Vice President of Operations-Millwork

About the Company

Our client is an established architectural millwork and commercial casework manufacturer with more than 40 years of industry experience. With a skilled, experienced workforce, approximately 40,000 square feet of manufacturing capacity, and longstanding relationships throughout the commercial construction market, the company has built a strong foundation for continued growth.

The organization is entering its next stage of development and is focused on improving operational efficiency, strengthening leadership accountability, and building a more scalable, profitable business. This is an opportunity to join an established company and make a meaningful impact on its operating performance and long-term success.

About the Position

Our client is seeking a Vice President of Operations to lead the company's day-to-day operations and drive improvements across project management, engineering, procurement, manufacturing, delivery, and installation. Reporting directly to the President, this executive will have significant authority over daily operations and the opportunity to strengthen processes, develop talent, and improve overall business performance.

The ideal candidate brings experience in engineered-to-order manufacturing and understands how to coordinate multiple departments to deliver complex projects efficiently, profitably, and consistently. This leader will balance strategic planning with hands-on operational leadership, building systems that support sustainable growth while reducing the need for ownership to manage routine operating decisions.

Key Responsibilities

- Operational Leadership: Align project management, engineering, procurement, production, delivery, and installation around shared priorities, schedules, and performance goals.

- Project Execution:
Improve project management processes from award through closeout, with a focus on scheduling, cost control, change orders, risk management, and profitability.

- Engineering and Production Coordination: Strengthen workflows between engineering and manufacturing, improve production readiness, and reduce rework caused by incomplete information or inefficient handoffs.

- Manufacturing Performance: Increase throughput, improve capacity planning, optimize labor productivity, strengthen quality control, and improve schedule reliability.

- Delivery and Installation: Improve installation planning, site readiness, delivery coordination, field productivity, and project closeout while protecting margins and customer relationships.

- Financial Performance: Partner with the President and Finance team to improve gross margins, project profitability, working capital, cost visibility, and overall financial results.

- Systems and Process Improvement: Lead the evaluation and implementation of ERP and operational management systems, including INNERGY or other approved platforms, to improve visibility, accountability, and decision-making.

- Leadership Development: Develop existing employees, strengthen management accountability, establish clear responsibilities, and build a leadership team capable of independently managing its functions.

- Customer Relationships and Growth: Support key accounts, assist with project selection, and help ensure new business aligns with the company's capacity, capabilities, and profitability objectives.

Requirements

- Significant leadership experience in architectural millwork, commercial casework, custom manufacturing, building products, or another project-driven manufacturing environment.

- Demonstrated success leading multiple operational functions, including project management, engineering, production, and field execution.

- Strong understanding of engineered-to-order manufacturing and the coordination required to move projects from engineering through production and installation.

- Experience with P&L management, job costing, budgeting, and operational financial analysis.

- Proven ability to improve manufacturing throughput, capacity utilization, schedule performance, quality, and profitability.

- Experience implementing or improving ERP, manufacturing, or project management systems.

- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate performance data into practical operational improvements.

- Demonstrated ability to lead experienced teams through change while developing talent and strengthening accountability.

- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills with employees, customers, general contractors, architects, suppliers, and ownership.

- A hands-on, ownership-oriented leadership style that balances strategic thinking with practical execution.

Benefits

- Executive-level compensation commensurate with experience.

- Direct reporting relationship to the President and meaningful operational authority.

- Opportunity to influence company strategy through operational performance and profitable growth.

- Leadership role overseeing an established workforce and integrated manufacturing and project delivery functions.

- Opportunity to implement process improvements, modern operating systems, and scalable management practices.

- Long-term career opportunity with an established company and strong industry relationships.