Overview
Unified Talent Group is partnered with a growth-oriented industrial manufacturing organization seeking a Vice President of Operations to lead end-to-end operations. This role reports directly to the President and has full responsibility for manufacturing, supply chain, quality, EH&S, and continuous improvement.
The VP of Operations will play a critical role in translating business strategy into operational execution while building a strong culture of safety, quality, and continuous improvement across a workforce of approximately 150 salaried and hourly employees.
Key Responsibilities
- Partner with executive leadership to translate growth strategy into operational objectives, KPIs, and execution plans across manufacturing sites
- Provide overall leadership for manufacturing, supply chain, quality, and EH&S functions, ensuring consistent performance and operational excellence
- Lead and develop a large, multi-level operations organization, fostering accountability, engagement, and leadership development
- Champion a strong continuous improvement culture using lean manufacturing and enterprise operating systems to drive productivity, quality, and cost improvements
- Oversee quality systems and regulatory compliance, including ISO 9001 and integration of IATF 16949 standards
- Build and optimize a high-performing supply chain through strategic sourcing, supplier performance management, and cost optimization
- Serve as the senior escalation point for safety, quality, and operational risks, ensuring compliance with all applicable regulations
Qualifications
- 7+ years of senior operational leadership experience in manufacturing or industrial environments
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business Administration, or related field
- Proven ability to lead large, complex teams across multiple functions and sites
- Strong background in lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, and operational excellence
- Experience with ERP systems, materials management, and quality systems (ISO, IATF, TQM)
- High ethical standards, strong judgment, and executive-level communication skills
Michelle DeWeese brings over two decades of proven success in executive search, with a career defined by building high-performing teams across a wide range of industries. For for the past 15 years, Michelle has specialized in talent acquisition for the manufacturing and distribution sectors. Michelle holds both a Bachelor's degree and an MBA from Michigan State University. Outside of work, she enjoys golfing, playing pickleball, and spending time with her husband, Shawn, and their two Aussiedoodles, Zoe and Harper.
At Unified Talent Group, we partner with organizations of all sizes—from agile startups with limited HR infrastructure to global Fortune 100 companies. No matter where you are on your growth journey, you’ve come to the right place. We’re here to streamline and strengthen your talent acquisition strategy—efficiently, effectively, and with lasting impact.
