A privately held food manufacturer with global reach is looking for a Vice President, Operations to lead its plant operations. This is a high-visibility leadership role for an experienced food manufacturing executive. You will set the vision for safety, quality, and productivity, and build the teams and systems that deliver it. Hands-on experience in food manufacturing is essential for this role.
About the Role
Vice President, Operations
Employment Type: Full-time
Responsibilities
- Lead all manufacturing operations and build a culture of safety, quality, accountability, and continuous improvement
- Develop and execute operational strategies that support growth and financial objectives
- Oversee production, maintenance, quality, inventory, distribution, and related functions
- Set and track KPIs, budgets, and performance goals
- Improve throughput, efficiency, labor utilization, product quality, and operating costs
- Ensure all processes meet quality, food safety, regulatory, and customer standards
- Strengthen operational systems, policies, procedures, and internal controls
- Drive projects that increase equipment reliability, facility performance, and production capacity
- Promote collaboration across manufacturing, quality, maintenance, supply chain, and distribution
- Coach and develop plant leaders and production management
Qualifications
Education
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Food Science, Manufacturing, Operations, or a related field (or equivalent combination of education and experience)
- Master's degree or advanced business/operations education preferred
Experience
- 10+ years of progressive leadership in food manufacturing
- 5+ years in direct production or plant operations management
- Strong knowledge of food manufacturing processes, food safety, GMPs, quality systems, and compliance
- Experience leading high-volume or complex manufacturing operations
- Demonstrated success improving productivity, efficiency, quality, and cost
- Solid understanding of plant maintenance, equipment reliability, safety, and facility operations
- Proven ability to build, develop, and retain strong leadership teams
- Experience setting performance standards and driving a continuous improvement culture
- Sound business judgment, balancing operational needs with financial goals
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and experience with manufacturing ERP systems
Required Skills
- Hands-on experience in food manufacturing
- Strong knowledge of food manufacturing processes, food safety, GMPs, quality systems, and compliance
- Solid understanding of plant maintenance, equipment reliability, safety, and facility operations
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office
- Experience with manufacturing ERP systems
Pay range and compensation package
- Compensation: $120,000 – $130,000 base salary, plus a full benefits package
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- 401(k)
- Short-term disability
- Paid vacation and sick leave
- Paid holidays
Work Requirements
- Must currently reside in the Washington, DC Metro area
- Must be authorized to work in the U.S. now and in the future without employer sponsorship
Equal Opportunity Statement
The job description does not provide an explicit equal opportunity statement.