability for the condition, utilization, and productivity of facility assets and equipment
Directly supervises production supervisors and team leads
Indirectly manages all production employees assigned to refurbishment and overhaul of railcars
Responsible for hiring, training, evaluation, and performance management in collaboration with HR
Qualification
Required
Minimum 10 years of supervisory or management experience in manufacturing, railcar refurbishment, heavy equipment repair, or related fields
Strong understanding of railcar systems (electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, structural, interior components, propulsion, HVAC, and doors)
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and ERP/manufacturing software
Demonstrated ability to manage large-scale refurbishment or re-manufacturing projects, including budgets and schedules
Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills
Preferred
Experience overseeing railcar overhaul, midlife refurbishment, or new rail vehicle assembly (LRV, Metro, Commuter, Intercity, or APM sectors) strongly preferred
Bachelor's degree in Business, Industrial Management, Engineering, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience may be considered
Benefits
Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
Paid time off, holidays and retirement plan.
Company
Woojin IS America, Inc
Woojin IS America, Inc is serving North American customers with reliable transportation equipment that will be supported through life of the vehicle.
11-50 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Early StageLeadership Team
Joseph Sang-Hyun Kim
Vice President and COO
Company data provided by crunchbase