The Operations Science Podcast
The Operations Science Podcast
Podcast Description
The Operations Science Podcast: Authentic Leadership Stories from Operations and Project LeadersWelcome to The Operations Science Podcast, the premier destination for authentic, in-depth conversations with operations and project leaders who share real-life stories of their career triumphs, setbacks, and the invaluable insights gained along the way. Hosted with a passion for uncovering the strategies and mental frameworks that drive success, this podcast is a must-listen for executives, managers, and aspiring leaders in industries such as general manufacturing, medical devices, aerospace, maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) companies, and diagnostic labs. With a focus on leadership, operational excellence, and continuous improvement, each episode delivers actionable takeaways to help you navigate the complexities of modern business landscapes.What to Expect from The Operations Science PodcastOur guests include C-level executives, VPs of operations and supply chain, directors, managers, and thought leaders from trade associations, industry groups, and standards organizations. These seasoned professionals bring a wealth of experience in leadership, decision-making, and execution, offering unique perspectives on operational challenges like rapid change, uncertainty, innovation, evolving workforce expectations, talent development, and organizational culture. Whether you're a forward-thinking executive or a continuous improvement enthusiast, this podcast provides a platform to learn from the best in the field.Each episode dives deep into the personal journeys of high-performance leaders, exploring their successes, failures, and comebacks. From building high-performance teams to driving strategic transformation and maintaining clarity under pressure, our guests share the mental tools, frameworks, and strategies that have enabled them to lead with confidence, resilience, and foresight. This isn’t just another business podcast—it’s a forum for high-level executives to openly discuss the real challenges of operational management and the mental fitness required to thrive at the top.Why Listen to The Operations Science Podcast?Authentic Storytelling: Hear real-life stories from operations and project leaders who have navigated the highs and lows of leadership in dynamic industries.<strong style="background-color: tra...
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast explores key themes such as leadership, operational excellence, and continuous improvement, focusing on real-world challenges like post-pandemic recovery, workforce transformations, and the application of operational science. Episodes include discussions on Delta Tech Ops' innovations and frameworks for boosting efficiency in diverse industries ranging from manufacturing to healthcare.
The Operations Science Podcast: Authentic Leadership Stories from Operations and Project Leaders
Welcome to The Operations Science Podcast, the premier destination for authentic, in-depth conversations with operations and project leaders who share real-life stories of their career triumphs, setbacks, and the invaluable insights gained along the way. Hosted with a passion for uncovering the strategies and mental frameworks that drive success, this podcast is a must-listen for executives, managers, and aspiring leaders in industries such as general manufacturing, medical devices, aerospace, maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) companies, and diagnostic labs. With a focus on leadership, operational excellence, and continuous improvement, each episode delivers actionable takeaways to help you navigate the complexities of modern business landscapes.
What to Expect from The Operations Science Podcast
Our guests include C-level executives, VPs of operations and supply chain, directors, managers, and thought leaders from trade associations, industry groups, and standards organizations. These seasoned professionals bring a wealth of experience in leadership, decision-making, and execution, offering unique perspectives on operational challenges like rapid change, uncertainty, innovation, evolving workforce expectations, talent development, and organizational culture. Whether you’re a forward-thinking executive or a continuous improvement enthusiast, this podcast provides a platform to learn from the best in the field.
Each episode dives deep into the personal journeys of high-performance leaders, exploring their successes, failures, and comebacks. From building high-performance teams to driving strategic transformation and maintaining clarity under pressure, our guests share the mental tools, frameworks, and strategies that have enabled them to lead with confidence, resilience, and foresight. This isn’t just another business podcast—it’s a forum for high-level executives to openly discuss the real challenges of operational management and the mental fitness required to thrive at the top.
Why Listen to The Operations Science Podcast?
- Authentic Storytelling: Hear real-life stories from operations and project leaders who have navigated the highs and lows of leadership in dynamic industries.
- Actionable Insights: Gain practical strategies for overcoming operational challenges, fostering innovation, and building resilient teams.
- Diverse Perspectives: Learn from a wide range of guests, including C-suite executives, industry group leaders, and continuous improvement experts.
- Inspiration for Growth: Discover how top leaders adapt to change, inspire their teams, and make high-stakes decisions with clarity and confidence.
- Industry-Specific Focus: Explore winning practices and leading trends in general manufacturing, medical devices, aerospace, MRO, and diagnostic labs.
Who Should Listen?
This podcast is designed for:
- C-level executives and VPs of operations/supply chain seeking to sharpen their leadership skills
- Directors and managers in operations, project management, or continuous improvement roles
- Professionals in general manufacturing, medical devices, aerospace, MRO, and diagnostic labs
- Aspiring leaders looking to learn from the experiences of seasoned executives
- Members of trade associations, industry groups, and standards organizations interested in industry trends and winning practices
How to Listen
The Operations Science Podcast is available on major platforms, including YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more. Subscribe today to get notified about new episodes and gain access to a growing library of leadership insights. Follow us on LinkedIn and other social media platforms for daily short-form video clips that deliver quick, actionable tips from our guests.
In this episode of the Operations Science Podcast, host Ed sits down with Mike McBride, the leader of Delta Tech Ops, Delta Air Lines’ maintenance, repair, and overhaul powerhouse. Together, they explore the monumental operational challenges faced during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, including grounding and maintaining a fleet of over 900 aircraft, navigating supply chain chaos, and rebuilding a workforce after significant attrition. Mike shares insights on how Delta Tech Ops not only stabilized its operations but transformed into an industry leader in efficiency and innovation.
The discussion delves into the practical application of operational science and continuous improvement throughout the organization, from rethinking training approaches to leveraging artificial intelligence for predictive maintenance and inventory forecasting. Hear real stories about team reinvention, shop-floor problem-solving, and why a strong foundation in operational science helped Delta Tech Ops become two to four times faster than competitors in engine turnaround time.
This episode is a compelling story of resilience, reinvention, and the science behind superb, sustained performance in airline operations. Whether you’re a professional in aviation, operations, or just fascinated by how big organizations adapt to seismic change, you’ll come away with valuable lessons and fresh perspectives.
Key Topics:
• Overcoming operational and supply chain chaos in post-pandemic aviation
• Workforce transformation: Training and integrating a new generation of technicians
• Rethinking shop-floor processes and stabilizing engine repair operations
• The power of operational science in building a common language and framework for improvement
• How AI-driven forecasting revolutionizes inventory management and reliability
• Insights on leadership, problem-solving, and building a resilient team
Tune in for an episode packed with real-world strategies and expert insights from the frontlines of airline operations!
chapters
- Introduction & Guest Welcome
- Navigating COVID-19: Initial Challenges
- Workforce Reductions and Recovery
- Parking and Maintaining Aircraft During the Pandemic
- Rehiring and Training After COVID
- Overcoming Supply Chain and Turn Time Issues
- Stabilizing Operations Amid Chaos
- Building a New Training and Production Model
- Forecasting and AI-Driven Improvements
- Reestablishing Continuous Improvement Culture
- Operations Science Training at Delta Tech Ops
- Measurable Results in Turnaround Time
- The Impact of Operations Science on Problem Solving
- AI and Data in Maintenance Operations
- Mike McBride’s Career Path and Reflections
- Closing Remarks and Takeaways
Quote of the show
from ground level experience to executive leadership, from wrench turning to wide body strategy, this is a story of resilience, reinvention and the science behind superb sustained operations performance
Disclaimer
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