Vice President of Operations [HT-1055324]

PET MEADOW

VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS

THE PERSON

Are you an experienced operational leader who knows how to bring structure and accountability to a fast-growing, multi-location organization? Do you thrive on developing leaders and improving how work gets done as an organization grows? Can you drive stronger performance while protecting the dignity of the people you lead and the experience of the customers you serve? Are you comfortable challenging ideas, navigating difficult conversations, and making tough decisions when needed? If you are a forward-thinking leader who can scale operations without losing sight of the people and purpose behind the work, we want to talk to you!

Our ideal VP of Operations is:

• Empathetic & People-Focused : You lead with emotional intelligence, dignity, and respect, creating an environment where employees feel supported, heard, and comfortable bringing challenges forward.
• Operationally Driven & Detail-Oriented : You see the details without losing sight of the bigger picture, bringing discipline to processes, metrics, quality, and execution across multiple locations.
• A Courageous & Clear Communicator : You don’t shy away from hard conversations or respectfully challenging an idea. You seek to understand, set clear expectations, and earn respect through your judgment.
• A Forward-Thinking Problem Solver: You continuously seek better ways to operate, embrace technology and innovation, and use data and thoughtful problem solving to build scalable solutions.
• A Trusted & Accountable Leader: You do what you say you will do and expect the same from others. When challenges arise, people can count on you to take ownership and remain steady under pressure.

Our ideal Vice President of Operations understands this role is about more than running an efficient operation. You build operational foundations that support growth while protecting the quality, consistency, and compassionate service families and veterinary partners depend on. You develop leaders, strengthen systems, embrace innovation, and bring stability to complex, multi-location organizations. Most importantly, you understand that behind every process, metric, and decision is a family trusting us to care for a beloved pet with love and dignity.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The responsibilities of the VP of Operations role include, but are not limited to:

Enterprise Operations & Leadership

• Lead operational performance across Pet Meadow's national footprint, creating consistency, accountability, and alignment across regions and locations.
• Develop and execute long-term operational strategies supporting growth, capacity, new markets, and an expanding network of Centers of Excellence.
• Lead, mentor, and hold regional operational leaders accountable while building a strong leadership pipeline.
• Establish a consistent operational cadence using EOS® principles, including Level 10 Meetings, Rocks, Scorecards, KPIs, and IDS.
• Develop dashboards and KPIs that provide clear visibility into location performance and surface issues before they affect the business.
• Report directly to the CEO/COO and deliver monthly operational performance, CapEx tracking, and EBITDA progress reports to executive leadership and private equity sponsors.

Operational Excellence & Scalability

• Continuously improve production, processing, logistics, client service, purchasing, inventory, and operational workflows across locations.
• Standardize SOPs, work instructions, training, quality controls, and processes to improve efficiency, throughput, and consistency.
• Identify scaling challenges involving people, processes, facilities, equipment, capacity, and markets and implement sustainable solutions.
• Protect Pet Meadow's standards for quality, chain of custody, safety, compliance, and compassionate service.
• Ensure 100% regulatory and environmental compliance across all crematory facilities, including state DEP/EPA air quality permits, emissions monitoring, OSHA safety standards, and local zoning requirements.
• Define the operational organizational structure, clarifying regional spans of control, succession planning, and facility-level leadership accountability.

Financial & Performance Management

• Own operational financial performance, including P&L, cost per pet, labor utilization, budgets, CapEx, EBITDA opportunities, and operating margins.
• Use operational and financial data to forecast needs, allocate resources, and improve performance across the operation.

Growth, Technology & Change

• Lead operational integration of acquisitions, new locations, and Centers of Excellence, aligning people, processes, systems, and Pet Meadow standards.
• Partner with executive leadership and private equity stakeholders to translate growth objectives into operational plans and provide visibility into performance, risks, and resource needs.
• Lead organizational change, gaining employee buy-in and ensuring new processes, systems, and expectations are successfully implemented.
• Maintain a visible presence across Pet Meadow locations to understand challenges firsthand and keep decisions connected to the business.

** This is a full-time, hybrid position based in the Northeast, preferably in the New Jersey area, with approximately 40-50% travel throughout Pet Meadow’s national operations . **

QUALIFICATIONS 

Required

• 8-10+ years of progressive operational leadership experience, with responsibility for complex, multi-site or multi-regional operations at the VP, Senior Director, GM, COO, or equivalent level.
• Proven experience leading operations within a $30M-$50M+ organization, with responsibility for operational budgets, P&L performance, cost management, and improving results.
• Experience leading complex, quality-driven operations within manufacturing, production, logistics, healthcare services, or a similar multi-site environment.
• 5+ years within a corporate organization, with exposure to executive leadership and the performance expectations of a scaling business.

Preferred

• Experience helping an organization scale through significant growth, ideally from approximately $30M-$50M to $75M-$100M+.
• Experience supporting acquisitions, M&A integrations, new-location launches, or significant operational expansion.
• Experience implementing or optimizing ERP, CRM, HRIS, transportation, inventory, or data analytics platforms such as AWS, SAP, Oracle, Sage, Zoho, Power BI, Tableau, Motiv, PeopleSoft, or ADP.
• Experience developing KPIs, operational scorecards, dashboards, SOPs, and standardized processes across multiple locations.

Desired

• Experience with EOS® or a similar operating and accountability system.
• Experience with Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, ISO, EHS, OSHA, or similar continuous improvement, quality, and safety methodologies; Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification is a plus.
• Experience leading change management, process improvement, or project management initiatives across multiple locations.
• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, or related field; MBA, master's degree, or advanced certifications are a plus.

THE COMPANY – Pet Meadow

Pet Meadow is a family-owned and operated pet aftercare organization dedicated to helping families honor their beloved companions with dignity, compassion, and care. With roots dating back more than 100 years, Pet Meadow provides pet cremation, burial, memorial, and bereavement services, including True Private Cremation. As a member of the International Association of Pet Cemeteries and Crematories (IAOPCC), Pet Meadow upholds high ethical and professional standards in pet aftercare. Today, Pet Meadow combines its longstanding family values with continued growth and innovation, supporting pet families and veterinary partners across an expanding national footprint.

WHY WORK WITH US?

• Family-Owned, Connected Leadership. Work alongside accessible ownership and leaders who value relationships, compassion, and staying connected to their people and operations.
• Ideas That make an Impact. Bring new ideas, challenge processes, and have a meaningful voice in shaping how Pet Meadow grows.
• Make an Impact on Families. Lead work that supports families during an incredibly meaningful and emotional time.
• Shape Culture & Careers. Help strengthen Pet Meadow’s culture while creating meaningful career paths and advancement opportunities as the organization grows.
• Growth Backed by Investment. Help build the operational foundation for Pet Meadow’s rapid national expansion with the support of a private equity partner investing in its continued growth.
• Team-Focused Culture. Build relationships through cookouts, riding routes together, and other team activities.
• Quarterly Bonus Opportunity. Participate in a quarterly bonus program rewarding performance and contribution.
• Invest in Your Development. Take advantage of reimbursement for continued leadership development and education.

CORE VALUES:

• Reliable: We follow through on our commitments and consistently provide the level of care our families, partners, and teammates depend on.
• Empathetic: We lead with compassion and understanding, recognizing the emotional significance behind every family and pet we serve.
• Customer Focused: We keep the needs and experience of our families and veterinary partners at the center of everything we do.
• Dedicated: We take ownership of our work and remain committed to our people, our purpose, and delivering exceptional service.
• Detail Oriented: We understand that accuracy matters, approaching every detail with the care and attention necessary to protect quality, trust, and dignity.

Salary: $200k base salary + up to 20% performance-based bonus, paid quarterly and tied to achievement of EOS® Rocks and established performance goals. Target total compensation up to $240k annually.

Benefits: Comprehensive Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO, 401K match. 

If you’re ready to bring calm, confident leadership to a growing organization while building scalable operations and shaping the future of compassionate pet aftercare, then apply now!