Vice President - Operations

Southwest Economic Solutions; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

PVS Nolwood is seeking a Vice President of Operations to lead the company’s operational activities across locations with a focus on safe, reliable and efficient execution. The role collaborates with local leadership to improve service, productivity, and asset utilization.

The position will develop a scalable operating model, establish practical standards and use data to drive performance while balancing safety, service and long-term business needs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Operations Management, Supply Chain, Engineering, Business or a related field preferred; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
• Advance degree in a related field is a plus.
• 10+ years of progressive operations leadership experience with multi-site responsibility in chemical distribution or related environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for operational activities across Nolwood locations and distribution facilities.
• Drive operational excellence, standardization, productivity and continuous improvement.
• Establish meaningful operating KPIs, management routines and accountability for performance.
• Support integration and operational alignment of new locations and acquired businesses as needed.

Skills

Operational leadership

Financial acumen

Change management

Team development

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Operations Management, Supply Chain, Engineering, Business

Advanced degree

Tools

Warehouse management systems

Budgeting software

Job description

• Full-Time
• Requisition #: BUSIN001590

Description

About PVS Chemicals, Inc.

PVS enables our world through the safe and reliable delivery of chemistry, either created by us or sourced through trusted partners. The products and services that we provide touch everyone in some unique way. We are passionate about the work we do and abide by our guiding principles, The Nicholson Nine, to be a safe and sustainable chemical provider the world trusts. With a career at PVS, you'll play a vital role in the daily lives of millions of people.

Summary

The Vice President - Operations provides leadership and direction for PVS Nolwood's operational activities across its locations, with primary responsibility for safe, reliable and efficient execution. The role works closely with local operations leadership and other functions to improve operating consistency, customer service, productivity, cost performance and effective use of the company's assets.

The position will help develop a scalable operating model by establishing practical standards, sharing best practices and using operational and financial information to improve performance. The successful candidate will be a hands on leader who develops people, understands the economics of distribution operations and balances safety, service, cost and long term business needs.

Responsibilities

Operational Leadership and Continuous Improvement

• Provide leadership and direction for operational activities across Nolwood locations and distribution facilities.
• Drive operational excellence, standardization, productivity and continuous improvement while recognizing appropriate local operating needs.
• Establish meaningful operating KPIs, management routines and accountability for performance.
• Support integration and operational alignment of new locations and acquired businesses as needed.

Safety, Quality and Regulatory Partnership

• Champion a strong safety culture and reinforce that safe, compliant operations are fundamental to business performance.
• Partner closely with EHS&S and Quality leadership on OSHA, EPA, DOT, hazardous materials, quality and other applicable requirements.
• Ensure operational teams execute corrective actions, training and operating practices consistently and effectively.
• Promote strong housekeeping, product stewardship, equipment condition and responsible chemical handling.

Warehouse, Transportation and Maintenance

• Provide leadership for warehouse operations, order fulfillment, transportation, day to day fleet activities and maintenance.
• Improve labor, driver, equipment, route and facility utilization while maintaining appropriate customer service levels.
• Strengthen preventive maintenance, equipment reliability and capital planning to reduce downtime and support safe operations.
• Work with Commercial and Customer Service to ensure customer commitments are achievable and executed safely, accurately and on time.

Profitability, Cost and Asset Utilization

• Review location operating and financial performance to identify opportunities to improve profitability and operating contribution.
• Manage and improve direct operating costs, including labor, transportation, maintenance and other controllable expenses.
• Maximize utilization of warehouses, fleet, equipment and other operating assets and identify opportunities to better deploy existing capacity.
• Support operating budgets, forecasts and capital investment decisions using appropriate financial and operational analysis.
• Compare performance across locations and use data and best practices to address gaps and improve overall Nolwood performance.

Inventory and Working Capital

• Partner with Commercial and Procurement to optimize inventory levels and turns while maintaining appropriate product availability and customer service.
• Strengthen inventory accuracy, cycle counting, storage practices and timely resolution of inventory discrepancies.
• Proactively address slow moving, aging, damaged, off specification and expired inventory to minimize waste and financial loss.
• Improve coordination among Operations, Commercial and Procurement to align inventory with customer demand and operating needs.

People, Culture and Organizational Development

• Coach and develop operations leaders and employees with clear expectations for safety, service, productivity and accountability.
• Identify and develop future operations leaders and strengthen succession capabilities across the organization.
• Promote collaboration, knowledge sharing and a one Nolwood mindset across locations and functions.
• Demonstrate PVS values through integrity, accountability, teamwork, open communication and hands on leadership.

Key Performance Indicators

• Safety, compliance and corrective action performance
• Location profitability and direct operating cost performance
• Warehouse, labor, transportation and asset utilization
• Customer service, order accuracy and on time delivery
• Inventory accuracy, turns, aging and obsolete or expired inventory, in partnership with Commercial and Procurement
• Fleet and equipment reliability, maintenance performance and downtime
• Performance against operating budgets and capital plans
• Progress on standardization, productivity and continuous improvement initiatives

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Operations Management, Supply Chain, Engineering, Business or a related field preferred; equivalent relevant experience may be considered. Advance degree in a related field is a plus.
• 10+ years of progressive operations leadership experience with multi-site responsibility in chemical distribution, industrial distribution or a related environment.
• Demonstrated experience improving safety, service, productivity, cost performance and asset utilization while leading and developing teams.
• Strong working knowledge of warehouse operations, transportation, maintenance, inventory management, budgeting and basic P&L concepts.
• Experience with operational systems, performance metrics, continuous improvement and capital planning is preferred.

Skills and Leadership Attributes

• Strong operational and financial judgment with a practical, hands on leadership style.
• Ability to use operating and financial data to identify performance gaps and drive measurable improvement.
• Strong people leadership, coaching, problem solving and change management capabilities.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills with the ability to work effectively across Commercial, Procurement, EHS&S, Quality, Finance and other functions.
• Ability to balance safety, customer service, profitability and long term operating needs.
• Strong commitment to integrity, accountability, teamwork and PVS culture.
• Willingness to be based at one of the Nolwood locations and travel to other Nolwood/PVS locations, and industry conferences as needed.

PVS values diversity and is committed to upholding the laws and regulations published by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. As an equal opportunity employer, PVS makes all employment-related decisions based upon qualifications, merit, and business needs.

Applicants must be able to pass a drug screen and background check.

Qualifications

Education

Preferred

Bachelors or better in Engineering or related field.

Bachelors or better in General Business or related field.

Bachelors or better in Logistics /Supply Chain Management or related field.

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.