Vice President

The Sterling Choice; Minnesota; On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

The Sterling Choice is partnering with a rapidly growing ingredients manufacturer to identify a senior leader for Operational Excellence and Technical Transformation across a multi-site network. You will shape enterprise-wide systems, lead large-scale transformation programmes and connect OpEx with manufacturing, engineering and R&D to enable growth.

You will drive capability-building, safety and quality improvements while collaborating with Operations, Commercial and Technical leadership to

Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience in dairy ingredients, food ingredients, nutritional ingredients or specialty ingredient manufacturing.
• Experience leading Operational Excellence, Manufacturing Excellence, Technical Operations or Engineering within a complex process manufacturing environment.
• Multi-site manufacturing leadership experience.
• Strong background in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma and Operational Excellence.
• Experience partnering with Technical Services, Process Engineering and R&D.
• Track record of leading large-scale transformation programmes and delivering measurable improvements in productivity, quality, safety and cost.
• Strong executive presence with the ability to influence senior leadership across Operations, Commercial and Technical functions.
• Experience building high-performing teams and developing future leaders.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement an enterprise Operational Excellence strategy.
• Lead Continuous Improvement, Lean Manufacturing and Operational Excellence programmes across multiple manufacturing facilities.
• Partner with R&D and Technical teams to improve the commercialisation of new products and manufacturing processes.
• Drive process optimisation, standardisation and operational capability across the manufacturing network.
• Support capital investment projects, new technology implementation and manufacturing readiness.
• Build leadership capability within Continuous Improvement, Engineering and Technical functions.
• Establish performance management systems, KPIs and governance that drive sustainable operational improvements.
• Support acquisition integration and ensure newly acquired facilities align with enterprise operating standards.
• Foster a culture focused on safety, quality, customer service and continuous improvement.

Skills

Executive leadership

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma

Operational Excellence

Multi-site leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Strategic influence

Job description

Vice President | Operational Excellence & Technical Transformation

Location: Midwest, USA (Relocation Assistance Available)

Compensation: Executive package including base salary, bonus and long-term incentives.

Build the Future of Manufacturing Excellence.

We're partnering with a rapidly growing ingredients manufacturer that's investing heavily in manufacturing capability, technical innovation and operational excellence.

With multiple production sites, continued investment and ambitious growth plans, the business is looking for an executive capable of connecting Operational Excellence, Technical Services, Process Development and Manufacturing into one aligned operating model.

This is far more than a traditional Continuous Improvement role.

You'll play a key role in shaping how manufacturing, engineering and technical functions evolve over the coming years while supporting major capital investment, product innovation and future growth.

The Opportunity

Reporting into the executive leadership team, you'll lead enterprise-wide Operational Excellence and Technical Transformation initiatives across a multi-site manufacturing network.

Working closely with Operations, Engineering, R&D, Supply Chain and Commercial leadership, you'll develop scalable systems that improve performance while enabling future innovation and expansion.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement an enterprise Operational Excellence strategy.
• Lead Continuous Improvement, Lean Manufacturing and Operational Excellence programmes across multiple manufacturing facilities.
• Partner with R&D and Technical teams to improve the commercialisation of new products and manufacturing processes.
• Drive process optimisation, standardisation and operational capability across the manufacturing network.
• Support capital investment projects, new technology implementation and manufacturing readiness.
• Build leadership capability within Continuous Improvement, Engineering and Technical functions.
• Establish performance management systems, KPIs and governance that drive sustainable operational improvements.
• Support acquisition integration and ensure newly acquired facilities align with enterprise operating standards.
• Foster a culture focused on safety, quality, customer service and continuous improvement.

What We're Looking For

We're interested in senior manufacturing leaders who have successfully built systems—not simply managed projects.

You'll likely bring experience leading Operational Excellence, Manufacturing Excellence, Technical Operations or Engineering within a complex process manufacturing environment.

• Executive or senior leadership experience within dairy ingredients, food ingredients, nutritional ingredients or specialty ingredient manufacturing.
• Multi-site manufacturing leadership.
• Strong background in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma and Operational Excellence.
• Experience partnering with Technical Services, Process Engineering and R&D functions.
• Track record of leading large-scale transformation programmes and delivering measurable improvements in productivity, quality, safety and cost.
• Strong executive presence with the ability to influence senior leadership across Operations, Commercial and Technical functions.
• Experience building high-performing teams and developing future leaders.

Preferred Industry Background

Experience gained within businesses such as:

• Dairy ingredients
• Whey protein
• Milk protein
• Cheese manufacturing
• Food ingredient manufacturing
• Dry blending
• Spray drying
• Powder processing
• Specialty ingredients
• Process manufacturing

Ideal Titles

You may currently be working as a:

• Vice President Operational Excellence
• Vice President Manufacturing Excellence
• Vice President Technical Operations
• Senior Director Operational Excellence
• Senior Director Manufacturing
• Senior Director Technical Services
• Head of Manufacturing Excellence
• Director of Operational Excellence
• Director of Technical Operations

Why This Opportunity?

This is an opportunity to influence the long-term direction of a growing manufacturing organisation where Operational Excellence is viewed as a strategic capability rather than a support function.

You'll have the opportunity to shape enterprise-wide systems, build leadership capability, support significant investment programmes and leave a lasting impact across a complex manufacturing network.

If you're motivated by building scalable systems, developing people and driving operational performance across multiple sites, we'd welcome a confidential conversation.