Vice President of Operations

RIM Recruitment Professionals; Fairfax (VA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

RIM Recruitment Professionals partners with a growing food manufacturing company in the Washington, DC metro area to recruit a Vice President of Operations. This executive role blends strategic leadership with hands-on management across manufacturing, maintenance, quality, and distribution.

You will develop and execute an operations roadmap, drive safety, productivity, and cost efficiency, and mentor plant leaders.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive leadership in food manufacturing.
• 5+ years in production or plant operations management.
• Knowledge of food safety, GMPs, quality systems and compliance.
• Experience leading high-volume manufacturing operations.
• Proven ability to improve productivity, efficiency, and costs.
• Experience with plant maintenance and facility operations.
• Bilingual skills are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for manufacturing operations and drive safety, quality, productivity, and continuous improvement.
• Develop and execute operational strategies aligned with growth and financial objectives.
• Oversee manufacturing, maintenance, quality, inventory, distribution, and related functions.
• Establish and monitor operational KPIs, budgets, and performance targets.
• Identify opportunities to improve throughput, labor utilization, and costs.
• Lead initiatives to improve equipment reliability and plant efficiency.
• Mentor plant leaders and production management personnel.

Skills

Leadership

Food manufacturing expertise

Operations management

GMPs &Quality systems

ERP systems

Financial acumen

Bilingual ability

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering / Food Science / Manufacturing / Operations

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

ERP systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

Vice President of Operations Washington, DC Metro Area

Position Overview

Our client is a growing food manufacturing organization seeking an experienced Vice President of Operations to provide strategic and hands‑on leadership across its manufacturing operations. This is a highly visible leadership position reporting directly to the company’s senior executive team.

Ideal Background

• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience within food manufacturing
• 5+ years of direct production or plant operations management experience
• Strong knowledge of food manufacturing processes, food safety, GMPs, quality systems, and production compliance
• Experience leading high-volume or complex manufacturing operations
• Demonstrated success improving productivity, efficiency, quality, and operating costs
• Strong understanding of plant maintenance, equipment reliability, safety, and facility operations
• Proven ability to build, develop, coach, and retain strong manufacturing leadership teams
• Experience establishing accountability, performance standards, and a culture of continuous improvement
• Strong business judgment with the ability to balance operational demands with financial objectives
• Strong Microsoft Office skills
• Experience with manufacturing ERP systems
• Bilingual skills are a plus

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Food Science, Manufacturing, Operations, or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Master’s degree or advanced business/operations education is preferred

Responsibilities

Provide overall leadership for manufacturing operations and establish a culture focused on safety, quality, productivity, accountability, and continuous improvement. Develop and execute operational strategies aligned with the organization’s growth and financial objectives. Oversee manufacturing, production, maintenance, quality, inventory, distribution, and related operational functions. Establish and monitor operational metrics, KPIs, budgets, and performance objectives. Identify opportunities to improve throughput, efficiency, labor utilization, product quality, and operating costs. Ensure manufacturing processes and procedures consistently meet established quality, food safety, regulatory, and customer requirements. Strengthen operational systems, policies, procedures, and internal controls throughout the manufacturing organization. Lead initiatives designed to improve equipment reliability, facility performance, production capacity, and overall plant efficiency. Foster strong communication and collaboration between manufacturing, quality, maintenance, supply chain, distribution, and other departments. Develop and mentor plant leaders and production management personnel.

#RIMUS