Purpose of Role

The Senior Vice President of Operations (SVP) is a pivotal leader driving operational excellence, innovation, and a culture of belonging in a fast-paced injection molding plastics manufacturing environment. This role encompasses the entire operations value chain—engineering, production, quality, safety, and supply chain—while fostering a collaborative and people-centered culture aligned with the company’s mission, vision, and values. The SVP will lead strategic initiatives to achieve long-term growth, profitability, and industry leadership by integrating Lean principles, cutting-edge technologies, and sustainable practices.

Areas of Accountability

Model Core Values and Build a Collaborative Culture

Champion the organization’s core values—Family, Service, Growth, Intrapreneurship, and Innovation—and celebrate these in others. Foster an inclusive culture of collaboration and belonging, ensuring all team members feel valued and empowered. Lead with empathy and fairness, promoting leadership accountability, fostering employee engagement, and creating an environment where employees thrive in alignment with organizational goals.

Drive Market Leadership and Operational Growth

Establish the company as the market performance leader by achieving excellence from design to delivery. Expand operational capabilities to enhance market competitiveness, agility, and scalability. Partner with stakeholders to drive initiatives that position the company as a trusted advisor to our customers.

Talent Development and Succession Planning

Collaborate with Human Capital to implement robust onboarding, coaching, and mentoring programs. Establish and maintain a structured feedback system, including quarterly and annual performance reviews. Develop a strong talent pipeline through proactive succession planning and leadership development initiatives.

Safety Practices and Risk Management

Drive a zero-preventable-incident culture by embedding a safety-first mindset and practices into daily operations. Ensure compliance with safety protocols and regulatory standards across all facilities. Conduct site visits to reinforce safety-first principles, operational excellence, and team engagement.

Strategic Vision and Plan Alignment

Lead the development and execution of the Operations Strategic Plan aligned with the company’s mission, vision, and values. Collaborate with Sales, Finance, and NPD to align operational strategies with company-wide objectives. Set actionable goals that enable growth and long-term strategic priorities while ensuring execution consistency.

Operational Excellence and Digital Transformation

Implement and uphold the Rehrig Accountable Management System to enhance operational accountability. Drive Lean manufacturing, 5S, and continuous improvement initiatives to optimize efficiency and quality. Leverage digital tools and technologies like IoT, robotics, and AI to enhance business processes and manufacturing operations.

R&D and Innovation

Partner with R&D to strike the right balance between incremental and transformational product innovation. Support efforts in circularity and advanced manufacturing to develop sustainable and cost-effective solutions. Foster a culture of innovation to enhance product offerings and meet evolving customer needs.

Portfolio Management and Market Diversification

Deepen market strengths through enhanced product and service offerings tailored to customer needs. Diversify the business portfolio by identifying new opportunities in adjacent or emerging markets. Develop strategies to maintain balance and growth across existing and new offerings.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Partner with Sales, Marketing, Finance, Human Capital, and NPD teams to ensure seamless operational alignment. Build strong relationships with customers, suppliers, and stakeholders to support business growth. Facilitate effective communication and collaboration across departments to enhance organizational agility.

Financial Oversight and Collaboration

Collaborate with Finance to manage forecasts, budgets, and capital spending, ensuring alignment with operational goals. Use financial data and operational measurements to drive informed decision-making. Optimize resource allocation to balance cost efficiency with business growth.

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

A bachelor’s degree in engineering, operations, or a related field; an MBA or advanced degree is preferred. 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing operations, preferably within plastics or injection molding industries. Proven track record in leading and implementing Lean principles, digital transformation, automation technologies, and sustainability initiatives. Strategic thinker who can translate vision into long-term strategies and actionable plans. Exceptional people-oriented leadership and interpersonal skills, fostering engagement and empowerment. Proficient in leveraging data for decision-making and driving operational focus. Exceptional team player and organizational influencer. A Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or equivalent certification is preferred. Willingness to travel up to 60-70% to support operational sites and customer relationships.

Rehrig Pacific is committed to fostering a culture that values inclusion and belonging, giving everyone a fair chance to join the team.