VP, Operations

Company Description

WHO WE ARE

fresh is a global skincare brand within the LVMH Group, headquartered in New York City. We emphasize the look, feel, and scent in every product, transforming skincare into an elevated, sensual experience. Our collection of skincare, lip care, bodycare, and fragrances are available in 16 countries, across our fresh boutiques and digital channels, specialty and department stores, and more.

We are an organization of curious creators who embrace innovation, optimism, and always keep our customers at the forefront. With a pioneering spirit, we are empowered to challenge the status quo and use our authentic voice to do the right thing for our people, our brand, and the environment.

Here at fresh, we intentionally foster a spirit of belonging. We celebrate our diversity and support every employee to feel welcomed, valued, respected, and heard. By embracing curiosity and collaboration, we recognize that our differences strengthen us.

MAIN JOB OBJECTIVE

The Vice President, Operations is a pivotal leader responsible for optimizing and integrating critical operational functions. This role encompasses strategic oversight of new product planning/project management, purchasing, sustainability, regulatory compliance, quality, and process engineering to ensure all products meet the highest standards of innovation, compliance, cost-effectiveness, and social & environmental responsibility.

The VP will balance strict adherence to quality, regulatory, social responsibility and sustainability commitments with business viability, leading cross-functional teams to drive growth and operational excellence.

The successful candidate will bring strong operational judgment, strategic thinking, people leadership, and senior stakeholder influence to build a more proactive, agile and resilient Operations organization.

Job Description

New Product Planning & Project Management

• Lead the strategic planning and execution of new product introductions from concept to commercialization.
• Partner with stakeholders to establish robust processes, clear timelines, milestones, and resource allocation.

Quality & Process Engineering

• Define and implement the strategy for Quality Assurance and Quality Control
• Ensure products put on the market are conform to agreed internal specifications, customer expectations and industry standards
• Champion process engineering initiatives and data-driven continuous improvement across manufacturing, operational workflows.

Regulatory

• Ensure all products, processes, copy, and claims comply with national and international regulatory requirements.
• Proactively adapt strategies to evolving regulatory landscapes, working closely with LVMH Scientific Direction to balance compliance with business objectives.

Purchasing

• Define and lead the global purchasing and sourcing strategy in alignment with business growth, quality standards, and compliance commitments.
• Oversee sourcing of raw materials, components, packaging, and external manufacturing to ensure continuity of supply, cost competitiveness, and ethical practices.
• Build strong supplier relationships, leading commercial negotiations, supplier selection, performance management and sourcing strategies.

Sustainability

• Lead operational sustainability initiatives, including responsible material selection, packaging optimization, waste reduction, and supplier environmental performance in line with corporate goals.

Leadership & Team Development

• Build, mentor, and lead high-performing teams, fostering a culture of critical thinking, innovation, and accountability.
• Drive performance management, talent development, and transparent communication across direct and indirect reports.
• Act as a business driver by setting objectives, reviewing KPIs, and aligning team focus with organizational priorities.

What you will learn in the first 6 months:

• Build a strong understanding of fresh's operating model, product portfolio, key business cycles, service expectations and supply chain network,
• Assess current processes to identify strengths, risks, gaps, and near-term improvement opportunities.
• Establish strong relationships with Global Product Innovation, Marketing, Creative, Supply Chain, Commercial, Finance and IT to create alignment on priorities, rules & responsibilities and decision-making.
• Develop an initial improvement roadmap for review with the Management, including prioritized actions, resource needs, risks, and expected business impact.

What you will achieve in 12 months:

• Successfully lead new product introductions from concept to market on schedule.
• Unify all departments around ambitious but realistic timelines
• Establish and enforce unified quality frameworks that match industry standards.
• Secure full product and claim compliance under changing international laws.
• Deliver COGS optimizations through various initiatives, incl. but not limited to Value Analysis and Value Engineering
• Define and implement sustainability roadmap
• Build a high-performing team with clear accountabilities, development plans, succession visibility, and a continuous improvement mindset.
• Partner with management to present a forward-looking Operations roadmap that supports business growth, operational resilience, system optimization, and scalable network performance.

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position on average of 7.5 hours/day.
• Light to moderate lifting may be required.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be regularly required to stand, sit, reach, stoop, kneel, and operate a computer, telephone, and keyboard.

Qualifications

PROFILE

You have:

• 12-15+ years of progressive technical services or operations experience in beauty /cosmetics industry, including experience leading multiple functions, managing teams, influencing senior stakeholders, and driving enterprise-level operational improvements.
• Demonstrated success leading operations functions, including process engineering, regulatory, quality, new product planning, purchasing
• Deep knowledge of quality systems and regulatory frameworks for beauty / cosmetics
• Proven experience managing and developing teams, including direct people leadership and cross-functional influence.
• Ability to balance strategic leadership with hands-on operational judgment, moving comfortably between long-range planning, executive communication, and day-to-day problem solving.
• Experience building KPIs, improving processes, and driving measurable performance outcomes in complex operating environments.
• Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Strong executive presence, communication skills, and ability to influence across all levels of the organization.
• Education requirements: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, Operations, or a related field required

Additional Information

WHAT WE OFFER YOU

Training & Development and Culture

• Fresh and LVMH Sponsored Trainings and Workshops for Personal and Professional Development
• Opportunities for networking and building relationships with LVMH Community and Network
• Opportunities to join internal communities: DEIB Council, Sustainability Champions, LVMH Employee Resource Groups

Mental Health Support

• Free professional consultation, referrals and counseling through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Free 24/7 confidential mental health support

Paid Time Off and Flexibility

• Flexible paid time off policy inclusive of Summer Fridays

Fertility and Family Planning

• Fertility Services, Maternity and Newborn Support, Adoption and Surrogacy Assistance, including cryopreservation when part of fertility treatment
• Paid Parental Leave (Inclusive of Maternity, Paternity, Adoption, Surrogacy) at eligibility
• Travel & lodging for those who can't access care
• Back-up dependent Care and Tutoring

Fresh and LVMH 'Perks' and Discounts

• Fresh In-Store Discounts and Gratis
• LVMH Group Friends and Family Sales across all divisions within LVMH: Wines and Spirits, Watches and Jewelry, Perfumes and Cosmetics, Fashion and Leather Goods, etc.
• Pre-Tax Commuter Benefits through Wage Works
• Additional Health Club Discounts, Sporting/Entertainment Ticket Discounts, Insurance Discounts (Pet, renters, home)

Health Care

• Medical, dental and vision

Retirement and Additional Benefits

• 401k with Company Match + Additional Employer Contribution at eligibility

Fresh provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, sex, gender (including gender identity and expression), pregnancy, age, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital status, familial status, veteran status, or any other legally protected status under applicable federal, state or local laws. We are committed to fostering a professional work environment free from discrimination and harassment, including discrimination and harassment based on all protected categories.

The salary range for this role is $200,000 - $280,000 USD.

This role is based in Jersey City, NJ.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.