VP, Operations

Position Purpose

The VP, Operations is a key member of the senior leadership team, responsible for all departments and activities related to delivering automation systems to our clients. This includes safety, manufacturing, Installation, Service, quality, supply chain and facilities. This position reports directly to the CEO and works collaboratively across the organization to expand our execution capabilities and align our teams to Wow Our Clients.

We are looking for an exceptional people leader who sets a high bar for their team and for the business, while cultivating an environment that encourages creative problem-solving and out-of-the-box thinking. Our aim is to balance high performance with a culture of innovation and teamwork.

As DWFritz continues to evolve, this role will be critical in driving operational improvements that contribute directly to the profitability and scalability of the business. This will require a leader who is not only strategic but also relentless in their pursuit of operational excellence and results.

This position is a fit for you if enjoy:

• Being a part of an organization that prides itself on innovating and finding a better way.
• Being a partner in a dedicated, motivated, and engaged senior management team.
• Using your deep operational knowledge and business acumen to drive necessary change and strategically advise the business on key improvement opportunities and strategy.
• Being a hands-on leader for the Operations teams, bringing creativity, professionalism, and consistent execution to inspire and grow the team’s capabilities.
• Guide the evolution of a culture built on collaboration and innovation, while focusing on operational excellence and driving measurable business outcomes.
• Working beside your peers to facilitate organizational change as the organization grows, shifts, and moves into new markets.
  
  

Responsibilities

• Lives and models the company’s Core Values.
• Provide leadership, direction, and development for all operational teams.
• Serve as a key member of senior management team to support strategic planning, influence direction, and facilitate execution of goals and objectives.
• Lead operational teams to ensure systems are manufactured and delivered on-time according to customer requirements.
• Partner with operations staff and engineering leadership to develop systems and processes to enable continued business growth and efficient use of resources.
• Develop and communicate priorities, issues, and operational plans across all levels of organization, and lead resolution of operational issues/problems to meet company objectives.
• Develop and implement risk management strategies to address potential operational disruptions, including supply chain risks, manufacturing delays, and quality issues. Proactively identify and mitigate risks to ensure smooth and efficient delivery of automation systems.
• Evaluate manufacturing processes and operational workflow, establish performance metrics, and lead Lean Manufacturing efforts to maximize efficiency, quality and capacity utilization.
• Establish and track performance metrics related to operational efficiency, cost management, on-time delivery, quality, and customer satisfaction. Ensure operations meet or exceed performance goals in line with company objectives.
• Accountable for achieving quarterly and annual operational KPIs, including but not limited to:
  1. On-time delivery performance (target >95%)
  2. Manufacturing efficiency (target to improve year-on-year)
  3. Cost reduction targets through Lean and/or Six Sigma initiatives
  4. Customer satisfaction metrics (measured through post-installation surveys and service feedback)
  5. Product quality assurance, ensuring a reduction in customer complaints and returns
• Develop methodology and framework for operations departments to embrace and utilize Lean Manufacturing principles.
• Lead operational teams to identify and implement innovative solutions that improve manufacturing processes, enhance product quality, and reduce costs. Encourage a culture of innovation by exploring the adoption of new technologies and process improvements.
• Lead the execution of strategic operational initiatives, focusing on scalability, process optimization, and resource management to support the company's growth trajectory.
• Oversee continuous improvement efforts using Lean, Six Sigma, and Industry 4.0 methodologies, focusing on long-term operational efficiency and process enhancements.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Technical Knowledge: Possesses experience and knowledge of complex, multi-million-dollar engineering solutions for “Engineered to Order” capital equipment projects.
• Cross-Functional Partnership: Identifies with the larger organizational team, "One Team," and collaborates to achieve common goals and objectives. Exchanges ideas and information across teams, considers the impacts of actions/decisions on others, ensures that communication is effectively managed with the relevant stakeholders, respecting and valuing diverse opinions, backgrounds, and cultures.
• Team Leadership: Recognizes skills and abilities of team to maximize team performance, to entrust employees with challenging/meaningful work, understand where to coach and develop employees, and to identify gaps and the talent needed for the team to perform successfully. Organizes and plans work to communicate clear goals, roles and responsibilities, expectations, and manages change as it comes to drive quick adoption and engagement with new goals, responsibilities, etc.
• Develop a talent strategy to ensure succession planning within the operations team, focusing on training and developing future leaders who can support the company's long-term operational goals.
• Promote an environment of continuous learning by implementing training programs for both technical and leadership skills within the team
• Business Acumen: Applies business principles and financial metrics combined with an understanding of the company's strategic intent, to make decisions about systems, processes, structure, investments. Develops and monitors progress toward business KPIs, and continually considers alternatives based on threats and opportunities in both the domestic and global markets.
• Strategic Thinking: Considers factors influencing an organization (core competence, customers, competition, SWOT, market, and economic trends) and creates and/or influences a long-term vision for the company. Formulates strategies, outlines the necessary steps, communicates these strategies to secure stakeholder support, and makes decisions and takes actions aligned with both the established strategies and the company's overall goals.
• Innovation: Fosters an environment of creativity, calculated risk taking, idea generation, and leads and influences others to act on those ideas. Committed to find a better way by challenging pre-existing conceptions and offering alternatives. Dares to consider the unorthodox and knows to fail fast.
• Personal Presence: Possesses an awareness of own values, motivations, strengths & weaknesses, and emotional responses. Applies this awareness to show up as an authentic, positive, and composed presence for their team, to bring energy and passion to their work, and to be responsive to feedback and training to continue one's personal growth.
• Creating & Capitalizing on Opportunity: Identifies opportunities to accelerate efficiency and scale capabilities. Decisive and collaborative in guiding change.
• Communication: Effectively communicates and fosters understanding and alignment with both external and internal clients by actively listening, sharing relevant information, utilizing professional writing and presentation skills, and being mindful of cultural and audience considerations in their communications.
• Demonstrating Character & Integrity: Builds Trust by keeping the best interest of the client in mind, maintaining composure and professionalism in all situations, showing authenticity, and performing according to commitments.
• Proficient use of business software: word processing, spreadsheet, database, e-mail as well as project management and CRM tools.
• Possession of valid driver’s license, acceptable driving record, and proof of current vehicle insurance for frequent travel.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or business or equivalent experience required; MBA preferred
• 15 years of progressively successful operational leadership experience manufacturing, supply chain, and facilities.

Interpersonal Contacts

External to DWFritz

• Clients and vendors.

Internal to DWFritz

• All departments and staff.

Work Environment

• This job operates in a professional office environment. This role uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, copiers, scanners, fax, mobile communications.

Physical Demands

The physical demands listed here are typical for the role and may be modified upon request for reasonable accommodation. The employee may be working at a personal computer workstation for most of the workday, both in a professional office environment and on the shop floor. The position requires the employee to communicate with others including talking and hearing, sometimes in environments with significant ambient noise. The employee must be able to wear personal protective equipment and gear for much of the workday. The employee must be able to ascend and descend ladders, work in confined spaces, and be mobile / working on their feet for much of the day. The employee may occasionally lift up to 50 pounds; bend, stoop, kneel, and grasp.

Equal Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

The above description is intended to identify the essential functions and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as a complete statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements. All jobs require behaviors consistent with our Core Values and Culture.