Vice President Operations

About the Role

Our client is a leading manufacturer specializing in highly engineered industrial equipment production, focusing on high-mix, low-volume products serving critical commercial and industrial sectors. With ongoing growth driven by operational excellence and strategic investments, they are searching for a Vice President of Operations to provide hands-on leadership across multiple manufacturing businesses.

This role demands proactive on-site involvement rather than traditional corporate supervision. As an operational "special forces" leader, the VP will be dispatched to facilities requiring urgent leadership or performance improvement—whether to stabilize operations, lead turnarounds, support new management, or act in interim senior roles. This executive is expected to actively engage on the floor and lead by example.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate with senior executives to define operational priorities and take charge at manufacturing sites needing immediate leadership or execution aid.
• Drive operational recoveries by addressing challenges related to safety, quality, delivery, productivity, inventory management, labor efficiency, and profitability.
• Act as a trusted partner to site Presidents, General Managers, and Operations leaders, ensuring accountability and results.
• Lead continuous improvement events such as Kaizen, value stream optimization, and production recovery projects personally.
• Quickly identify operational problems through direct manufacturing floor engagement and implement pragmatic action plans.
• Implement standardized best practices across diverse business units while tailoring approaches to each operation's unique context.
• Coach and develop plant leadership teams fostering sustainable operational capabilities beyond immediate fixes.
• Work alongside Supply Chain, Engineering, Quality, Finance, and Commercial departments to eliminate barriers affecting execution.
• Support activities related to facility launches, capacity expansions, footprint optimization, and key strategic initiatives.
• Assume interim VP/General Manager or senior leadership roles as needed for stable transitions or during periods requiring accelerated change.
• Track operational progress using KPIs while maintaining a strong hands-on presence on the manufacturing floor.
• Cultivate a culture focused on accountability, urgency, continuous improvement, and servant leadership principles.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Business, or related disciplines; MBA preferred.
• Minimum of 15 years of advancing leadership experience in manufacturing, particularly within high-mix, low-volume industrial environments.
• Experience managing multiple manufacturing sites or business units.
• Successful background in leading operational turnarounds, culture changes, and performance enhancements.
• Past roles include Plant Manager, General Manager, VP of Operations, Division Operations Leader, or comparable executive positions.
• In-depth knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Operational Excellence, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Strong financial skills with a record of boosting operational profitability and working capital.
• Ability to influence all organizational levels from executives to frontline workers.
• Proven capacity to quickly assess complex situations, prioritize effectively, and execute with urgency.
• Willingness to travel extensively (50–75%) across North American manufacturing facilities.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is a hands-on operator passionate about resolving complex manufacturing issues directly on-site rather than from a corporate office. They bring credibility through demonstrated success improving struggling operations and developing high-performing leadership teams within demanding manufacturing settings.

This person is flexible, ready to coach executive teams, lead plant turnarounds, and serve in interim VP or General Manager roles as business needs dictate. They are equally adept analyzing financial performance in boardrooms and overcoming production challenges on the floor. Thriving in ambiguous and fast-paced environments, they are motivated by making concrete operational improvements with lasting organizational benefits.

Success Indicators

• Rapid restoration and enhancement of underperforming manufacturing operations.
• Long-term safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and profitability improvements across various facilities.
• Robust development of operational leadership through consistent coaching and mentoring.
• Effective completion of strategic manufacturing initiatives and critical business projects.
• Establishment of a culture emphasizing accountability, operational discipline, and continuous improvement replicable enterprise-wide.