Vice President Operations

Align Search Partners; Iowa (LA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Align Search Partners seeks an experienced Vice President of Operations to lead manufacturing, supply chain, maintenance/engineering, and quality/food safety for a growing food manufacturing organization.

This role will own plant performance, P&L, staffing, operational efficiency, and regulatory compliance, partnering with executive leadership to drive profitability, productivity, quality, and long-term operational performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering, animal science, or related field; MBA preferred.
• 8+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or Continuous Improvement.

Responsibilities

• Own plant budgets, cost controls, and P&L performance.
• Lead Production, Maintenance & Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, and Food Safety.
• Drive productivity, profitability, efficiency, quality, and customer service.
• Ensure production goals and customer demand are met.
• Lead Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement initiatives.
• Manage capital projects, automation, equipment upgrades, and ROI analysis.
• Establish and monitor KPIs and report performance to executives.
• Ensure USDA/FDA compliance and food safety and employee safety standards.
• Develop and lead a high-performing operations leadership team.
• Collaborate with Finance, HR, Quality, Engineering, and Supply Chain.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical thinking

Communication

Problem-solving

Budget management

P&L experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Animal Science, Operations Management, or related field

MBA preferred

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Vice President of Operations to lead manufacturing operations, supply chain, maintenance/engineering, and quality/food safety for a growing food manufacturing organization.

This role will have full responsibility for plant performance, P&L, production, staffing, operational efficiency, food and employee safety, capital projects, continuous improvement, and regulatory compliance. The VP of Operations will partner closely with executive leadership to drive profitability, productivity, quality, and long-term operational performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Own plant operating budgets, cost controls, and P&L performance
• Lead Production, Maintenance & Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, and Food Safety
• Drive productivity, profitability, efficiency, quality, and customer service
• Ensure production goals and customer demand are consistently met
• Lead Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement initiatives
• Manage capital projects, automation, equipment upgrades, and ROI analysis
• Establish and monitor KPIs and report operational performance to executive leadership
• Ensure compliance with USDA/FDA, food safety, employee safety, and company standards
• Improve systems, processes, staffing models, and use of plant resources
• Support new product launches, process design, and production planning
• Build, develop, and lead a high-performing operations leadership team
• Partner cross-functionally with Finance, HR, Quality, Engineering, and Supply Chain

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Animal Science, Operations Management, or related field; MBA preferred
• 8+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience
• Strong plant operations, P&L, and budget management experience
• Food manufacturing experience required
• Knowledge of USDA/FDA regulations and food safety requirements
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or Continuous Improvement
• Strong capital project, automation, and operational improvement experience
• Proven leadership, analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills