VP Operations (Manufacturing)

Job Description

Job Description

We are seeking a visionary and results-oriented Vice President of Operations to lead our manufacturing and operational enterprise at the highest level. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, the VP of Operations holds enterprise-wide accountability for safety, quality, cost, delivery, and talent across all manufacturing sites and operational functions. This executive will set the long-range operational strategy, build and lead a team of Directors and Plant Managers, and serve as a key member of the senior leadership team driving company performance, culture, and growth. The ideal candidate is a proven operator who has scaled multi-site manufacturing organizations and delivered measurable results in a complex, fast-moving industrial environment.

Key Responsibilities:

Enterprise Operations Leadership

• Provide strategic and operational oversight across all manufacturing sites, facilities, and operational functions including production, maintenance, quality, EHS, supply chain, and logistics.

• Own the enterprise operations P&L, with accountability for labor, overhead, capital allocation, cost structure, and EBITDA contribution.

• Define and drive company-wide KPIs for safety, overall equipment effectiveness (OEE), on-time delivery, quality (PPM/DPMO), throughput, and cost per unit.

• Lead long-range operational planning, including multi-year capacity strategy, capital investment roadmaps, site footprint decisions, and workforce planning.

• Represent Operations in board-level and investor reporting, M&A due diligence, and executive business reviews.

Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement

• Establish and sustain a culture of operational excellence across all sites—embedding lean principles, kaizen, 5S, and value stream management as standard practice.

• Drive enterprise-wide cost reduction and productivity improvement programs; set targets, allocate resources, and report results to executive leadership.

• Lead the development and deployment of standardized processes, operating systems, and best practices across the manufacturing network.

• Oversee root cause analysis and systemic corrective action programs for safety incidents, quality escapes, and production failures.

People Leadership & Organizational Development

• Build, develop, and retain a high-performing operations leadership team including Directors of Operations, Plant Managers, and functional leaders.

• Design and execute talent strategies including succession planning, leadership development, and organizational design to support business growth.

• Partner with the CHRO and HR leadership on workforce planning, performance management, labor relations, and organizational effectiveness.

• Model and reinforce a culture of accountability, safety, inclusion, and continuous improvement at every level of the organization.

Cross-Functional & Executive Collaboration

• Serve as the operational voice in executive team decisions including new product development, customer contracts, capital projects, and enterprise risk management.

• Partner with Supply Chain and Procurement to optimize total landed cost, material availability, inventory strategy, and supplier performance.

• Collaborate with Engineering, R&D, and Sales on new product launches, process qualification, and customer-facing operational commitments.

• Lead or support M&A integration, greenfield site launches, or facility consolidations as directed by executive leadership.

Required:

• 15+ years of progressive manufacturing operations experience, with at least 7 years in a senior leadership role (Director, VP, or General Manager level) overseeing multi-site or multi-functional operations.

• Demonstrated P&L ownership at scale in an industrial, heavy manufacturing, or process manufacturing environment.

• Proven track record of leading enterprise-wide operational transformation including lean deployment, cost reduction, and quality improvement across multiple facilities.

• Experience building and leading large, multi-disciplinary leadership teams in complex, matrixed organizations.

• Executive-level EHS competency with a documented history of driving safety culture improvements and achieving industry-leading performance.

• Strong financial and analytical acumen; proficiency with ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, or equivalent), management dashboards, and operational data tools.

Preferred

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or a related technical field; MBA strongly preferred.

• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or Master Black Belt certification.

• Experience with ISO 9001, IATF 16949, AS9100, or other quality management systems at an enterprise level.

• Background in M&A integration, greenfield manufacturing builds, or large-scale capital project management.

• Private equity-backed or publicly held company experience with exposure to investor reporting and board-level communication.

What We Offer

• Competitive executive base salary commensurate with experience and scope.

• Annual performance bonus tied to enterprise operational and financial results.

• Long-term incentive / equity participation opportunity for the right candidate.

• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, and 401(k) with company match.

• PTO, paid holidays, and a commitment to work-life balance.

• A seat at the executive table in a company that values operational excellence and invests in the leaders who drive it.