VP, Operations & Quality

We are committed to finding smart solutions that enable an intelligent and seamless world. Our success as a world-class leader in technology has evolved from humble beginnings. In 1896, the enterprising father and son team of A.J. and George A. Briggs partnered with S.A. Buffington, a Chicago lawyer, to establish Chicago Telephone Supply Company (later to become CTS).

Today, CTS is a leading designer and manufacturer of sensors, actuators, and electronic components for suppliers and original equipment manufacturers. We have over 20 locations in 12 countries and more than 3,500 employees. Our innovative sensing, connectivity, and motion solutions offer a diverse range of products across diversified end markets including transportation, medical, aerospace and defense, and industrial. We are at the forefront of supporting innovating life-changing technology, focusing on quality to keep people safe, healthy, and happy.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Vice President, Operations & Quality is responsible for leading and optimizing the global manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and logistics functions for the Sensors & Mechatronics (S&M) business unit. This executive role ensures the safe, efficient, and compliant production of high-quality products that consistently meet or exceed customer expectations while supporting the business unit's strategic growth objectives.

The VP will develop and execute a long-term operations strategy focused on operational excellence, quality leadership, cost competitiveness, global standardization, manufacturing footprint optimization, and scalable growth. This leader will drive continuous improvement across all global operations to enhance profitability, maximize Return on Assets (ROA), optimize working capital, strengthen supply chain resilience, and improve customer satisfaction.

The scope of responsibility includes all global S&M manufacturing operations, quality, materials management, logistics, advanced manufacturing engineering, production tooling, APQP, service and low-volume production strategies, and manufacturing footprint planning. The role is accountable for aligning operational capabilities with business growth strategies, ensuring seamless execution from product launch through full-scale production, and establishing a culture of quality, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.

As a key member of the S&M leadership team, the Vice President will partner closely with commercial, engineering, product management, and finance leaders to ensure global operational strategies are aligned with market opportunities, customer requirements, and long‑term business objectives. The position is responsible for maximizing the utilization of business unit assets, achieving operational performance targets, and building a high-performing global organization capable of delivering sustainable competitive advantage.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Manufacturing Strategy, Business Planning & Footprint Optimization

• Contribute to the business planning process and develop, communicate, and execute the global manufacturing strategy in alignment with business unit objectives.
• Represent and drive the manufacturing viewpoint throughout product development, ensuring Design for Manufacturability (DFM) objectives are achieved prior to design freeze and that manufacturing concepts are standardized across the organization.
• Develop, lead, and implement business models for all manufacturing locations that support current and future business strategies, growth initiatives, and customer requirements.
• Establish and maintain a long-term global manufacturing footprint strategy that optimizes cost, capacity, flexibility, customer proximity, and risk mitigation.
• Ensure manufacturing capacity, technology roadmaps, and operational capabilities are aligned with commercial growth plans, new business awards, and long‑term strategic objectives.

Operational Excellence & Cost Leadership

• Lead regular site performance reviews, monitor key manufacturing and business performance indicators, and drive resulting improvement initiatives across all operations.
• Develop and implement world‑class Lean Manufacturing Systems throughout the S&M organization utilizing industry best practices, value stream management, continuous improvement methodologies, and operational excellence principles.
• Drive a culture of cost leadership through productivity improvements, waste elimination, automation, value engineering, standardization, and disciplined deployment of continuous improvement initiatives.
• Review cost reduction and improvement project selection and progress in collaboration with cross‑functional teams, ensuring alignment with business objectives and financial targets.
• Develop and implement Cost Improvement Programs (CIP) that meet or exceed annual business objectives while validating results in partnership with Finance.

Quality Excellence & Customer Satisfaction

• Establish the strategic quality direction for the business unit as part of the overall business plan, including scrap reduction, defect prevention, quality system improvements, and customer satisfaction initiatives.
• Provide leadership for quality improvement activities globally by ensuring effective execution, resource allocation, training, and adherence to quality management system requirements and customer‑specific standards.
• Foster a culture focused on variation reduction, root cause analysis, prevention of recurrence, continuous improvement, and process capability.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable quality management systems, customer requirements, regulatory standards, and industry certifications.
• Serve as executive sponsor for significant customer quality, delivery, and operational escalation issues, ensuring rapid resolution and protection of customer relationships.
• Optimize inventory, working capital, material flow, logistics performance, and supply chain efficiency while supporting business growth objectives.
• Work with Supply Chain Lead to identify, assess, and mitigate supply chain risks, ensuring robust contingency planning and business continuity across global operations.

Advanced Manufacturing Engineering & Product Launch Excellence

• Lead advanced manufacturing engineering, production tooling, automation, and process development activities supporting both existing products and future growth.
• Ensure flawless execution of new product introductions through robust APQP processes, launch readiness reviews, manufacturing validation, and disciplined program execution.
• Drive manufacturing concept standardization in alignment with engineering and product development teams to ensure scalable and efficient operations.
• Champion the use of advanced technology and manufacturing innovation to improve quality, productivity, scalability, and competitiveness.

Digitalization & Manufacturing Modernization

• Lead manufacturing modernization initiatives including automation, digitalization, advanced analytics, connected factory technologies, and smart manufacturing systems.
• Drive the deployment of technologies and systems that enhance operational visibility, decision making, efficiency, quality, and workforce productivity.
• Establish global standards and best practices for operational systems, performance measurement, and manufacturing technologies.

Global Alignment & Organizational Effectiveness

• Act as the executive representative for manufacturing and quality, in business policy development and strategic decision making.
• Remove barriers between global locations and facilitate effective communication, collaboration, and alignment across all business functions.
• Establish processes to identify, share, and deploy best practices across all manufacturing locations.
• Drive standardization of processes, organizational design, policies, operating procedures, and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) throughout the global manufacturing network.
• Ensure alignment of manufacturing location strategies with overall business unit strategic plans and objectives.
• Build, develop, and retain a high‑performing global operations and quality leadership team.
• Engage in the recruitment, selection, coaching, training, performance management, and succession planning of leaders and their organizations.
• Conduct organizational assessments and talent reviews to ensure leadership capability aligns with current and future business requirements.
• Foster a culture of accountability, continuous learning, employee engagement, and leadership development.

EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP & EXTERNAL REPRESENTATION

• Serve as the executive representative for Sensors & Mechatronics operations, quality, and manufacturing strategy with CTS executive leadership, customers, suppliers, and external partners.
• Build trusted relationships with key customers and stakeholders that support growth, operational performance, quality excellence, and long‑term strategic objectives.
• Prepare and present operational performance, strategic initiatives, investment plans, and improvement activities to executive leadership and as required.
• Lead special projects and strategic assignments as directed by senior leadership.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Production plant experience, manufacturing engineering, operations, lean methodologies, continuous improvement (quality), financial understanding, business acumen, and technical understanding are required. Experience within automotive is a strong benefit.
• Must be able to make decisions that affect the SBU’s business and its future.
• Must be self‑motivated and stay current with state‑of‑the‑art manufacturing methodologies which can add value to CTS. Able to identify, lead, and drive necessary changes
• Planning needs to be done on a strategic basis.
• Needs to be able to communicate well, verbally and written
• Presentations are required to customers and corporate officers.
• This is a highly visible position. Must be able to coach and mentor others. Self‑awareness is important along with understanding the impact of behavior on others. Utilizes feedback to improve own leadership skills.
• Must be able to travel internationally, 50% estimated travel.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• B.S. degree in an engineering, technical discipline, or business management. Respective M.S. or MBA desirable will be a benefit.
• Minimum of 4 years of manufacturing experience at the executive level. Minimum 8 years’ experience with production and materials management.
• Automotive industry experience.
• SAP experience and expertise is a plus.
• Cross functional experience is a benefit.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Ability to work several hours at a computer
• Ability to work accommodating global time zones.
• Ability to travel approximately 50% (domestic and international)

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

• Standard office environment

JOIN US

At CTS, one of the ways we recognize the value of our employees is through our comprehensive benefits program. Highlights of our benefits program for full‑time employees include:

• 401K
• Paid Time Off
• Holiday Pay
• Employee Assistance Program
• Pet Insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement

The expected annual salary range for this position is $175-240K.

This position is eligible for variable pay, issued as a monetary bonus or in another form.

United States EEO Statement

CTS Corporation is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer who complies with all applicable federal, state and local employment laws. In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, employment decisions at CTS Corporation will be based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. It has been and shall continue to be both the official policy and the commitment of CTS Corporation to further equal employment opportunities for all persons regardless of, among other characteristics, race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, genetic information, status as a protected veteran or status as a qualified individual with a disability, or any other characteristics protected by applicable Federal, State or Local law.

ADA accommodation statement: If you require reasonable accommodation in the application process, call Human Resources at View phone number on click.appcast.io. All other applications must be submitted online.

United States Additional Considerations

It is unlawful in all states where the Company operates, including Massachusetts, to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates applicable laws may be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. The Company does not require a lie detector test as a condition of employment nor continued employment.

Applicants must have valid work authorization that does not now and/or will not in the future require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the United States.

Nearest Major Market: Chicago
Job Segment: Logistics, Supply Chain, Operations Manager, Manufacturing Engineer, Operations, Engineering, Automotive