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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a VP of Operations

💰 $200,000 - $350,000+

Executive LeadershipOperationsStrategyManagement

🎯 Role Definition

The Vice President of Operations is a cornerstone of the executive team, serving as the strategic architect and executor of a company's entire operational framework. This leader is responsible for translating high-level corporate vision into tangible, efficient, and scalable day-to-day realities. They are the master conductor of the complex orchestra that includes supply chain, production, logistics, quality control, and customer fulfillment. More than just a manager of processes, the VP of Operations is a forward-thinking strategist who anticipates future needs, a financial steward who drives profitability, and a people-centric leader dedicated to building and nurturing high-performing teams. Their ultimate goal is to ensure the organization's engine is not only running smoothly today but is also engineered for sustained growth and resilience tomorrow.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Director of Operations
  • Senior Operations Manager
  • General Manager with P&L responsibility

Advancement To:

  • Chief Operating Officer (COO)
  • Division President
  • Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Lateral Moves:

  • Chief Strategy Officer (CSO)
  • VP of Global Supply Chain

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Architect and execute a comprehensive operational strategy that aligns with the company's long-term growth objectives, market opportunities, and financial goals.
  • Assume full P&L responsibility for the operations division, meticulously managing budgets, driving cost-reduction initiatives, and ensuring financial forecasts are met or exceeded.
  • Lead, mentor, and empower a diverse team of operations leaders, fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and professional development across all departments.
  • Drive the continuous improvement and optimization of all business processes using methodologies like Lean, Six Sigma, and Kaizen to enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and increase productivity.
  • Oversee the end-to-end global supply chain, including strategic sourcing, procurement, inventory management, and logistics, to ensure a resilient, cost-effective, and timely flow of goods.
  • Establish, monitor, and rigorously analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) across all operational functions, using data to inform strategic decisions and communicate performance to the executive team.
  • Champion the implementation of new technologies, such as ERP systems, automation, and business intelligence tools, to drive digital transformation and create a competitive advantage in operations.
  • Ensure unwavering compliance with all legal, regulatory, health, and safety standards across all facilities and operational activities, proactively mitigating risks.
  • Direct and scale manufacturing, production, or service delivery functions, focusing on capacity planning, quality output, and on-time delivery to meet customer demand.
  • Cultivate and manage strategic relationships with key vendors, suppliers, and third-party logistics partners, leading contract negotiations to secure favorable terms.
  • Act as a key member of the executive leadership team, providing critical operational insights and collaborating on company-wide strategic planning and decision-making.
  • Develop and implement robust quality assurance and quality control programs that safeguard product integrity and enhance customer satisfaction and brand reputation.
  • Lead operational due diligence for potential mergers and acquisitions and subsequently spearhead the successful integration of newly acquired entities into the existing operational framework.
  • Formulate and execute sophisticated capacity and resource planning strategies to ensure the organization can flexibly scale to meet fluctuating market demands.
  • Oversee all aspects of facility management for operational sites, including maintenance, security, and planning for future expansion or consolidation.
  • Champion a world-class customer experience by ensuring that fulfillment, service delivery, and support operations are seamless, responsive, and exceed expectations.
  • Develop and maintain comprehensive business continuity and disaster recovery plans to minimize disruption and protect the company's operational capabilities.
  • Prepare and deliver compelling presentations on operational performance, strategic initiatives, and financial outcomes to the CEO, executive team, and Board of Directors.
  • Drive a culture of data-driven decision-making, empowering teams to use analytics to identify trends, solve complex problems, and uncover new opportunities for improvement.
  • Foster an environment of cross-functional collaboration, working closely with Sales, Marketing, Finance, and R&D to ensure seamless alignment from product conception to customer delivery.

Secondary Functions

  • Serve as a key spokesperson for the company's operational capabilities with investors, partners, and major clients.
  • Act as a mentor and coach for emerging leaders within the operations department and across the organization.
  • Represent the organization at industry conferences, trade shows, and networking events to stay abreast of trends and best practices.
  • Lead or sponsor major cross-functional projects that require significant operational planning and execution.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • P&L Management & Financial Acumen: Deep expertise in budgeting, forecasting, cost control, and linking operational metrics to financial outcomes.
  • Supply Chain & Logistics Management: Mastery of end-to-end supply chain principles, including strategic sourcing, inventory optimization, and global logistics.
  • Process Improvement Methodologies: Proven proficiency in applying frameworks like Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma (Green or Black Belt preferred), and Kaizen to drive efficiency.
  • Data Analysis & Business Intelligence: Ability to interpret complex operational data, manage by metrics (KPIs, OKRs), and utilize BI tools for strategic insights.
  • ERP & Operations Technology: In-depth knowledge of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and other operational software (WMS, TMS, MES).
  • Contract Negotiation & Vendor Management: Skilled in negotiating complex agreements and managing long-term relationships with suppliers and partners.
  • Capacity Planning & Forecasting: Advanced skills in modeling future demand and planning for labor, equipment, and facility needs accordingly.
  • Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management: Thorough understanding of industry-specific regulations (e.g., OSHA, FDA, ISO) and operational risk mitigation strategies.
  • Project & Program Management: Competency in managing large-scale, complex projects from conception to completion, often using formal methodologies.

Soft Skills

  • Strategic Thinking: The ability to see the big picture, anticipate future trends, and develop long-range plans that create a competitive advantage.
  • Transformational Leadership: Inspiring and guiding large teams through significant change, building consensus, and fostering a high-performance culture.
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: A natural ability to build bridges and work effectively with peers in Finance, Sales, HR, and Technology to achieve shared goals.
  • Decisive Problem-Solving: Capable of making sound, data-backed decisions quickly and confidently, even with incomplete information.
  • Exceptional Communication: Articulate and persuasive, able to clearly communicate complex ideas to a variety of audiences, from the boardroom to the factory floor.
  • Adaptability & Resilience: Thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and can effectively lead a team through unforeseen challenges and setbacks.
  • Business Acumen: A holistic understanding of how a business operates and makes money, and how operations directly impacts the bottom line.
  • Negotiation & Influence: The ability to influence stakeholders at all levels and negotiate effectively to drive desired outcomes for the organization.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor's Degree

Preferred Education:

  • Master of Business Administration (MBA) or a Master's degree in a relevant field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Business Administration
  • Operations Management
  • Supply Chain Management
  • Industrial Engineering

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 15-20+ years of progressively responsible experience in operations management.

Preferred:

  • At least 5-7 years of experience in a senior leadership capacity (e.g., Director or VP level) with a proven track record of managing large, complex teams and significant P&L responsibility. Experience within a high-growth or large-scale environment is highly desirable.
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