Vice President of Operations

Motive Workforce; Ventura (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Motive Workforce partners with a specialized manufacturing company to appoint a Plant Manager who will own facility operations and overall performance. The role demands a proven manufacturing leader capable of setting direction and staying visible on the production floor.

You will lead cross-functional teams spanning manufacturing, quality, maintenance, materials, and plant support, driving safety, quality, and on-time delivery while pursuing continuous efficiency gains.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing.
• Experience overseeing plant, production, or manufacturing operations with increasing responsibility.
• Strong knowledge of production planning, labor management, quality, and KPIs.
• Experience managing budgets and plant operating expenses; direct P&L exposure valued.
• Proven ability to develop managers and production teams.
• Lean manufacturing or continuous improvement experience preferred.
• Hands-on leadership on the production floor and ERP/MRP literacy.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for manufacturing and plant operations.
• Coordinate production, quality, maintenance, materials, and supporting functions.
• Meet production goals, customer commitments, quality, and delivery requirements.
• Track plant performance and identify bottlenecks and cost concerns.
• Manage staffing, labor utilization, and operating budgets.
• Develop supervisors and managers with clear accountability.
• Improve throughput, reduce waste, and raise operational efficiency.
• Maintain a safe, compliant workplace with environmental and regulatory standards.
• Partner with leadership on priorities and long-term improvements.
• Build relationships with customers to resolve issues.

Skills

Leadership

Manufacturing ops

Lean manufacturing

ERP/MRP experience

P&L exposure

Staff development

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering/related

Tools

ERP/MRP platforms

Job description

We are partnering with a specialized manufacturing company seeking a Plant Manager to take ownership of its facility operations and overall performance. This role is designed for an experienced manufacturing leader who is equally comfortable setting operational direction and being visible on the production floor.

The Plant Manager will lead a cross-functional operation spanning manufacturing, quality, maintenance, materials, and other plant support functions. This individual will be responsible for ensuring the facility operates efficiently, meets production and customer commitments, controls costs, and maintains strong safety and quality standards.

This is a high-impact leadership position with regular interaction with senior company leadership and significant influence over how the operation continues to develop.

What You'll Own:

• Provide overall leadership for manufacturing and plant operations.


• Coordinate production, quality, maintenance, materials, and supporting functions to keep operations aligned.


• Ensure production goals, customer commitments, quality expectations, and delivery requirements are consistently achieved.


• Track plant performance and use operational data to identify bottlenecks, cost concerns, and opportunities for improvement.


• Manage staffing levels, labor utilization, operating expenses, and departmental budgets.


• Develop supervisors, managers, and other key employees while establishing clear expectations and accountability.


• Support hiring, training, performance management, and workforce development across the facility.


• Lead initiatives focused on improving throughput, reducing waste, strengthening quality, and increasing operational efficiency.


• Maintain a strong presence on the manufacturing floor and stay closely connected to daily production challenges.


• Partner with leadership on business priorities, operational planning, and longer-term improvement initiatives.


• Build strong relationships with important customers and support the resolution of production, delivery, or service concerns.


• Maintain a safe and compliant workplace while reinforcing established environmental, quality, and regulatory standards.

What We're Looking For:

• 5+ years of progressive leadership experience within a manufacturing environment.


• Experience overseeing plant, production, or manufacturing operations with increasing levels of responsibility.


• Strong understanding of production planning, labor management, quality, cost control, and operational KPIs.


• Experience managing budgets and plant operating expenses; direct P&L exposure is highly valued.


• Demonstrated success leading and developing managers, supervisors, and production teams.


• Ability to identify operational problems, establish priorities, and drive solutions through completion.


• Experience with Lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, or process optimization is preferred.


• Comfortable working in a hands-on environment where leadership requires regular interaction with employees on the production floor.


• Experience using ERP/MRP platforms and operational reporting tools.

Preferred Background

A bachelor's degree in engineering, manufacturing, business, operations, or a related discipline is preferred, although equivalent manufacturing leadership experience will also be considered.

Experience within technically complex manufacturing—such as advanced materials, semiconductor-related production, chemical processing, or similar industrial environments is a plus but not required.

Spanish-speaking ability is also a plus.

This position requires regular time within an active manufacturing facility in addition to office-based leadership responsibilities. Appropriate PPE and safety procedures apply within designated production areas.

Some flexibility outside of standard business hours may occasionally be required to support plant operations, customers, or business needs.