What are the responsibilities and job description for the Vice President Operations position at Harvey Hohauser & Associates - Retained Executive Search?

Vice President of Operations

RHH202501

The Company :

A family-owned and nationally led wholesale distribution company that has built its business on strong values and a commitment to innovation and quality products. Our client brings over 30 years’ experience dedicated to building solid relationships and providing excellent service in commercial, architectural, and high-end residential construction and design services. They are considered one of the country’s leading solutions providers in their field.

The Opportunity :

Our client is seeking an experienced and innovative customer centric operations leader to play an integral part in driving organizational growth and efficiency. The Vice President of Operations will oversee the day-to-day operations across multiple locations, focusing on optimizing processes, and delivering operational excellence. The ideal candidate is a proactive leader who thrives on managing multiple priorities, assessing technical options, and developing creative, measurable solutions. They will possess a deep understanding of operational best practices in the distribution and logistics sector, warehouse management systems, and key performance indicators (KPIs). They should also be adept at managing complex, cross-functional projects and leading dynamic teams to meet deadlines and deliver results.

The successful candidate will be hands-on, self-motivated, and capable of leading with minimal oversight from ownership. This individual will excel at creating and refining operational processes, ensuring the company remains a market leader while positioning it for sustained growth.

This position reports to the COO with six (6) direct reports

Job Definition / Characteristics :

The Vice President of Operations will be an achievement-oriented, demonstrated operations leader who is highly strategic and driven to attain positive results. This individual will be passionate about building, coaching, and developing a team, using effective goal setting, while evaluating and inspiring individual and team goals that promote an engaged culture; ensuring the company is poised for success and growth. The ideal candidate will be innovative, entrepreneurial and encourage new ways of looking at problems, processes, and solutions. With a high degree of adaptability, this position will create an environment that is flexible to changing business conditions to capitalize on opportunities; ensures needed information flows quickly and freely.

Summary of Key Responsibilities :

This position requires a dynamic leader who can drive operational excellence through effective warehouse and logistics management, the development of new locations, and the creation of efficient processes to support the company’s growth objectives. The successful leader will have a strong financial acumen with an understanding of P&L performance to optimize business objectives.

The Vice President of Operations will develop and implement operational strategies that encompass long-term vision, mid-term objectives, and short-term tactics to achieve business goals.
Modernize and implement efficiency strategies to support inventory control, equipment maintenance, asset tracking, and growing a multi-faceted distribution business.
Oversee the procurement and maintenance of warehouse assets (trucks, forklifts, cranes, etc.) to optimize operations.
Collaborate with the procurement team to enhance vendor relationships and the supply chain.
Lead the planning, design, and implementation of new warehouse facilities and locations, ensuring operational efficiency and alignment with company goals.
Streamline workflows and improve overall efficiency to ensure operational processes effectively support accurate and timely order fulfillment.
Partner closely with the Vice President of Purchasing to ensure seamless coordination between procurement and operations, with a shared focus on supply chain performance.
Direct and oversee the customer service department, fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, and responsiveness to ensure superior customer experience.
Conduct thorough assessments of existing workflows and operational systems to identify opportunities for improvement and scalability.
Define and implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure consistency and efficiency across all operational activities.
Develop annual operational budgets aligned with financial objectives and strategic priorities.
Allocate resources effectively across projects, locations, and teams to maximize ROI and achieve organizational goals.
Collaborate with cross-functional leaders, including sales, finance, and purchasing, to ensure operational strategies are integrated and aligned with business objectives and revenue goals are met.
Oversee day-to-day operational activities, including logistics, warehouse management, and process optimization, ensuring on-time and cost-effective delivery of services.
Monitor and evaluate operational performance metrics, driving continuous improvement and adopting industry best practices.

Leadership and Management :

Lead a dynamic operations team, providing guidance, mentorship, and support to foster professional growth, collaboration, and a culture of continuous improvement.

Collaborate with key stakeholders across the organization to gain buy-in for operational strategies, ensuring cross-functional alignment and synergy in achieving company objectives.

Establish and refine processes and workflows to streamline operational activities, improve efficiency, and enhance overall productivity.

Work closely with other departments, including sales, purchasing, and customer service, to effectively implement initiatives and promote teamwork across the organization.

Utilize strong analytical skills to evaluate operational data and translate insights into actionable strategies and recommendations.

Exhibit high levels of self-awareness, fostering open communication and feedback to build trust and accountability across teams.

Oversee and participate in site visits, facility openings, and relevant industry events to ensure operational excellence and stay informed on emerging trends and best practices.

The ideal candidate will have an entrepreneurial flair, passion for business and thrive in an action-packed growth fueled atmosphere of success.

The Requirements :

A strong sense of urgency and a proactive problem-solver with 10-15 years of operations management experience with a minimum of 5 years at the management level.

Proven track record of success in developing and executing strategic operations initiatives.

Demonstrated experience in multi-site warehousing, logistics, and expansion strategies.

Able to deliver results in a fast paced, high-growth, entrepreneurial culture, where the industry and environment are dynamic.

Charismatic overachiever who is dedicated, passionate, fun, organized and adaptable.

Strong work ethic; e.g. “hands-on” leader who must be able to “roll-up” their sleeves and work shoulder-to-shoulder with all levels of the company.

Exemplary interpersonal skills; the ability to establish and maintain rapport / trust with stakeholders at a variety of levels, both internal and external to the company.

Strategic thinker with a results-oriented mindset and a passion for driving innovation and continuous improvement.

Education :

Bachelor’s Degree is required, Degree in Business or Operations Management is desired.

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