VP of Operations

Brief Description Vice President of Operations Evolve Transporters is a high-end custom fabrication company with locations in greater Indianapolis Indiana and Cleveland Ohio. Our clients are some of the biggest motorsport teams and brands in the world, for which we assist in designing and fabricating race transporters. We have a sharp focus on client satisfaction and a desire for continued innovation. This position reports to: Chief Executive Officer Location: Indianapolis, IN What You Can Expect In This Role The Vice President of Operations is responsible for leading and integrating all operational activities across Evolve Transporters. This executive role owns multi-site operations, builds scalable systems, and ensures consistent, high-quality execution across production, refurbishment, service, and future growth initiatives. This is a hands-on, visible leadership role that requires regular presence on the shop floor, strong engagement with site leaders, and close partnership with Engineering, Sales, Finance, and external partners. The role is well suited for a nimble and motivated operator who thrives in complex, evolving environments and is energized by building structure where it does not yet exist. Key Responsibilities Multi-Site Operations Leadership Own operational performance across Indianapolis (IN) and Cleveland (OH) facilities Establish consistent operating expectations, processes, and performance standards while respecting the distinct role of each facilityServe as the senior point of accountability for capacity planning, delivery commitments, and cross-site priorities. Maintain a strong on-site presence and direct engagement with teams across both locations. Leadership & Team Development Build and evolve the operational leadership and support structure required to scale. Recruit, develop, coach, and hold leaders accountable across production, quality, materials, maintenance, and EHS. Define clear ownership, decision-making authority, and escalation paths. Effectively lead through a strong support team rather than operating as a single-threaded leader. Develop future leaders capable of growing into expanded roles over time. Execution, Planning & Accountability Establish predictable operating rhythms and performance cadences (daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly). Manage operational KPIs across safety, quality, delivery, and cost. Identify execution risks early and drive corrective action. Ensure initiatives and projects are delivered on time, within cost targets, and to quality standards. Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement Lead continuous improvement efforts focused on safety, quality, throughput, and cost. Champion standard work, documentation, and repeatable processes. Improve first-time quality and reduce rework across facilities. Ensure facilities, equipment, and workflows support reliable and scalable execution Financial & Cross-Functional Partnership Maintain strong cost discipline across labor, materials, rework, and operational expenses. Partner with the CEO and Finance on budgeting, forecasting, capacity planning, and capital allocation. Collaborate closely with Engineering, Sales, Service, and external partners to ensure execution readiness. Translate leadership decisions into clear, executable plans for teams. Required QUALIFICATIONS: 15+ years of manufacturing operations experience, including 5+ years in senior leadership (VP, GM, COO, or equivalent). Multi-site operational leadership experience. Background in heavy, specialty, or custom manufacturing environments. Demonstrated success building teams, systems, and operating discipline. Strong working knowledge of Lean principles, standard work, and operational metrics. Comfort operating in ERP/MES-driven environments. Preferred Experience launching or scaling a manufacturing facility. Automation or robotics deployment experience. Familiarity with EOS or similar operating systems. Industry experience in motorsports, automotive, aerospace, marine, specialty vehicles, RV, or other low-volume / high-complexity manufacturing environments. Physical Requirements Regular work in both office and production environmentsTravel approximately 15–25% between Indianapolis, Painesville, and key suppliers/partners. This list of duties and responsibilities is not comprehensive and may change at any time. Evolve Transporters is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating an inclusive and respectful workplace.