Vice President Operations

firstPRO, Inc; Seabrook (NH); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

FirstPRO, Inc. seeks a Vice President of Facility Operations to lead and optimize facility-based manufacturing, metal finishing, chemical processing, quality, and supply chain operations across its operating companies.

Reporting to the COO, this role drives operational performance, scales production, and strengthens regulatory compliance across multiple facilities. The candidate will oversee strategic and operational leadership, manufacturing and technical operations, safety and regulatory

Qualifications

• 15+ years of progressive operations leadership in manufacturing.
• Experience in metal finishing, aerospace & defense, or chemical processing.
• Experience leading multi-site manufacturing or multiple business units.
• Strong regulatory knowledge including AS9100, NADCAP, ITAR/EAR.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute operational strategies across multiple facilities.
• Lead GMs and facility teams with clear performance expectations.
• Oversee production planning, manufacturing operations, maintenance, inventory, shipping, and facility performance.
• Partner on capacity planning, expansion, capital investments, and acquisitions.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA, EPA, AS9100, NADCAP, ITAR/EAR.
• Drive Lean, automation, and continuous improvement.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Operations leadership

Lean manufacturing

Regulatory compliance

Cross-functional leadership

Production planning

Quality management

Facility operations

A&D industry

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

Seeking an accomplished Vice President of Facility Operations to lead and optimize facility-based manufacturing, metal finishing, chemical processing, quality, and supply chain operations across its portfolio of operating companies.

Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer, this highly visible executive role will be instrumental in driving operational performance, scaling production capabilities, strengthening regulatory compliance, and supporting continued growth across multiple facilities.

Required:

Need to have operations experience within the Aerospace/Defense industry experience

What You'll Do

Strategic & Operational Leadership

• Develop and execute operational strategies across multiple manufacturing and facility-based businesses.
• Lead and develop General Managers and facility operations teams, establishing consistent performance expectations and accountability.
• Oversee production planning, manufacturing operations, maintenance, inventory, shipping, and facility performance.
• Partner with executive leadership on capacity planning, facility expansion, capital investments, and acquisition integration.

Manufacturing & Technical Operations

• Provide oversight of specialized metal finishing and chemical processing operations, including passivation, electropolishing, anodizing, plating, coatings, surface preparation, and heat treatment.
• Ensure manufacturing processes meet customer specifications, technical standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Identify opportunities to expand technical capabilities, improve throughput, and strengthen operational efficiency.

Safety, Quality & Regulatory Compliance

• Maintain compliance with OSHA, EPA, AS9100, NADCAP, ITAR/EAR, and applicable environmental and customer-specific requirements.
• Partner with Quality and EHS leadership to maintain audit readiness, strengthen process controls, and drive corrective actions.
• Establish a strong culture of safety, quality, environmental responsibility, and continuous improvement.

Operational Excellence & Financial Performance

• Drive Lean manufacturing, process automation, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Improve production capacity, on-time delivery, equipment uptime, labor productivity, and overall facility performance.

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Chemistry, Operations Management, Manufacturing, or a related discipline; advanced degree preferred.
• 15+ years of progressive operations leadership experience within manufacturing, metal finishing, aerospace and defense, chemical processing, or another highly regulated industrial environment.
• Significant experience leading multi-site manufacturing operations or multiple business units.
• Strong technical understanding of metal finishing and special processes, including plating, passivation, electropolishing, anodizing, coatings, and chemical processing.
• Working knowledge of AS9100, NADCAP Chemical Processing and Coatings, ITAR/EAR, and other relevant regulatory standards.