VP of Operations

Department: Operations

FLSA Status: Exempt

Job Status: Full Time

Summary/Objective

The Vice President of Operations is responsible for providing strategic and operational leadership across Freedom Waterworks manufacturing fabrication warehouse logistics and related operational functions. This position ensures operations are performed safely efficiently and consistently while meeting customer commitments quality standards financial objectives and company goals. The VP of Operations leads operational managers establishes performance expectations and accountability and drives continuous improvement initiatives that support the continued growth and scalability of Freedom Waterworks.

The VP of Operations is responsible for strengthening operational processes and developing scalable systems throughout the organization. This position partners closely with executive leadership and Human Resources on organizational planning workforce needs leadership development and succession planning while building a strong culture of safety accountability reliability and operational excellence.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight for manufacturing fabrication warehouse logistics purchasing and other assigned operational functions.
• Develop and execute operational strategies that support company growth profitability customer service and long-term business objectives.
• Lead coach develop and hold accountable operational managers and department leaders.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators related to safety quality productivity labor utilization cost capacity throughput and on-time delivery.
• Oversee operational budgets labor costs expenses productivity and overall financial performance of assigned operational functions.
• Partner with Finance to evaluate budgets forecasts operational costs margins capital expenditures and opportunities to improve profitability.
• Evaluate production capacity staffing equipment utilization workflow and facility requirements to ensure resources are aligned with business needs.
• Identify operational risks constraints and inefficiencies and implement corrective actions and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Develop standardize and maintain operational processes SOPs controls and performance expectations across departments.
• Ensure operational departments maintain high standards for product quality workmanship process consistency and customer satisfaction.
• Promote a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with applicable OSHA requirements company safety programs policies and procedures.
• Partner with Human Resources on workforce planning recruiting needs performance management employee development succession planning and organizational structure.
• Develop leadership capabilities throughout Operations and establish succession plans for critical management and supervisory positions.
• Collaborate with Sales Project Management Purchasing Drafting and other departments to align operational priorities with customer and business requirements.
• Evaluate and recommend capital investments in equipment technology facilities and operational infrastructure based on business needs and expected return on investment.
• Use operational and financial data to identify trends evaluate performance and make informed business decisions.
• Provide the CEO President and executive leadership with regular updates regarding operational performance risks opportunities and recommended actions.
• Lead operational planning associated with business growth increased production requirements new capabilities and other strategic initiatives.
• Build strong working relationships across departments to ensure exceptional customer service and project execution.
• Foster a culture of accountability teamwork continuous improvement safety and operational excellence.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Skills and Abilities

• Strong business and financial acumen with the ability to understand budgets financial statements operational costs margins and return on investment.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute operational strategies aligned with organizational and financial objectives.
• Strong leadership and people-development skills with experience leading managers and building high-performing teams.
• Ability to establish measurable KPIs and use operational data to drive accountability and performance improvement.
• Strong understanding of production planning capacity management labor utilization quality control inventory management and continuous improvement.
• Knowledge of applicable workplace safety and regulatory requirements including OSHA standards.
• Strong analytical problem-solving organizational communication and decision-making skills.
• Ability to identify operational challenges and implement sustainable scalable solutions.
• Ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with executive leadership and leaders across multiple departments.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and ERP/business management systems such as Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central or similar software.

Education and Experience

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive operations manufacturing fabrication or industrial leadership experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of senior-level leadership experience with responsibility for managers and multiple operational functions.
• Demonstrated experience managing operational budgets labor costs productivity financial performance and capital expenditures.
• Experience leading manufacturing fabrication warehouse logistics or other industrial operations.
• Demonstrated experience implementing operational improvements KPIs SOPs and accountability systems.
• Bachelors degree in Business Administration Operations Management Engineering Manufacturing Supply Chain or a related field preferred; equivalent combination of education and significant relevant experience will be considered.
• Lean Manufacturing Six Sigma or similar continuous improvement certification preferred.
• Experience in the municipal waterworks pipe fabrication industrial manufacturing or related industry preferred.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in both office and manufacturing environments.
• Frequent walking throughout the fabrication facility.
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE) while in production areas.
• Ability to travel as needed based on business and operational requirements.