Vice President Operations

Role Overview

This opportunity is for an accomplished Vice President of Operations to lead and refine core operational functions for a growing manufacturing and food production/distribution business in New York. The position is centered on improving how manufacturing, warehousing, distribution, logistics, and inventory management work together while supporting the company’s long-term expansion.

The role calls for an executive leader who can shape operational direction, strengthen financial performance, and build capable teams across the business. A successful hire will help scale the organization, improve efficiency, and keep operations positioned for sustainable growth.

Core Responsibilities

• Create and implement operating plans that support business goals and long-range growth priorities.
• Oversee manufacturing, warehousing, logistics, shipping, inventory management, and distribution functions end to end.
• Set KPIs, track performance measures, and review financial forecasts to assess results and uncover improvement opportunities.
• Own annual operating budgets and forecasting activities.
• Advance operational performance by introducing best practices, process enhancements, and cost-saving measures.
• Design, roll out, and evaluate manufacturing and operational processes from planning through results measurement.
• Ensure the operation can scale while continuing to meet high standards for quality, service, responsiveness, and cost control.
• Work with senior leadership on inventory strategy and expense management.
• Direct capital planning and project management work, including facility growth and infrastructure upgrades.
• Review current processes to identify efficiency gains and ongoing improvement opportunities.
• Maintain compliance with relevant regulatory, health, safety, and quality obligations.
• Remain accountable for operational results against budget and strategic targets.
• Contribute actively as part of the senior leadership team.
• Lead, coach, and develop a strong operations leadership group.
• Promote a workplace culture built on accountability, engagement, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Set clear expectations for leaders and ensure strong ownership of outcomes.
• Manage performance reviews and support ongoing coaching and development.
• Build leadership depth and succession plans across operations.
• Oversee hiring, workforce planning, and organizational development efforts.
• Encourage open communication through regular meetings and transparent information sharing.
• Support employee engagement, safety, and professional growth initiatives.

Qualifications

• At least 10 years of progressive leadership experience in complex manufacturing, logistics, distribution, or supply chain environments.
• Background in food manufacturing, food distribution, or consumer goods is strongly preferred.
• Proven ability to lead operations in a fast-growing business setting.
• Track record of delivering continuous improvement initiatives with measurable operational and financial impact.
• Substantial experience in high-volume warehousing, pick-and-pack, distribution, and inventory operations.
• Solid exposure to logistics, inventory flow, materials planning, procurement, supplier negotiation, and purchasing.
• Prior involvement in business growth, facility moves, or operational expansion is a plus.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Finance, Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, or a related field.

Skills and Competencies

• Strategic planning and execution
• Operational leadership
• Budgeting and forecasting
• P&L management
• Cost accounting
• Continuous improvement
• Warehouse and distribution operations
• Manufacturing process management
• ERP systems integration
• Data analysis and problem-solving
• Stakeholder management
• Team leadership and coaching

Additional Information

This is a full-time, onsite leadership position based in New York, in the manufacturing / food production and distribution sector. The environment is expected to be fast-paced and may involve complex, around-the-clock operations.