VP Operations

VVater; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading water purification company in Austin, Texas is seeking a Vice President of Technology & Information Services to lead their digital and operational technology agenda. This role requires extensive experience in manufacturing operations, particularly in automation and project management, along with strong leadership skills. The successful candidate will define strategies, oversee technology implementations, and manage large-scale operations in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of progressive manufacturing/operations leadership experience.
• 5+ years leading multi-site or large single-site operations.
• Hands-on experience in water/wastewater or process industries.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the multi-year operations strategy.
• Lead factory start-ups and expansions.
• Oversee production systems and operational excellence.

Skills

Automation/robotics

Project management

Lean/Six Sigma

Financial acumen

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, or related field

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

PLC/SCADA

MES

Microsoft Projects

Job description

Overview

VVater is America’s Next Water Company, delivering the future of purification through its award-winning Farady Reactor (CES Best of Innovation 2025, World Future Award 2025), proprietary ALTEP (Advanced Low Tension Electroporation Process), Advanced Dissolved Air Flotation, and Micro & Nano Bubble technologies. Unlike outdated chemical, filter, and membrane systems, VVater’s electric-field breakthroughs eliminate PFAS, microplastics, microorganisms, and other contaminants with record retention times, without toxic byproducts or costly consumables. With over 4.3B gallons treated and validation from global leaders, VVater is scaling into municipal drinking water and wastewater, DPR/IPR, onsite reuse for data centers, commercial buildings, and resorts, residential purification, and consumer health water, delivering a 60% smaller footprint, 40% CapEx savings, 80% OpEx savings, and 40% less energy use.

Job Description

The Vice President, Technology & Information Services (VP TIS) leads VVater’s digital and operational technology agenda, from enterprise IT and cybersecurity to AI products, full-stack apps, and industrial automation. Reporting to the CEO and working with Sales, Operations, and Engineering, the VP sets the technology vision, runs day-to-day IT operations, and delivers secure, scalable solutions that support growth and efficiency. This role blends strategy with hands-on leadership: overseeing service desk, network and cloud infrastructure, and end-user support while guiding advanced initiatives in AI, software development, and automation.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and execute the multi-year operations strategy, including capacity planning, site selection, facility design, and ramp to high-volume advanced manufacturing
• Lead factory start-ups, expansions, and capital projects from business case through commissioning; manage EPCs, integrators, and key vendors; deliver on scope, schedule, budget, and performance
• Own production systems and operational excellence: line design, layout, standard work, OEE, TPM, Lean/Six Sigma deployment, continuous improvement, and cost-reduction programs
• Drive industrial automation and robotics (PLC/SCADA, MES, IIoT) to increase throughput, quality, and traceability; integrate with ERP/MRP and QMS for data-driven operations
• Build and lead high-performing teams across manufacturing, planning, maintenance/reliability, quality, EHS, logistics, and field operations; set staffing plans, training, and leadership development
• Establish an operations PMO with master schedules, budgets, risk registers, and stage-gate governance; create clear KPIs and dashboards for safety, quality, delivery, cost, and inventory
• Oversee supply chain and S&OP: strategic sourcing, contracts, vendor quality, inventory optimization, and inbound/outbound logistics
• Ensure compliance with applicable safety, quality, and environmental regulations and standards (e.g., OSHA, EPA/state environmental rules, ISO 9001/14001, NSF/ANSI 60/61 as applicable, UL/ETL for listed products)
• Partner with Engineering and R&D on design for manufacturability, value engineering, and transfer to production; support configuration/ETO as needed for customer programs
• Lead field operations for installations, commissioning, and service of water/wastewater systems; implement feedback loops from the field to drive product and process improvements
• Own operations P&L accountability, annual operating plans, and capital planning; present performance and investment cases to executive leadership and the board
• Perform all other duties as instructed by the company

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, or related field; advanced degree preferred
• 12+ years of progressive manufacturing/operations leadership with 5+ years leading multi-site or large single-site operations; successful track record launching greenfield or major scale-up facilities
• Demonstrated expertise in automation/robotics, PLC/SCADA, MES, and data-driven production systems integrated with ERP/MRP
• Hands-on experience in water/wastewater, process industries, or closely related engineered products, including familiarity with permitting, commissioning, and field deployment
• Strong command of Lean/Six Sigma, TPM, and CI toolkits; Black Belt or equivalent experience preferred
• Proven capital project leadership, vendor negotiation, and contract management skills
• Financial acumen with P&L ownership, budgeting/forecasting, and cost-reduction results
• Extensive project management skills (Microsoft Projects or related)
• Excellent leadership, communication, and change-management skills; capable of operating strategically while rolling up sleeves to solve problems on the floor or in the field

As a part of our process to ensure a comprehensive evaluation of all applicants, assessment tests are required as part of our recruitment process. Unfortunately, should you elect not to participate in completing the assessment tests, your application will not be able to progress to the next stage or be considered during evaluation.