Vice President OF Operations

Leadership here believes decisions should happen in a hallway conversation, not a committee meeting, and that philosophy shapes how the whole organization runs. People at every level, from the production floor to the executive suite, are known by name and treated like they matter, because they do. The company is in the middle of a generational leadership transition that is bringing fresh energy and a renewed focus on operational excellence, while holding firmly onto a family-oriented culture built on transparency, accountability, and trust. Dream Job This role is built for an operator who leads from the floor, not the spreadsheet, and who would rather find problems before they escape than react to them after the fact. You will take ownership of multi-site manufacturing operations during a period of rapid growth, with real influence over the two- to three-year operational strategy and the backing of an executive team that moves quickly once a plan is set. It is a chance for a hands-on leader to build a team and a legacy, not simply maintain someone else's Key Responsibilities Strategic Operations Leadership Translate corporate strategy into actionable operations plans across all sites and functions. Establish and drive a culture of safety, quality, and lean execution. Manufacturing & Plant Excellence Oversee manufacturing operations, maintenance, process engineering, and capital projects. Improve OEE, reduce downtime, and optimize yield and cost per unit across production lines. Supply Chain, Planning & Procurement Align demand planning (S&OP), procurement, inventory management, and logistics to support service levels. Reduce working capital, improve inventory turns, and optimize supplier performance. Engineering, Maintenance & Capital Projects Drive asset reliability, preventive maintenance, and capital planning/ROI-focused investments. Ensure facilities, utilities, and automation are scalable and compliant. Lead enterprise-wide CI initiatives (Lean, Six Sigma, kaizen) to drive cost-out and throughput gains. People, Culture & Talent Recruit, mentor, and develop leaders; manage succession planning and performance management. Foster an inclusive, collaborative, and high-performance work environment. Ensure OTIF (On-Time In-Full) delivery, responsive customer issue resolution, and consistent product quality. Identify operational risks and implement mitigation strategies; champion sustainable manufacturing practices. Qualifications & Experience Education: Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Supply Chain, or a related field. MBA or advanced degree preferred. Experience: 10+ years of manufacturing operations leadership, with at least five to seven years in senior operational roles. Experience in food or other CPG manufacturing is strongly preferred. Regulatory & Quality: In-depth knowledge of FSMA, FDA/USDA GMPs, labeling, allergen controls, and food safety audits. Continuous Improvement: Proven track record leading Lean/Six Sigma initiatives and delivering measurable productivity gains. Systems: Proficiency with ERP and WMS systems; strong data analytics and reporting capabilities. Leadership: Exceptional people leadership, change management, cross-functional collaboration, and strategic communication skills. Travel: Approximately 10-15% travel (domestic) as needed. #J-18808-Ljbffr