Vice President of Operations

Vice President of Operations

Position Summary

The Vice President of Operations provides strategic leadership and technical expertise to plan, organize, and direct the overall success of operations across two facilities. This role is accountable for achieving strategic business goals, operational excellence, and key performance measures. Decisions and actions will have long-term impact on organizational effectiveness and success. The VP will manage subordinate managers, resolve critical issues, and ensure effective operations in manufacturing, inventory control, and material management - maximizing lean practices, visual systems, and workforce flexibility. This role also ensures alignment and consistent operational direction across both companies.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Planning

• Develop and execute operational strategies aligned with corporate goals.
• Prepare and maintain annual business plans and budgets.
• Translate long-term objectives into actionable short-term plans.
• Drive continuous improvement through lean manufacturing principles and world-class practices.

Operational Excellence

• Oversee manufacturing, production planning, inventory control, and material flow.
• Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and regulatory standards (OSHA, ANSI, EPA, UL/CSA).
• Implement and improve operational systems, visual management, and value stream mapping.
• Manage facility security, maintenance, and emergency preparedness, and support facility improvements through capital planning.
• Set operating standards for safety, quality, and productivity across both sites.
• Ensure consistent use of operational systems across both organizations.

Financial Management

• Manage operational budgets and capital expenditures.
• Monitor plant performance, analyze trends, and address variances.
• Focus on product margins and cost optimization throughout program lifecycle.
• Review functional performance metrics and drive corrective actions.

Leadership & Talent Development

• Build and lead a strong plant leadership team.
• Hire, coach, and develop key technical and managerial personnel.
• Foster cross-functional collaboration and team-based culture.
• Act as a change leader to drive adoption of new processes, systems, and technologies across both sites.
• Manage staffing levels and adjust for workload changes.

Customer & Stakeholder Engagement

• Maintain strong relationships with internal teams and external customers.
• Ensure timely delivery, quality standards, and customer satisfaction.
• Represent operations in leadership team discussions on business strategy, product development, and organizational design.

Technical Competencies

• Operational Systems: Deep knowledge of manufacturing processes, production planning, inventory management, and quality control.
• Financial Acumen: Ability to manage budgets, analyze financial data, and optimize margins.
• Project Management: Skilled in defining objectives, developing plans, and ensuring timely execution.
• Communication: Strong written and verbal skills; able to present with impact and clarity.
• Change Leadership: Ability to lead organizational change initiatives effectively.
• Compliance: Knowledge of safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements.