Vice President of Operations

Cascade Engineering - Grand Rapids MI

Vice President of Operations 

ROLE SUMMARY

The Vice President of Operations provides strategic and operational leadership across all production facilities, ensuring world-class performance in safety, quality, delivery, and cost. This role owns P&L performance for Cost of Goods Produced, leads the implementation and continuous improvement of Lean and TPM systems, and drives alignment among manufacturing, engineering, program management, and supply chain functions. Reporting directly to the President, the VP of Operations serves as a key member of the executive leadership team and plays a critical role in strengthening the company’s competitive position, operational disciplines, and long-term growth trajectory.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Executive Leadership

• Provide strategic direction and executive oversight across Manufacturing, Maintenance, Quality, Supply Chain, Product Engineering, and Program Management.
• Partner with the President and executive team to shape and execute long‐term operational strategy.
• Build a high‐performance culture grounded in safety, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Manufacturing & Operations Leadership

• Ensure safe, efficient, and high‐quality manufacturing across all facilities.
• Drive productivity, cost competitiveness, workforce engagement, and operational consistency.
• Maintain world‐class manufacturing standards for injection molding, extrusion and secondary processes.

Program Management

• Lead the Program Management function and ensure disciplined, predictable execution of all programs.
• Establish governance, standards, and performance metrics that enable on‐time, on‐cost, and on‐quality delivery.
• Drive cross‐functional alignment and accountability to meet customer and business commitments.
• Develop program management talent and organizational capability.

Engineering & Innovation

• Partner with Product Engineering leadership to ensure engineering strategies, priorities, and standards align with operational capabilities, cost targets, and customer requirements.
• Provide enterprise oversight for manufacturability, process readiness, and launch excellence, ensuring new products transition smoothly from development to production.
• Collaborate with Engineering leadership on capital strategy, facility layouts, automation, and equipment selection to support long‐term operational performance and scalability.
• Serve as an escalation and integration point to resolve cross‐functional tradeoffs impacting safety, quality, delivery, cost, or timing.
• Ensure operational feedback loops inform product and process design to drive continuous improvement and innovation.

Integrated Supply Chain

• Partner with Supply Chain leadership to align sourcing, logistics, inventory, and supplier strategies with operational needs, cost targets, and customer commitments.
• Provide operational input into make/buy, footprint, and capacity decisions to optimize total enterprise performance.
• Ensure manufacturing, procurement, and logistics operate with aligned KPIs, planning rhythms, and escalation processes.
• Collaborate on supplier development initiatives to improve quality, delivery, cost, and risk mitigation across the value stream.
• Ensure warehouse and logistics strategies support current operations and future growth.

Drive Operational Excellence (Lean/TPM/CES)

• Champion Lean, TPM, and the Cascade Enterprise Lean System (CES).
• Ensure KPI alignment across all facilities
• Implement systems and processes that enhance transparency, efficiency, and performance.
• Develop and execute the operational strategy and manufacturing footprint plan.
• Establish and manage operational budgets and capital plans.
• Own COGP performance and ensure Operations leaders have the tools to manage P&Ls.
• Use financial data and KPIs to set priorities and drive improvement.

Compliance & Governance

• Ensure compliance with IATF 16949, ISO‐14001 and all regulatory requirements.
• Maintain world‐class safety standards and environmental stewardship.

People & Culture

• Build, develop, and mentor a strong leadership team.
• Ensure training and development programs support current and future operational needs.
• Foster a culture that reflects our values of dignity, respect, inclusion, and continuous improvement.

MEASURES OF SUCCESS

• Year-over-year improvement in safety, quality, delivery, and cost metrics
• Sustained Lean/TPM maturity improvements across all facilities
• Improved capital effectiveness (OEE, utilization, ROI)
• Bench strength and succession planning readiness
• Technological advancement (Industry 4.0, AI)
• On time and on budget product launches

CULTURE BEARER

• Understands and supports the values of the Triple Bottom Line (TBL)
• Exhibits high moral and ethical standards and high integrity
• Exhibit the principles of 7 Habits and Emotional Intelligence  
• Values people regardless of their background
• Exhibits the traits of a servant leader
• Encourages open dialogue and communication
• Develops high trust relationships within all levels of the organization
• Pursues Excellence  

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Operations Management, Business Administration, or a related field; master’s degree/MBA strongly preferred.
• 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing operations, quality, maintenance, engineering, program management, and/or supply chain management.
• 5+ years in a senior executive role overseeing complex, multi-site manufacturing operations.
• Experience in plastics manufacturing, including injection molding or comparable processes.
• Demonstrated expertise in Lean Manufacturing, TPM, ERP systems, and integrated supply chain management.
• Strong financial and analytical acumen, with a proven ability to drive improvements in cost, quality, delivery, safety, and innovation.
• Excellent executive leadership capabilities, with a track record of developing high-performing teams and leading large-scale organizational change.
• Proven effectiveness in strategic planning and execution, cross-functional collaboration, and operational/engineering excellence.
• Customer-focused mindset with the ability to build strong internal and external relationships.