Vice President Operations

About the role

We're excited to support a global food manufacturing organization in its search for a strategic and transformational Vice President of Operations to lead its multi-site manufacturing network across Wisconsin and Minnesota. This is an onsite role with 40% travel, located in the Fox Valley area of Wisconsin.

As the Vice President of Operations, you'll serve as a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, providing strategic and operational leadership for five manufacturing facilities while driving operational excellence, manufacturing network optimization, and long-term business growth.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the long-term operations strategy for a five-site manufacturing network aligned with overall business objectives.
• Lead multi-site manufacturing, engineering, maintenance, warehousing, logistics, and supply chain operations while optimizing safety, quality, service, productivity, and profitability.
• Drive operational excellence through Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, and structured problem-solving methodologies that improve OEE, labor productivity, cost, waste reduction, and customer satisfaction.
• Lead manufacturing footprint optimization, capacity planning, automation initiatives, capital investment strategies, and network transformation projects that support future growth.
• Build, coach, and develop a high-performing operations leadership team while strengthening organizational capability, succession planning, and employee engagement.
• Partner cross-functionally with Commercial, Supply Chain, Finance, Quality, Engineering, and Global Operations to deliver strategic business objectives.
• Foster a culture built on accountability, collaboration, operational discipline, and continuous improvement while leading organizational change across multiple manufacturing locations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Operations Management, or a related discipline.
• 15+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience with significant responsibility for complex multi-site operations, preferably within food manufacturing, dairy, ingredients, consumer packaged goods (CPG), or another highly regulated manufacturing environment.
• Proven success leading organizations of 400+ employees across multiple manufacturing facilities while delivering measurable improvements in safety, quality, productivity, cost, customer service, and operational performance.
• Experience leading manufacturing network optimization, operational transformation, capital investment programs, Lean Manufacturing, and Continuous Improvement initiatives.
• Strong financial and commercial acumen with experience managing manufacturing budgets, capital planning, cost control, and operational performance metrics.
• Executive presence with exceptional communication and influencing skills, capable of partnering effectively within global, matrixed organizations.
• A humble, collaborative, low-ego leader who leads by example, develops people, builds trust quickly, and thrives in fast-paced environments undergoing transformation.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation package with performance incentives.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and 401(k) benefits available, along with paid time off and company-supported retirement contributions.
• Commitment to leadership development, continuous learning, and career advancement through global development programs.
• Collaborative, low-ego culture that values innovation, teamwork, continuous improvement, and empowering leaders to make decisions.
• Opportunity to play a critical role in transforming a growing international manufacturing organization while helping shape its long-term operational strategy.