Senior Vice President, Military Operations

About the Role

A prominent organization specializing in business and industry dining is searching for a Senior Vice President of Military Operations to provide visionary leadership and oversee operations across multiple sites. This executive position entails steering operational excellence, achieving financial targets, enhancing customer experiences, and spearheading growth strategies within a complex foodservice and food manufacturing landscape.

Core Responsibilities

• Provide executive oversight and strategic guidance for all operational facets, including production, foodservice, quality assurance, supply chain, warehousing, logistics, and field operations.
• Formulate and implement operational plans that promote business expansion, profitability, and market growth.
• Champion continuous improvement efforts focused on boosting efficiency, productivity, safety, quality, and customer satisfaction.
• Define, track, and improve key performance indicators (KPIs) to heighten operational effectiveness and financial outcomes.
• Lead and cultivate diverse, multi-site teams, fostering a culture characterized by accountability, innovation, engagement, and exceptional performance.
• Collaborate closely with executive leadership to drive transformation initiatives, optimize processes, and manage organizational change.
• Establish and sustain productive relationships with customers, suppliers, strategic partners, and internal stakeholders.
• Coordinate with Sales, Finance, Human Resources, Quality, and Supply Chain teams to ensure alignment between operations and corporate objectives.
• Ensure strict adherence to company standards, safety regulations, risk management protocols, and compliance requirements.
• Develop succession plans and mentor emerging leaders to reinforce organizational strength.

Financial and Business Oversight

• Hold responsibility for maintaining operational financial health, including budgeting, forecasting, cost management, and profitability.
• Direct profit and loss management, identifying avenues to enhance margins, productivity, and operational efficiency.
• Analyze performance metrics to formulate data-driven strategies for sustainable business growth.

Quality, Safety, and Compliance

• Ensure compliance with food safety laws, quality standards, customer expectations, and operational policies.
• Lead preparations for audits and regulatory inspections, drive corrective actions, and pursue continual compliance improvements.
• Promote a safety- and quality-focused culture that prioritizes operational excellence.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, Engineering, Food Science, Hospitality Management, Supply Chain, or related field.
• Master’s degree such as an MBA preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years progressive experience in executive operations leadership roles.
• Demonstrated success managing multi-location operations in food manufacturing, foodservice, hospitality, consumer products, supply chain, or similar sectors.
• Proven track record of driving operational improvements, financial results, and organizational development.
• Experience directing large teams and managing intricate organizational frameworks.
• Strong knowledge of continuous improvement practices, quality control systems, and regulatory compliance.
• Preferred experience includes high-growth companies, transformational changes, private equity-backed firms, or turnaround environments.
• Highly desirable military leadership, military service, or military operations background.

Leadership Attributes

• Ability to conceptualize strategic vision and translate it into operational execution.
• Robust business and financial management competence.
• Commanding executive presence with excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Proven ability to manage complexity, rapid change, and organizational growth.
• Demonstrated capability to motivate teams, develop leaders, and cultivate a high-performance culture.

Travel Requirements

This position necessitates extensive travel, estimated at over 60%, to support various operational locations as required by the business.

Compensation and Benefits

• Annual base salary ranging from $250,000 to $275,000.
• Potential for annual bonus incentives.
• Relocation support provided.
• Company vehicle lease or allowance extended.