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Position Details & Responsibilities

A leading heavy equipment manufacturer in the Southeast is seeking an experienced Vice President of Manufacturing Operations to oversee and optimize manufacturing performance of heavy equipment. This executive leadership position will be responsible for driving operational excellence, improving profitability, strengthening organizational culture, and implementing consistent manufacturing processes across multiple domestic and international facilities.

The ideal candidate has extensive experience leading multi-site manufacturing operations, a strong background in Lean manufacturing, and a proven track record of improving operational efficiency and profitability. Experience within heavy machinery, crushing and screening equipment, pumps, hydraulics, or related industrial manufacturing environments is highly preferred.

For more information on this position or the full job description, please contact Jessica Rowe at Herk & Associates:

JRowe@herkandassociates.com 

* * Please note that due to the tremendous response to this opportunity, our Executive Recruiter will review your information and reach out if it is determined that your skillset is a match to our client's requirements. * *

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership across multiple manufacturing locations, supporting employees throughout the organization.
• Lead and develop a senior leadership team of direct reports, including General Managers and leaders responsible for operations, quality, supply chain, and operational excellence.
• Partner with site General Managers to improve manufacturing performance, operational consistency, and financial results.
• Drive Lean manufacturing initiatives, continuous improvement programs, and operational excellence strategies across all facilities.
• Evaluate existing manufacturing processes, identify inefficiencies, and implement improvements that increase productivity, reduce costs, and improve profitability.
• Establish consistent operational standards, performance metrics, and accountability processes across multiple manufacturing locations.
• Oversee manufacturing performance, production efficiency, quality, supply chain operations, and purchasing initiatives.
• Identify opportunities to optimize sourcing, outsourcing, and manufacturing strategies to improve cost competitiveness and profitability.
• Support operational improvements and integration efforts across acquired businesses, including standardizing processes and strengthening organizational culture.
• Collaborate with executive leadership to establish strategic priorities, evaluate operational challenges, and execute long-term growth initiatives.
• Support international manufacturing operations.
• Develop and mentor operational leaders while promoting a culture of accountability, collaboration, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Evaluate manufacturing capacity, resource allocation, and operational investments to support business objectives.
• Monitor key operational and financial performance indicators to ensure facilities meet productivity, quality, cost, and profitability targets.
• Travel to manufacturing locations approximately two times per month, as business needs require.

Qualifications

• Extensive senior-level manufacturing operations leadership experience required, preferably at the Vice President, Director, or equivalent executive level.
• Significant hands-on experience implementing Lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement initiatives required.
• Proven success leading multi-site manufacturing operations, including oversight of plant leadership, operational performance, and financial results.
• Strong background in heavy equipment manufacturing, industrial machinery, crushing and screening equipment, pumps, hydraulics, or related industries preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to improve manufacturing efficiency, reduce operating costs, and increase profitability.
• Experience leading operational transformation, process standardization, and organizational change.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, supply chain management, purchasing, quality, and production planning.
• Experience evaluating outsourcing opportunities, optimizing manufacturing processes, and improving cost structures.
• Proven ability to lead and develop General Managers and senior operational leadership teams.
• Experience supporting acquisitions, operational integrations, or underperforming manufacturing facilities preferred.
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing operational budgets, cost controls, and profitability improvement initiatives.
• Familiarity with Lean manufacturing systems used in high-performing industrial or automotive manufacturing environments is beneficial.
• Strong strategic planning, communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
• Willingness to travel approximately twice per month to support manufacturing operations.