Vice President, Operations

Latitude Corp.

We are looking for a Vice President, Operations to join our 100% EMPLOYEE-OWNED team.

Company Overview

Latitude Corp., a 100% employee-owned ESOP company, offers challenging and rewarding career opportunities in precision metal manufacturing where we make the impossible possible. Headquartered in WI with locations in AZ and SC, we embrace problem solvers, creativity and innovation. Clean, climate-controlled facilities, offer comfortable working environments. Our customers span a variety of industries from Commercial to Defense. We are proud of the work we do and we believe that our employees are the key to our success.

Job Summary

The Vice President of Operations is responsible for leading and optimizing the company's manufacturing operations across all facilities. This role provides strategic and operational leadership to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable manufacturing performance while delivering exceptional customer service, quality, and financial results.

As a key member of the executive leadership team, the VP of Operations translates company strategy into actionable operating plans, establishes consistent processes and performance standards across locations, develops organizational capabilities, and drives continuous improvement. The position holds accountability for operational execution, customer satisfaction, on-time delivery, quality performance, productivity, safety, and manufacturing costs.

This position is in Manning, SC.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

·        Lead manufacturing operations across all facilities (300 employees), ensuring consistent execution, accountability, and performance.

·        Align workforce, capacity, technology, and capital investments with business growth while ensuring operational readiness and business continuity to support customer demands.

·        Standardize and track operating processes, management routines, metrics and performance expectations across the company.

·        Drive Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives to optimize production capacity, labor, equipment, and resources to support business objectives.

·        Drive the New Product Introduction process to ensure products are manufacturable and processes can deliver quality products on time to customer requirements. 

·        Define and implement an operation’s strategy and goals/KPIs that support the overall strategic direction of the business and growth targets.

·        Identify new technology and equipment to expand capability and capacity in support of current and future customer demands.

·        Oversee supply chain integration, materials planning, and cost control efforts.

·        Operational leader in M&A processes: due diligence, integration planning, leadership retention, and cultural integration

Quality and Compliance

·        Drive quality improvement, root-cause problem-solving, and corrective-action effectiveness.

·        Reduce defects, scrap, rework, and customer complaints while maintaining compliance with applicable Customer quality standards and AS9100.

·        Ensure regulatory compliance, operational safety and quality assurance across the company.

Financial Performance and Productivity

·        Deliver operational performance aligned with revenue, EBITDA, margin, and budget objectives.

·        Improve labor productivity, manufacturing efficiency, cost controls, and asset utilization.

·        Partner with Finance on budgeting, forecasting, capital investments, and monthly operating reviews.

·        Evaluation performance metrics and drive corrective actions to meet business objectives,

Leadership and Organizational Development

·        Build and develop Operations leadership team: attract, retain, and develop the site and corporate level professionals.

·        Lead, coach, and develop Plant Managers and other Operation’s leaders, establishing clear goals and accountability that encourages them to grow and move beyond their comfort zone

·        Foster a culture of safety, employee engagement, ownership, and continuous improvement.

·        Lead and develop the operation’s team to make Latitude an adaptable, responsive and highly collaborative company that attracts and retains talent.

Experience

·        15 years of progressive manufacturing and operations leadership experience, including multi-site responsibility or leadership of complex manufacturing operations that included developing high-performing leadership teams.

·        Experience in multiple disciplines; Production, Manufacturing Engineering, Procurement, and Quality.

·        Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, cost management, and P&L performance.

·        Proven experience implementing Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, continuous improvement, and structured operating systems.

·        Familiarity with ISO 9001 and AS9100 quality management systems or experience in other highly regulated industry.

·        Strong communication, leadership, strategic thinking, decision making, collaboration, problem-solving, and change-management skills.

·        Position will require regular travel to all sites, at times with short notice; 25-50% travel should be anticipated.

Education and Certifications

• ·       Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Manufacturing, Business, or a related field required; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• ·       APICS, ASQ, or other professional certifications a plus.

Why Should You Choose Latitude Corp?

• We are a rapidly growing employee-owned manufacturing company
• Growth Opportunities
• Training Available
• Weekly Pay
• Clean and Climate Controlled Work Environment
• Company Paid Life Insurance
• Company Paid Short-Term, and Long-Term Disability
• Work on products that support the US Military and National Defense
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan
• 401K Plan with 4% Company Match

Latitude Corp is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. This company considers candidates regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.