Vice President of Operations

Cascade Engineering - Grand Rapids MI

Vice President of Operations

ROLE SUMMARY

The Vice President of Operations provides strategic and operational leadership across all production facilities ensuring world-class performance in safety quality delivery and cost. This role owns P&L performance for Cost of Goods Produced leads the implementation and continuous improvement of Lean and TPM systems and drives alignment among manufacturing engineering program management and supply chain functions. Reporting directly to the President the VP of Operations serves as a key member of the executive leadership team and plays a critical role in strengthening the companys competitive position operational disciplines and long-term growth trajectory.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Executive Leadership

• Provide strategic direction and executive oversight across Manufacturing Maintenance Quality Supply Chain Product Engineering and Program Management.
• Partner with the President and executive team to shape and execute longterm operational strategy.
• Build a highperformance culture grounded in safety accountability collaboration and continuous improvement.

Manufacturing & Operations Leadership

• Ensure safe efficient and highquality manufacturing across all facilities.
• Drive productivity cost competitiveness workforce engagement and operational consistency.
• Maintain worldclass manufacturing standards for injection molding extrusion and secondary processes.

Program Management

• Lead the Program Management function and ensure disciplined predictable execution of all programs.
• Establish governance standards and performance metrics that enable ontime oncost and onquality delivery.
• Drive crossfunctional alignment and accountability to meet customer and business commitments.
• Develop program management talent and organizational capability.

Engineering & Innovation

• Partner with Product Engineering leadership to ensure engineering strategies priorities and standards align with operational capabilities cost targets and customer requirements.
• Provide enterprise oversight for manufacturability process readiness and launch excellence ensuring new products transition smoothly from development to production.
• Collaborate with Engineering leadership on capital strategy facility layouts automation and equipment selection to support longterm operational performance and scalability.
• Serve as an escalation and integration point to resolve crossfunctional tradeoffs impacting safety quality delivery cost or timing.
• Ensure operational feedback loops inform product and process design to drive continuous improvement and innovation.

Integrated Supply Chain

• Partner with Supply Chain leadership to align sourcing logistics inventory and supplier strategies with operational needs cost targets and customer commitments.
• Provide operational input into make/buy footprint and capacity decisions to optimize total enterprise performance.
• Ensure manufacturing procurement and logistics operate with aligned KPIs planning rhythms and escalation processes.
• Collaborate on supplier development initiatives to improve quality delivery cost and risk mitigation across the value stream.
• Ensure warehouse and logistics strategies support current operations and future growth.

Drive Operational Excellence (Lean/TPM/CES)

• Champion Lean TPM and the Cascade Enterprise Lean System (CES).
• Ensure KPI alignment across all facilities
• Implement systems and processes that enhance transparency efficiency and performance.
• Develop and execute the operational strategy and manufacturing footprint plan.
• Establish and manage operational budgets and capital plans.
• Own COGP performance and ensure Operations leaders have the tools to manage P&Ls.
• Use financial data and KPIs to set priorities and drive improvement.

Compliance & Governance

• Ensure compliance with IATF 16949 ISO14001 and all regulatory requirements.
• Maintain worldclass safety standards and environmental stewardship.

People & Culture

• Build develop and mentor a strong leadership team.
• Ensure training and development programs support current and future operational needs.
• Foster a culture that reflects our values of dignity respect inclusion and continuous improvement.

MEASURES OF SUCCESS

• Year-over-year improvement in safety quality delivery and cost metrics
• Sustained Lean/TPM maturity improvements across all facilities
• Improved capital effectiveness (OEE utilization ROI)
• Bench strength and succession planning readiness
• Technological advancement (Industry 4.0 AI)
• On time and on budget product launches

CULTURE BEARER

• Understands and supports the values of the Triple Bottom Line (TBL)
• Exhibits high moral and ethical standards and high integrity
• Exhibit the principles of 7 Habits and Emotional Intelligence
• Values people regardless of their background
• Exhibits the traits of a servant leader
• Encourages open dialogue and communication
• Develops high trust relationships within all levels of the organization
• Pursues Excellence

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelors degree in engineering Operations Management Business Administration or a related field; masters degree/MBA strongly preferred.
• 15 years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing operations quality maintenance engineering program management and/or supply chain management.
• 5 years in a senior executive role overseeing complex multi-site manufacturing operations.
• Experience in plastics manufacturing including injection molding or comparable processes.
• Demonstrated expertise in Lean Manufacturing TPM ERP systems and integrated supply chain management.
• Strong financial and analytical acumen with a proven ability to drive improvements in cost quality delivery safety and innovation.
• Excellent executive leadership capabilities with a track record of developing high-performing teams and leading large-scale organizational change.
• Proven effectiveness in strategic planning and execution cross-functional collaboration and operational/engineering excellence.
• Customer-focused mindset with the ability to build strong internal and external relationships.