Vice President, Operations

O’Connor Company, part of the mSupply family of brands, is a leading wholesale distributor of HVAC equipment, parts and tools serving contractors across Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Nebraska and Iowa. With trusted product lines including Trane, American Standard and Mitsubishi Electric, O’Connor has built a strong presence in the Midwest HVAC market.

About the role

As a key member of the regional leadership team, the Vice President of Operations will drive excellence in the day-to-day operations of multiple branch locations by providing oversight of operations and priorities, including financial, safety, quality, talent, cost, service, delivery, environmental, and regulatory affairs for assigned facilities. You will participate in the development and direct the implementation of long- and short-range business strategies and action plans (operations budget, material movement, on-time delivery performance, cost reductions, and process improvements) to improve profitability.

Responsibilities

• Safety Leadership: Drive a strong safety culture where everyone is accountable for the health, safety, and well-being of team members. Promote employee participation in actively managing EHS through identification and mitigation of hazards. Ensure timely reporting and investigation of EHS events.
• Strategic Leadership and Process Improvement: Identify and implement strategies to drive continuous improvement in safety, productivity, cost effectiveness, customer service, quality of work life, which lowers operating costs and implements best practices in operations. Stay abreast of industry trends and apply relevant knowledge to drive continuous improvement.
• Financial Management: Understand financial statements with an eye on executing continuous improvement with a focus on on-time delivery, labor productivity, cost reduction, and overall margin improvement.
• Team Leadership: Ensure facility teams are staffed appropriately to meet business requirements. Mentor, train, and coach regional operations managers to understand the organization and their roles within it, fostering an environment of accountability and excellence. Guide, motivate, and develop the team, setting and tracking performance goals.
• Performance Metrics: Monitor performance metrics to assess the effectiveness of operations. Develop, monitor, and report on operating costs relative to budget. Communicate circumstances that may cause significant budget overruns and identify ways to lessen impact on overall budget.
• Run & Scale Operations: Coordinate operations across multiple locations, including purchasing, receiving, storage, and distribution of products. Develop operational plans to scale overall business capacity through branch footprint and network optimization as well as new sites to support growth strategies. Ensure assigned districts have the seasonal inventory required to meet customer demands.
• SOP Implementation: Lead the implementation of new and revised Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) within the assigned region, ensuring alignment with company policies, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices. Provide guidance and training to regional staff on the application and importance of SOPs in daily operations.
• Cross Department Collaboration: Work closely with other departments, such as Supply Chain, Sales, and Customer Operations to ensure customer satisfaction and alignment with company objectives.
• Business Development: Coordinate with Regional Sales to contribute to business development efforts by identifying new opportunities and driving growth.
• Cultural Development: Foster a positive and collaborative work culture that supports innovation and employee engagement.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, operations management, or a related field preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in Operations leadership roles, managing multiple sites with permanent and temporary workforce.
• Proven track record of successfully managing matrix operations and teams with strong project management skills.
• Strong financial acumen and analytical skills with a strong understanding of budgeting and cost control.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Able to interact and communicate effectively with employees and customers at various levels.
• Ability to think strategically and adapt to a rapidly changing environment.
• Strong customer service orientation with an entrepreneurial mindset and a passion for driving innovation.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and take action by using strong analytical skills including thorough risk assessments.
• Ability to develop and successfully execute strategic initiatives.
• Able to develop plans that connect business strategies and the daily operations of branch sites while effectively prioritizing and executing tasks.
• Able to achieve and maintain credibility and respect within the organization while leading and inspiring people to achieve results.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

• This position may require over 40 hours per week.
• Regular physical activity such as bending, lifting, and carrying up to 10 lbs.
• Extended use of hands and arms for computer tasks.
• Sitting for up to 8 hours, with periods of standing and walking.
• Frequent use of hearing and speech for communication (up to 6 hours daily).
• Operation of office equipment (computers, phones, scanners) for up to 8 hours.
• Visual acuity for near, far, color, and peripheral vision, with depth perception and focus adjustment.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage effective immediately.
• 401(k) plan with company contributions.
• Life insurance and short- and long-term disability coverage.
• HSA/FSA options and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Paid time off, including vacation, holidays, and personal days.
• Weekly pay and employee discounts.