VP of Manufacturing - Waterbury, VT

Job Summary:

As we continue to scale one of the fastest-growing apparel brands, we are seeking a VP of Manufacturing responsible for directing all activities associated with the production of Cabot Hosiery Mills products, including Operational Excellence, Engineering, Safety, Facilities, Production (knitting and finishing), Technicians, Quality and Training spread over three manufacturing locations in Northfield and Waterbury, Vermont. The growth of the business demands a visionary leader in manufacturing who can visualize, develop, communicate, lead, and translate vision into strategy and execution. This person will have a proven record of building winning cultures and must stand as a champion for line staff on the manufacturing floor, promoting safety and well-being.

Starting at $180,000 per year, based on experience.

The Company:

Founded in 1978, Cabot Hosiery Mills is an American manufacturer of premium socks with uncompromised comfort, durability, and fit. With a family of brands including Darn Tough Vermont, Wide Open, and Cabot & Sons, our mission is to make the world’s best socks, in Vermont, USA, and back them with our Unconditional Lifetime Guarantee. We are family-owned, three generations strong, and have yet to produce our best sock.

Job Summary:

As we continue to scale one of the fastest-growing apparel brands, we are seeking a VP of Manufacturing responsible for directing all activities associated with the production of Cabot Hosiery Mills products, including Operational Excellence, Engineering, Safety, Facilities, Production (knitting and finishing), Technicians, Quality and Training spread over three manufacturing locations in Northfield and Waterbury, Vermont. The growth of the business demands a visionary leader in manufacturing who can visualize, develop, communicate, lead, and translate vision into strategy and execution. This person will have a proven record of building winning cultures and must stand as a champion for line staff on the manufacturing floor, promoting safety and well-being.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead manufacturing operations across all sites and shifts.

• Develop and implement forward thinking strategies for 3-5 year planning ensuring consistent and reliable product availability and meet the needs of the organization.

• Improve cost-effectiveness by enhancing workflow, reducing waste, and consistently assess practices, processes, and equipment to recommend changes to increase the performance and efficiency of the overall manufacturing process.

• Manage annual manufacturing budgeting and forecasting with a focus on product costs and overall margins.
• Ensure compliance with all quality, safety, and regulatory standards.
• Achieve production schedules and continuously evaluate and develop manufacturing capabilities.

• Develop and maintain metrics used to track performance with a focus on accountability.
• Develop capacity planning tools and maintain appropriate staffing levels to run the operations efficiently.
• Develop highly effective directors, managers and supervisors and raise the capability of the team.
• Communicate effectively across the business and at the line level to keep staff informed.

• Establish trust and rapport with the manufacturing workforce.

• Ensure cross-training amongst hourly personnel within manufacturing to meet or exceed goals in Production, Safety, Quality and Cost.

• Oversee technical training for manufacturing and develop effective means of building core manufacturing skills within the organization.

• Identify and implement ways of reducing workplace risk and manage the safety of personnel, ensuring staff wellbeing is a priority.
• Responsible for promoting collaboration and building a team atmosphere in each of the functional areas under manufacturing and across departments.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in engineering, operations, or business management.
• 15 plus years of experience overseeing manufacturing operations, preferably in a nondurable goods industry.
• Six Sigma Green Belt Certification required. Black Belt preferred.
• Must have a strong understanding of industrial Safety, OSHA & VOSHA standards/regulations and have been a participant or leader in safety-related teams.

• An unwavering commitment to quality and a champion of continuous improvement with expert knowledge of lean, process improvement and quality management systems with practical application of problem-solving methodologies (DMAIC, A3, etc.)
• Proven ability to meet commitments in a fast-pace environment
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule to maintain visibility on all shifts as needs dictate
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Highly responsible, reliable, and able to manage confidential information
• Proven track record of building relationships with with cross-functional departments
• Must demonstrate a professional demeanor and be a role model for others
• Passionate about working for a values driven company and fully committed to building great cultures and high performing teams
• This position requires commitment to embrace the company’s culture through the alignment of personal behaviors with the company’s core values.

Working Conditions:

• Manufacturing environment – exposure to machinery, noise and other adverse conditions for limited periods of time depending on the role
• Flexible nature to manage competing and changing priorities
• Travel locally to the organization’s sites and locations
• Occasional travel beyond the state of Vermont on as needed basis
• On site and flexible to work on any shift as needed – we operate with three shifts, 7 days/ week.

This job description should not be interpreted to be a complete list of all the duties, qualifications and responsibilities performed by the jobholder. To maintain organizational flexibility, the organization has the discretion to add, drop or change at any time the duties, responsibilities and expectations of this position. This job description does not constitute an offer of employment, continuous employment or an employment contract. Reasonable accommodations will be considered to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.