Vice President Operations

A rapidly expanding manufacturer of highly engineered industrial equipment is seeking an accomplished Vice President of Operations to lead and optimize an engineered-to-order production environment. This executive will be responsible for driving operational performance across fabrication, precision machining, manufacturing, and final equipment integration while supporting the organization's continued growth and profitability objectives.

The successful candidate will be a strategic yet hands-on leader with a strong track record of building high-performing teams, improving operational efficiency, and delivering measurable financial results. This role requires a leader who can effectively balance day-to-day operational execution with long-term business strategy, ensuring scalable growth, exceptional customer satisfaction, and sustainable profitability.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide executive leadership for all manufacturing and operational functions across the organization.
• Direct fabrication, CNC machining, welding, assembly, quality assurance, production planning, and scheduling activities.
• Drive operational excellence initiatives focused on productivity, efficiency, throughput, and customer delivery performance.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators related to safety, quality, on-time delivery, labor utilization, capacity, and operational effectiveness.
• Maintain full accountability for operational financial performance, including budget management and profit optimization.
• Evaluate manufacturing costs, labor performance, margins, and return-on-investment opportunities to improve overall business results.
• Identify and implement strategic cost-reduction initiatives while maintaining product quality and customer satisfaction.
• Champion Lean Manufacturing principles and continuous improvement programs throughout the organization.
• Optimize workflow processes, resource allocation, capacity planning, and manufacturing execution strategies.
• Build, mentor, and develop leadership teams while fostering a culture of accountability, engagement, and performance.
• Ensure compliance with safety standards and quality requirements while supporting a customer-focused operating environment.
• Partner with executive leadership to develop and execute strategic growth initiatives and operational scaling plans.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of 8 years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience, including senior-level operational responsibility.
• Demonstrated success managing full P&L accountability within a manufacturing organization.
• Proven ability to improve profitability through operational efficiencies, margin enhancement, labor optimization, and cost management initiatives.
• Experience within custom machinery, industrial equipment, automation systems, capital equipment, or OEM manufacturing environments.
• Strong understanding of fabrication, CNC machining, welding, metal manufacturing, and complex assembly operations.
• Experience leading operations within high-mix, low-volume, engineered-to-order manufacturing environments.
• ERP/MRP systems experience with the ability to leverage data for operational decision-making.

Due to the confidential nature of this search, the opportunity is being advertised across multiple U.S. markets and may not reflect the actual position location. Qualified candidates should be open to relocation, with relocation assistance provided. Compensation includes a base salary up to $175K plus a 25% performance bonus opportunity.

Custom Machinery Manufacturing | Industrial Automation | Packaging Machinery | Capital Equipment | OEM Manufacturing | CNC Machining & Fabrication | Engineered-to-Order Manufacturing | Operational Excellence | Continuous Improvement

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