Vice President of Operations - Manufacturing

About the Company

The organization champions a culture where impactful decisions are made through straightforward conversations rather than cumbersome committee meetings. Every individual, from shop floor employees to executive leaders, is personally valued and recognized. Currently undergoing a generational leadership change, the company is infusing new energy and commitment toward operational excellence, while upholding a family-centric environment founded on transparency, accountability, and trust.

Role Overview

This position suits a hands-on operator who prefers leading directly within manufacturing environments rather than managing only from data. The role involves overseeing multi-site manufacturing operations amid significant growth. The individual will shape and execute two- to three-year operational strategies backed by a decisive executive team. This is an opportunity to establish a leadership legacy and build a dedicated team beyond simply maintaining existing frameworks.

Key Responsibilities

• Translate corporate objectives into tangible operational plans spanning multiple sites and departments.
• Instill and promote a safety-first mindset, prioritize quality, and enforce lean manufacturing principles.
• Manage manufacturing, maintenance, process engineering, and capital projects to increase operational efficiency.
• Enhance Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), minimize downtime, and optimize production yield and unit costs.
• Coordinate supply chain functions including demand planning (S&OP), procurement, inventory control, and logistics to ensure superior service levels.
• Reduce capital tied up in inventory, drive higher inventory turnover, and improve supplier performance.
• Lead asset reliability programs, preventive maintenance, and capital expenditure planning based on return on investment.
• Ensure manufacturing facilities, utilities, and automation systems can scale and comply with regulations.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives such as Lean, Six Sigma, and Kaizen to reduce costs and improve throughput.
• Recruit, develop, and mentor leadership teams; manage succession planning and performance evaluations.
• Create and sustain an inclusive, cooperative, and high-achieving workplace culture.
• Guarantee On-Time In-Full (OTIF) deliveries, swiftly resolve customer issues, and maintain product quality standards.
• Identify operational risks, implement mitigation measures, and promote sustainable manufacturing practices.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Supply Chain, or related fields; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• Over 10 years of leadership experience in manufacturing operations, including 5-7 years in senior operational roles.
• Strong preference for candidates with experience in food production or consumer packaged goods (CPG) manufacturing sectors.
• Comprehensive knowledge of regulatory frameworks such as FSMA, FDA/USDA Good Manufacturing Practices, labeling requirements, allergen controls, and food safety audits.
• Proven accomplishments leading Lean and Six Sigma continuous improvement projects that result in quantifiable productivity enhancements.
• Expertise with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), combined with strong data analysis and reporting capabilities.
• Outstanding leadership skills focusing on people development, change management, cross-departmental collaboration, and strategic communication.
• Availability for approximately 10-15% domestic travel as the role requires.