Custom Manufacturing – Vice-president Operations –

Custom Manufacturing - Vice-president Operations - Toronto About the Company Our client is a Canadian manufacturer, designer and installer of custom products for commercial interior applications.
The firm is an emerging leader in its field with customers across North America.
The firm is growing quickly and is highly regarded in its industry.
Our client's success has been built on innovation, aesthetics, long-lasting durability, uncompromising service excellence, flexibility, value, and passion for its customers' success.
A loyal, committed and entrepreneurial team makes this all possible.
Long privately owned and managed, several years ago our client chose to accelerate its growth by welcoming new owners.
The results have been success on every front.
As the firm now executes on its aggressive growth plans, it is creating a new position, that of Vice-President Operations, that will have the specific responsibility of ensuring that the project management, operations and installations organizations execute and scale to meet that growth.
Scope of Position Reporting to the company's CEO, the VP Operations will be responsible for all matters relating to the company's projects and production processes from the ordering of goods and raw materials through to efficient assembly, installation and quality of manufactured solutions to keep pace with market demand and delight customers.
In achieving this, the VP Operations will evaluate all existing systems, processes and metrics with a view to recommending and then implementing continuous improvement mechanisms and disciplines which will minimize costs and waste while maximizing scheduling, production and quality outputs.
No less important, the VP Operations will achieve these results by cultivating positive relationships across the organization while nurturing a culture of excellence.
Functional Tasks Develop, align and execute project management, manufacturing and installation plans to strategic plans.Assess and evaluate all current operations-related processes, make recommendations and execute ongoing changes that improve efficiencies and cost effectiveness.Refine key performance indicators (KPIs) and other metrics by which to better monitor, manage and improve operations.Develop strategic projects to identify and deliver key business improvements throughout operations.Cultivate a continuous improvement or related lean manufacturing culture across the organization.Play a hands-on role in managing all day-to-day operations working closely with key managers and team members.Supervise preparation of project schedules and plan ordering cycles to ensure production volumes can be met.Implement and manage systems for the ordering of goods and raw materials that minimizes stockholding quantities yet is suitably timed to ensure uninterrupted production of the company's products in keeping with the market demand.Continually evaluate costing and supply chain strategies and approaches against best practices.Strategic planning, budget preparation and accountability for operational matters within the budget process.Ensure that all team members understand their objectives and that they are monitored.
Provide regular and constructive feedback.Manage and oversee the maintenance and servicing of the company's production equipment to minimize downtimes while maximizing the efficiency and working life of all production equipment and machinery.Ensure that operations provide input into current performance management systems.Ensure that operations are compliant with all provincial and national regulatory standards pertaining to health and safety, quality and labor management.Ensure that quality processes and standards are compliant and continually enhanced.Evaluate staff related processes and procedures including work rules, position descriptions, responsibilities, and training with a view to both optimizing productivity and enhancing employee relations.Proactively pursue strong positive relationships with employees while implementing an appropriate culture of accountability.Motivate staff through being a positive, encouraging yet non-compromising champion for continual improvement.Mentor and coach staff and provide them with development plans to continue their growth.Contribute to the overall executive management of the firm, as part of the senior management team.
Work closely with finance and sales to ensure expectations are aligned.Support the CEO in refining the roadmap for the business, including an assessment of the company's existing market opportunities, competitive positioning and growth opportunities going forward.Work closely with the other management team members to learn the business.Key Performance Indicators In light of the identified responsibilities, the following are specific deliverables that the position is designed to achieve.
To be discussed and agreed upon with the successful candidate.Competency Profile The following competencies define the role of Vice-President Operations at our client:
Results Orientation:
Focuses strongly on achieving agreed upon outcomes and ensures that key objectives are met.Planning & Objective Setting:
Systematic in approach to work, produces action plans in which objectives are defined.People Management:
Establishes and communicates clear priorities and sense of direction.Customer/Client Orientation:
Strives to provide customers/clients with personalized and efficient service.Strategic Approach:
Develops a strategic plan to realize the vision.Information Seeking:
Consults widely for business or technical advice.Industry & Market Awareness:
Seeks to anticipate and respond to industry and market changes.Commercial Acumen:
Applies appropriate commercial and financial principles.Aligned Core Values:
Operates, leads and evaluates people based on the company's core values.Preferred Experience / Education Minimum of 10-15 years of experience in custom or low volume/high mix manufacturing.Experience in implementing best practices in operations, project management, quality systems, and engineering.Business transformation experience within mid-sized and private businesses.Take charge orientation.Experience in striking a balance between substantive yet measured change.Complementary business experience that can be leveraged in the current role.A track record of success distinguished by having cultivated positive working relationships.Project management experience beneficial.Excellent communication and analytical skills.Strong leadership abilities.A dynamic and self-motivated person with structured working style.Experience in complex ERP/manufacturing/business systems.Experience gained within a sheet metal assembly, tech/electronics manufacturing, woodworking or related environments advantageous.Proven experience working with and developing high performance teams.Bachelor's degree in engineering, business or finance, or combination of work history and education.
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