SVP of Enterprise Operations

• Job Tag:
• Posted: September 09,2024
  
  

I have been retained by Winnebago Industries (NYSE: WGO) to help them secure their next SVP of Enterprise Operations. The job is open due to promotion of a person I placed there 8 years ago and will report directly to the CEO. Winnebago Industries is a family of brands, each unique in its own rich legacy but united in the pursuit to Be Great, Outdoors. Winnebago Industries is a leading North American manufacturer of outdoor recreation products under the Winnebago, Grand Design, Chris-Craft, Newmar, and Barletta brands. The company builds high quality motorhomes, travel trailers, fifth-wheel products, outboard and sterndrive powerboats, pontoons, and community outreach vehicles. They also design and manufacture advanced battery solutions that deliver “house power,” supporting internal electrical features and appliances for a variety of outdoor products including RVs, boats, specialty and other low-speed vehicles, as well as other industrial applications.

Responsibilities

Reporting to the CEO, this person will be a key strategic partner on the executive team, driving business results to lead the organization into the future and in line with their mission, vision, and purpose. This role will also partner with the business units in the development and execution of a vertical integration strategy and operational digital strategy which will ultimately connect seamlessly to the front and back end of the business Key Areas of Responsibility The SVP, Enterprise Operations is responsible for ensuring there is a comprehensive and cohesive enterprise-wide long-term operational strategy (e.g., footprint, vertical, technology) designed to improve manufacturing and supply chain capabilities within their organization. The role partners with the businesses and enterprise functions on the development, implementation, execution, and on-going refinement and modernization of the evolution of their operations environment. The leader in this role is a key strategic partner on the executive team, driving business results to lead the organization into the future and in line with their mission, vision and purpose. The SVP functions as a strategic thought partner and resource on these centers of excellence, understanding the various needs across the enterprise, and driving operational plans and programs needed to meet the goals of the organization and each business. This role is directly responsible for the creation, deployment and stewardship of: ? Global footprint strategies for the enterprise ? Digital operations strategies ? Product consolidation opportunities ? Enterprise vertical integration strategies ? Oversight of strategic sourcing, quality, business excellence, manufacturing systems, and employee safety & security ? Execution of operational due diligence and associated integration related to acquisitions ? Special projects based on specific business needs ? Other duties as assigned from the CEO Leadership Leads and develops a high performing enterprise operations team to ensure Winnebago Industries is building an operations ecosystem that drives excellence in each of their business units and across the enterprise. Acts as a key partner to each of the portfolio businesses in the selection, assessment and development of operational leaders across the organization. Operations Planning Brings strategic vision and collaborates with the business regarding the manufacturing/operations planning needed to balance long term needs with short term priorities. The SVP is accountable to the CEO for effectively overseeing the growth of the organization related to materials management, purchasing, logistics, production, quality assurance, manufacturing, scheduling, engineering, and facility maintenance to support revenue goals. This role is expected to play a key role in driving capital expenditure planning and manufacturing planning. Strategic Sourcing & Quality Assurance Accountable for the oversight of monitoring and testing programs to ensure that incoming components and finished products are within specifications. Oversees systems and programs ensuring that all products manufactured by the company and outsourced suppliers meet established specifications and are of superior quality, consistency and reliability. Oversees best practice initiatives and programs to streamline and scale supplier and vendor management processes and standards, including identifying opportunities for synergy and cost savings. Ensures supply chain programs and processes are dynamic and resilient in the event of a crisis. Compliance & Safety Consistent with federal/state regulations and company policies, the SVP is accountable for ensuring that all manufacturing facilities operate in strict compliance with government requirements as well as corporate policies within the scope of scheduling, production, quality assurance, environmental and all other operations. Oversees the development and implementation of all safety policies and programs to promote a culture of zero harm. Continuous Improvement Promotes a mindset of continuous improvement and drives operational excellence through optimizing processes, structure, and data to promote growth, effectiveness, efficiency, data quality and service delivery towards end users and customers. Builds trusted partnerships across the business units to influence and implement best practice and standardized methodologies, processes and procedures to enable growth, manufacturing innovation and quality. Performance Metrics Ensures operational leaders have tools and processes to operate within or below budgeted guidelines while delivering quality, on time, finished goods. Consistently collaborates with businesses to identify and execute cost reduction areas as well as areas of productivity, process, and safety improvements. Manufacturing schedule attainment is vital within the context of customer service expectations, cost and quality considerations. Partners with businesses to achieve working capital targets and consistent cash flow. Focuses on risk mitigation, value creation, and driving synergies across all operations. Critical Competencies and Skills: ? Communicate Clearly: Says what needs to be said and listens to what others have to say, communicates transparently and authentically, uses data to create a compelling story, creates and regularly articulates an inspiring vision for the future. ? Collaboration & Influence: Motivated by interdependence, works with others toward a common goal, leverages strong communication skills to bring others along, actively and positively influencing vs directing, sets an example and coaches others on effectively addressing challenges, finds win-win solutions ? Manages Complexity: Applies broad knowledge and seasoned experience to address complex issues, deals with uncertainty and solve intractable problems ? Strategic Mindset: Develops enterprise-wide strategies that are distinctive in the market, create value and provide sustainable competitive advantage. Identifies and engages stakeholders to build alignment across the enterprise and drives decision-making down through the organization as appropriate. ? Change Leadership: Is able to lead an organization through significant change covering strategy, operations, process, culture, and behavior, ranging from operational change management to business-wide transformation. ? Drive Results: Demonstrates the ability to get things done while setting clear and challenging goals for the team; delegates and holds team accountable; sets expectations for safety, quality, and pace of work; looks for efficiencies and remove barriers to improvement; build team capabilities and synergies. ? Inspires Growth: Helps others improve by creating and reinforcing systems to support talent development; models effective coaching and delivery of feedback and recognition; creates and support a commitment to leveraging a growth. ? Be Inclusive: Seeks out different perspectives while cultivating an inclusive culture across the enterprise; develops others to be inclusive; builds teams that represent diverse perspectives; sets expectations for building trusted relationships across teams and business units; builds and leverages networks across the enterprise and outside the organization. ? Explores Possibilities: Asks “what if?” and embraces new ideas, sets a climate where innovative ideas are recognized and rewarded; continuously scans the market to stay current with business trends; takes a big picture view and anticipates emerging trends ? Transform the Road Ahead: Anticipates opportunities by establishing a culture where intelligent risk-taking is recognized and rewarded; allows teams to fail forward and learn from mistakes without fear of retribution; models the ability to anticipate and plan for disruption; prioritizes long-term thinking. ? Ability to think critically – recognizes connections, translates goals into action, uses strong judgment to make choices in alignment with strategy and company culture/values. ? Authentic leadership. A trusted and collaborative operator with humility and excellent leadership skills, who excels at developing people and building diverse, inclusive teams. ? Demonstrates integrity. Be trusted with all assets of the organization and protect them as if they were your own.

Desired Skills And Experience

This role requires an experienced manufacturing operations leader who has a sense of purpose and the breadth of experience to define and lead a strategic vision across multiple key areas and execute on the strategy by working collaboratively with people at all levels in the organization. They hire people who are humble, hungry, and smart. The ideal candidate will be a passionate and exceptional communicator with a high degree of emotional intelligence who can articulate a clear vision and build continued excitement about the Winnebago Industries family of brands and direction of the company. In addition, the successful candidate will be a strategic thought leader who can drive change and influence enterprise and business unit collaboration. ? Bachelor’s degree in engineering, manufacturing, or equivalent technical degree ? Master’s degree in business is preferred. ? 20 years progressive operations experience with 10+ years in durable goods. ? Experience managing large scale operations (end-to-end with multi-site leadership responsibilities). Global experience preferred. ? Experience in M&A as a primary operations lead on due diligence and integration is required and global experience preferred. ? Business case development and execution of brownfield and greenfield operational expansions required with a preference for experience with global operations. ? This position will require 30-50% travel to other Winnebago Industries locations, based on business needs.