The Vice President of Operations will lead our client’s San Antonio manufacturing operations. This executive will oversee the safe, efficient, and profitable operation of a 1 million sq. ft. manufacturing facility and a workforce of approximately 1,500 employees.
The role is accountable for delivering operational excellence, driving continuous improvement, and ensuring compliance with all legal, environmental, and corporate standards. The successful candidate will be a strategic leader, balancing innovation, safety, quality, financial performance, and external representation.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Strategy
- Lead all operational functions, including Health, Safety, Environment & Sustainability (HSE&S), Engineering, Procurement, Production Control, Supply Chain, Logistics, Operations, Quality, Manufacturing Engineering, and Facilities & Maintenance.
- Define and execute the 5-year strategic plan to deliver sustainable and profitable growth aligned with company’s market share and business objectives.
- Establish and monitor annual business objectives to achieve volume, quality, and cost-efficiency goals.
- Act as the business lead in monthly executive reviews covering productivity, quality, and financial performance.
- Serve as a visible public representative of the company, demonstrating executive presence and credibility in media interviews, industry events, community engagements, and discussions with local government and regulatory stakeholders.
Operational & Financial Management
- Ensure the safe and efficient operation of the manufacturing facility, in compliance with all statutory and external audit standards.
- Enforce adherence to Company Group policies, procedures, and operating standards.
- Deliver gross and net profit performance to budget, with responsibility for overheads, labor efficiency, and capital investment.
- Oversee capital investment projects, ensuring robust ROI analysis and delivery against business forecasts.
- Implement world-class manufacturing practices to enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and drive continuous improvement.
Health, Safety & Environmental Stewardship
- Champion a zero-harm culture, ensuring compliance with all HSE regulations and promoting proactive risk management.
- Drive initiatives to reduce accidents, packaging waste, and energy consumption in line with the company’s sustainability goals.
Collaboration & Product Development
- Partner with Sales and Product teams globally to deliver products aligned with customer expectations and growth forecasts.
- Lead the Engineering and NPI teams to foster innovation and improved Design for Manufacture (DFM) capabilities.
People Leadership
- Provide clear direction, mentorship, and professional development for the management team.
- Build a high-performance culture emphasizing safety, quality, accountability, and teamwork.
- Model strong communication skills, sound judgment, and composure under pressure when engaging internally and externally.
Direct Reports
- Director, Health & Safety
- Chief Engineer
- New Product Manager
- Head of Procurement
- Head of Materials
- Director, Operations
- Head of Manufacturing
- Maintenance Manager
- Manufacturing Engineering Manager
- Quality Manager
Education & Knowledge Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, or a related technical discipline.
- Master’s degree (MBA or MSc) preferred, particularly with a focus on operations, industrial management, or business strategy.
- Fluent in English required; fluent in Spanish preferred.
Proven knowledge of:
- World-Class Manufacturing (WCM) or Lean Six Sigma methodologies
- Continuous Improvement frameworks (Kaizen, TPM, 5S, etc.)
- ERP and MES systems for production and supply chain integration
- Global supply chain management and strategic procurement practices
- Health, Safety, and Environmental compliance standards (ISO 14001, ISO 45001)
- Financial performance metrics, including cost management, P&L ownership, and capital efficiency
- Heavy equipment manufacturing, metal fabrication, assembly, and paint processes
- New Product Introduction (NPI) and Design for Manufacture (DFM)
Qualifications & Experience
- Minimum 15 years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience, with at least 5 years at a senior executive or plant leadership level.
- Proven track record in managing large-scale operations (1,000+ employees) in a complex, global manufacturing environment.
- Demonstrated success in driving safety culture, quality performance, and operational efficiency.
- Exceptional strategic planning, leadership, and communication skills.
- Strong ability to influence cross-functional teams and lead through change in a fast-paced environment.
- Demonstrated executive presence, strong public communication skills, and the ability to credibly represent the company in external forums, media interactions, and community or industry settings.
