VP/D, Plant Operations

MiddleGround Capital; Lexington (KY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

A private equity firm is seeking a VP/Director of Plant Operations in Lexington, Kentucky. This senior role involves driving operational improvements, transforming business performance, and implementing strategic supply chain initiatives across portfolio companies. Candidates should have over 10 years of experience in manufacturing operations and supply chain leadership, with a strong background in S&OP and Lean methodologies. The position offers significant impact on value creation and financial performance.

Qualifications

• 10-15+ years of progressive experience in manufacturing operations or supply chain leadership.
• Experience in industrial manufacturing environments is strongly preferred.
• Proven track record of supply chain optimization and working capital improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end supply chain strategy across procurement, logistics, manufacturing, and distribution.
• Build and standardize S&OP processes across portfolio companies.
• Mentor plant managers to improve safety, quality, productivity, and throughput.

Skills

Manufacturing operations

Supply chain optimization

Lean / Continuous Improvement

EBITDA understanding

S&OP design and execution

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Business or related field

MBA (preferred)

Job description

Overview

Description The VP/Director, Plant Operations is a senior member of MiddleGround Capital’s Plant Operations Team, working directly with investment professionals and portfolio company executive leadership to drive operational improvement, transform business performance, and support value creation initiatives across the portfolio. This role combines strategic supply chain leadership, manufacturing operations expertise, S&OP maturity building, working capital optimization, and executive-level communication with the hands-on capability to diagnose problems, influence leaders, and implement sustainable systems. The Director plays a critical role in developing and executing value creation plans, supporting due diligence, preparing companies for exit, and ensuring measurable impact on EBITDA and cash flow.

Operational & Supply Chain Leadership

• Lead end-to-end supply chain strategy across procurement, logistics, manufacturing, and distribution
• Drive value-stream optimization and Lean/CI initiatives that improve cost, service, quality, and resilience
• Partner with portfolio leadership to establish clear KPIs, dashboards, and governance for operational performance

S&OP Design & Execution

• Build and standardize S&OP processes across portfolio companies, integrating demand, supply, finance, and operations
• Improve forecasting accuracy, capacity planning, and decision-making discipline
• Coach leadership teams to sustain planning rigor and accountability

Working Capital & Financial Performance

• Lead initiatives to reduce inventory, improve payment terms, and enhance AR/AP performance
• Improve cash conversion cycle metrics through operational and commercial levers
• Provide accurate reporting and visibility into EBITDA and cash impacts of operational changes

Manufacturing & Plant Operations Support

• Mentor plant managers and operations leaders to improve safety, quality, productivity, and throughput
• Conduct operational assessments and guide remediation plans
• Facilitate best-practice sharing and maturity-building across all sites

Strategic Value Creation & Transformation

• Own operational components of Value Creation Plans and 100-Day Plans
• Quantify operational improvement initiatives and support performance tracking
• Partner with Deal Teams during diligence to evaluate risks, opportunities, and integration needs

Executive, Board & Stakeholder Engagement

• Prepare operational updates, KPIs, insights, and materials for executives, lenders, the Investment Committee, and Boards
• Support business reviews, site visits, and strategic planning sessions

Hoshin Planning, Budgeting & Performance Management

• Support development of annual operating plans and Hoshin strategy deployment
• Align operational initiatives to strategic objectives, resource constraints, and financial targets

Execution & Accountability

• Lead Operators, Associates, and Senior Associates on project execution and deliverables
• Maintain accurate VCP tracking, scorecards, timelines, and reporting cadences
• Ensure excellence in communication, follow-through, and stakeholder alignment

Requirements

• 10-15+ years of progressive experience in manufacturing operations, supply chain, or multi-site operations leadership
• Experience in industrial manufacturing environments is strongly preferred
• Demonstrated expertise in S&OP design and execution
• Proven track record of supply chain optimization and working capital improvement
• Strong Lean / Continuous Improvement background
• Exceptional financial acumen related to EBITDA and cash flow mechanics
• Experience in private equity or transformation environments preferred
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Business, or related field; MBA a plus