Vice President of Operations

• Lead operations and manufacturing at a global food company.
• RELOCATION TO WISCONSIN IS REQUIRED FOR THIS ROLE.

About Our Client

Emmi Roth, a subsidiary of Switzerland's Emmi Group, is a leading producer of specialty and artisan cheeses in the United States. With a strong heritage of craftsmanship and innovation, the company combines traditional cheesemaking techniques with modern practices to deliver award-winning products across retail and foodservice channels. Emmi Roth operates multiple production facilities in Wisconsin and is committed to sustainability, local sourcing, and quality. Joining Emmi Roth means becoming part of a culture that values creativity, collaboration, and excellence in the dairy industry.

Job Description

Operating with full executive authority within established governance frameworks, the Vice President of Operations partners closely with the VP of Supply Chain to jointly steward end-to-end value chain outcomes, balancing performance, resilience, and growth.

• Enterprise-wide accountability for operational outcomes across all manufacturing facilities, including safety, quality, service, productivity, cost, and ESG outcomes
• Strategic leadership of the Operations function, establishing strategic direction, enterprise priorities, and performance frameworks that enable long-term success
• Oversight of manufacturing, production, employee safety, food safety, maintenance, engineering, R& D and operational excellence capabilities, with full decision authority across these domains
• Ownership of the Operations P&L, including financial performance, capital allocation, and long-range investment strategy, with authority to direct resources within approved plans
• Definition and advancement of a multi-year Operations strategy aligned with Emmi Roth and Emmi Group objectives
• Enterprise accountability for compliance, risk management, and governance across food safety, quality, regulatory, environmental, and employee safety standards
• Strategic partnership with the VP of Supply Chain to co-own value chain performance, aligning trade-offs and outcomes across service, cost, inventory, and supply continuity
• Leadership of organizational capability, including leadership and development, succession planning, and leadership pipeline development within Operations

• Active contributor to enterprise strategy and decision-making as a member of the Executive Leadership Team
• Drives and owns organizational design and functional maturity, ensuring the Operations organization evolves in line with business growth and complexity
• Strategic liaison with Emmi Group Supply Chain leadership, ensuring alignment, transparency, and global integration
• Executive sponsor of capital strategy, manufacturing network evolution, automation, and digital transformation initiatives, with authority aligned to enterprise investment governance
• Executive representative of Operations with internal and external stakeholders, reinforcing credibility, influence, and enterprise alignment

• Translate enterprise strategy into integrated operational priorities, roadmaps, and measurable business outcomes
• Leverage data, insights, and forward-looking indicators to anticipate risk, identify opportunity, and guide enterprise-level decisions
• Champion enterprise initiatives, including continuous improvement, advanced manufacturing, automation, and productivity acceleration
• Establish and uphold enterprise-wide performance systems, ensuring transparency, rigor, and accountability at all levels
• Foster a culture grounded in safety, quality, ownership, accountability, and continuous improvement
• Provide leadership in navigating complex, cross-functional challenges, ensuring alignment and decisive, enterprise-level resolution

The Successful Applicant

Qualifications

• Degree in Business, Engineering, Supply Chain, or related discipline
• MBA or equivalent advanced degree preferred, or comparable experience
• Extensive senior leadership experience within Operations, preferably in complex manufacturing environments
• Demonstrated success within food manufacturing
• Proven accountability for operational P&L performance and capital investment strategy
• Track record of leading enterprise transformation and large-scale operational initiatives
• Fluency in English required; additional languages advantageous

• Enterprise-oriented leader with the ability to balance strategic vision and operational depth
• Decisive, outcomes-focused leader with demonstrated ownership and accountability for outcomes in complex environments
• Collaborative value chain leader, adept at aligning cross-functional priorities and delivering integrated results
• Exceptional developer of talent, with a focus on leadership capability, succession, and organizational effectiveness
• High degree of leadership presence, emotional intelligence, and resilience, with the ability to influence at all levels

What's on Offer

• Competitive annual salary, bonus, and car allowance.
• Comprehensive benefits package to support your well-being.
• Opportunity to work in a leadership role within the FMCG industry.
• Collaborative and professional work environment in Stoughton.
• Potential for career growth and advancement within the organization.

Contact

Michael O'Connor

Quote job ref

JN-052026-7014687