VP of Operations

Role Type Full-time, onsite operations leadership Location Hollywood, Florida — daily physical presence required Reports To CEO Compensation Competitive base + performance incentives. Stock options opportunity for the right leader. Growth Path Potential track toward COO-level responsibility as the company scales Candidate Focus Current/recent operations leader with systems capability, floor presence, financial acumen, accountability, and process‑improvement strength About the Role A family‑owned and operated wholesale distribution and manufacturing company with over 50 years of industry excellence and a stellar reputation is seeking a hands‑on VP of Operations to lead and bring structure to day‑to‑day operations at headquarters in Hollywood, Florida. This role is for a hands‑on leader who sets clear standards, holds the team accountable, and leads by example. We are specifically looking for someone who is currently leading operations or has done so within the past year. The right candidate will be a proven, hands‑on leader who is systems‑capable, operationally sharp, and ready to step into a fast‑moving onsite environment and enhance the structure that it needs to scale. The VP of Operations will be the senior operational leader onsite, reporting directly to the CEO, with clear authority to set standards, manage the team, and decide how the floor runs day to day — backed by leadership to make those calls. This is not a sit‑in‑the‑office role. It requires walking the floor, identifying issues, solving problems, jumping into production or shipping when needed, and leading by example while holding a clear, consistent standard. We care deeply about culture and believe in building a workplace that is productive, safe, respectful, motivating, and enjoyable to be part of. The right leader will help create an environment where people know what is expected, take pride in their work, support each other, and feel motivated to help the company grow. For the right person, this is not just a job — it is an opportunity to help build the operating foundation of a growing company and grow into broader executive operations leadership. Key Responsibilities Lead onsite daily operations across production, shipping, inventory, warehouse, and facility workflow. Set clear performance standards and hold the team to them consistently, addressing issues directly and early. Manage, coach, and develop team members, and have direct conversations when performance falls short. Build, implement, and maintain SOPs, checklists, scorecards, and daily operating routines that create consistency and accountability across the operation. Develop and manage KPIs for all employees and departments — ensuring every team member has clear, measurable performance targets and understands what success looks like. Monitor production priorities, shipping performance, order flow, inventory movement, and bottlenecks. Ensure safety, quality, accuracy, cleanliness, and accountability across the facility. Identify problems early and communicate clearly with the CEO. Create the structure and consistency this operation needs, and make sure processes are followed. Reduce errors, delays, rework, inefficiencies, and management firefighting. Identify and drive cost‑saving opportunities across operations without compromising quality or team morale. Build and uphold customer service standards that ensure every interaction, order, and delivery reflects the quality and reliability our customers expect. Support profitable growth by improving execution, productivity, quality, and operational consistency. Ideal Candidate Profile We are looking for someone who is: A confident, decisive leader who is comfortable setting the standard and holding people to it — firm and fair, not heavy‑handed. Willing to have direct conversations when standards slip, and to follow through. High EQ, sharp, practical, quick‑thinking, and able to solve problems independently. Energetic, hands‑on, and physically able to work on the floor throughout the day; able to safely lift up to 50 lbs. Strong with computers, spreadsheets, and business systems — ERP/WMS, inventory systems, e‑commerce platforms, Slack, dashboards, and AI tools; Power BI a plus. Financially literate — able to read, interpret, and act on a P&L and balance sheet, identify cost‑saving opportunities, and make operational decisions with a clear understanding of their financial impact. This is not a CFO role, but financial awareness and accountability are essential. Experienced managing hourly teams and holding people accountable. Clear, direct, and professional in written and verbal communication; calm under pressure. Committed to creating a workplace that is safe, productive, respectful, and motivating. Interested in helping build a company, not just maintaining one. Fluency in English required; Spanish fluency strongly preferred. Experience We'd Like to See Currently in an operations leadership role, or has held one within the past year. Minimum 5 years of operations leadership experience in manufacturing, warehouse, fulfillment, distribution, e‑commerce, plant operations, or a product‑based business. Proven experience managing hourly onsite teams in a physical facility. Track record improving workflow, throughput, quality, inventory accuracy, labor efficiency, and daily execution. Demonstrated ability to identify and realize cost savings across operations — reducing waste, improving margins, and making smarter purchasing and resource decisions. Experience building and managing KPI frameworks across departments — from warehouse and production to customer service and administration. Comfortable working directly with financial reports; able to translate P&L and balance sheet data into operational priorities and decisions. Strong systems ability: ERP, WMS, inventory systems, e‑commerce/shipping platforms, dashboards and reporting tools. Bachelor's in Business, Operations Management, Supply Chain, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing, Logistics, or a related field strongly preferred; MBA a plus; equivalent hands‑on experience will also be considered. Experience overseeing production equipment, machinery, tools, and facility‑related operational assets. Experience with inventory control, cycle counts, picking/packing, shipping, production planning, purchasing/material flow, and order fulfillment. Experience creating and enforcing SOPs, KPIs, checklists, scorecards, daily operating routines, and training processes. Uses AI tools. Experience in a small to mid‑sized growing company where the leader had to wear many hats and build structure from the ground up. Wholesale distribution, manufacturing, e‑commerce, or fulfillment experience is a plus. What Success Looks Like In the first 90 days, the right person will: Learn the people, products, systems, workflows, and current operational challenges. Establish clearer, more consistent standards across production, shipping, inventory, and facility routines. Build trust with the team while setting clearer expectations. Identify the biggest operational bottlenecks and risks, and communicate them to the CEO. Communicate effectively with the CEO on a daily basis. Document and reinforce key processes so they are followed consistently. Introduce a KPI framework that gives every department and employee clear, measurable performance targets. Move measurable targets: order accuracy, on‑time ship rate, inventory accuracy, and reduced rework. Identify early cost‑saving opportunities and present a prioritized plan to leadership. Create enough onsite consistency that the CEO no longer has to resolve the same issues repeatedly. Help strengthen the culture by creating a more organized, accountable, safe, and motivating work environment. Deliver a practical plan for improving operations over the next 6–12 months. Compensation Competitive base salary commensurate with experience, capability, leadership fit, and overall alignment with the role, plus performance incentives. Stock options opportunity for the right leader. Benefits include medical and dental insurance. Location — Hollywood, Florida This is a full‑time onsite position in Hollywood, Florida. This role requires daily physical presence at the company's headquarters. Candidates must already live within commuting distance or be willing to relocate at their own expense. Hollywood, Florida is a vibrant coastal city located in Broward County, situated between Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Known for its beautiful beaches, thriving restaurant scene, and strong business community, Hollywood offers an exceptional quality of life with a warm climate year‑round. For candidates considering relocation, the city is conveniently located just 5–10 minutes from Fort Lauderdale‑Hollywood International Airport (FLL), one of South Florida's major airports with direct flights to destinations across the United States and internationally. The broader Miami metropolitan area is approximately 30 minutes south, offering world‑class dining, culture, and entertainment. Please include your resume, LinkedIn profile, and a brief note on why this role interests you. #J-18808-Ljbffr