| Location | Lexington, KY |
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 distributionDrive value-stream optimization and Lean/CI initiatives that improve cost, service, quality, and resiliencePartner with portfolio leadership to establish clear KPIs, dashboards, and governance for operational performanceS&OP Design & Execution Build and standardize S&OP processes across portfolio companies, integrating demand, supply, finance, and operationsImprove forecasting accuracy, capacity planning, and decision-making disciplineCoach leadership teams to sustain planning rigor and accountabilityLead initiatives to reduce inventory, improve payment terms, and enhance AR/AP performanceImprove cash conversion cycle metrics through operational and commercial leversProvide accurate reporting and visibility into EBITDA and cash impacts of operational changesManufacturing & Plant Operations Support Mentor plant managers and operations leaders to improve safety, quality, productivity, and throughputConduct operational assessments and guide remediation plansFacilitate best-practice sharing and maturity-building across all sitesStrategic Value Creation & Transformation Own operational components of Value Creation Plans and 100-Day PlansQuantify operational improvement initiatives and support performance trackingPartner with Deal Teams during diligence to evaluate risks, opportunities, and integration needsExecutive, Board & Stakeholder Engagement Prepare operational updates, KPIs, insights, and materials for executives, lenders, the Investment Committee, and BoardsSupport business reviews, site visits, and strategic planning sessionsHoshin Planning, Budgeting & Performance Management Support development of annual operating plans and Hoshin strategy deploymentAlign operational initiatives to strategic objectives, resource constraints, and financial targetsExecution & Accountability Lead Operators, Associates, and Senior Associates on project execution and deliverablesMaintain accurate VCP tracking, scorecards, timelines, and reporting cadencesEnsure excellence in communication, follow-through, and stakeholder alignmentRequirements 10-15+ years of progressive experience in manufacturing operations, supply chain, or multi-site operations leadershipExperience in industrial manufacturing environments is strongly preferredDemonstrated expertise in S&OP design and executionProven track record of supply chain optimization and working capital improvementExceptional financial acumen related to EBITDA and cash flow mechanicsExperience in private equity or transformation environments preferredBachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Business, or related field; MBA a plus#J-18808-Ljbffr