Vice President, Operations

Every day, MTI Motion associates around the world set the future in motion by solving our customers’ most vexing motion-control challenges. Serving various industries including commercial aerospace, defense, oil and gas, and transportation, MTI Motion designs and manufactures an innovative portfolio of custom, precision motion-control products and solutions, including high-performance motors, motor components, windings, assemblies, gears and ball screws.

We’re committed to promoting a collaborative team environment that focuses on accountability, honesty and integrity to ensure customer satisfaction. We take pride in the work we perform and are committed to continuous improvement. In addition to offering a competitive benefits package, we strive to offer our employees opportunities to achieve career advancement.

MTI Motion is a wholly owned operating company within the Steel Partners (NYSE: SPLP) family of companies and is headquartered in Pleasant Prairie, WI, with facilities worldwide.

Position Overview

The Vice President of Operations is responsible for leading and optimizing all aspects of MTI’s manufacturing operations through strategy deployment. This role drives a culture of Kaizen and Lean principles, ensuring continuous improvement in safety, quality, efficiency, and cost reduction. The VP of Operations will balance scaling production, operational efficiency, and digital transformation to support MTI’s growth objectives. This leader will also play a critical role in succession planning, employee engagement, and leadership development to build a high-performing operations team.

The successful candidate will lead, engage, and develop the Operations and Supply Chain functions and is responsible for developing and implementing related strategies and activities to support the delivery of the company’s commitments. As part of the Senior Leadership Team, this individual deploys HR policies and initiatives to enhance overall company performance; and to create a culture of continuous improvement. The VP of Operation inspires shared vision, enables others to act, develops personnel, & models our core values.

Essential Job Functions

Safety & Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure a safety-first culture by embedding safety as a core operational value.
• Maintain full compliance with OSHA, environmental, and industry regulations.
• Drive proactive safety initiatives and lead incident prevention strategies
  
  

Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement

• Lead and implement Lean Manufacturing and 5S initiatives to drive efficiency and waste reduction.
• Champion Kaizen methodologies, engaging frontline employees to foster a culture of continuous improvement.
• Inventory management to improve operational performance.
• Ensure on-time delivery performance aligns with customer expectations.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to refine SIOP (Sales, Inventory, and Operations Planning) processes.
  
  

Leadership & Culture Development

• Engage directly with the production floor to cultivate a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous learning.
• Support HR with leadership development and succession planning programs to strengthen the operations team.
• Promote employee engagement initiatives that drive retention and job satisfaction.
• Model MTI’s core values of Teamwork, Respect, Integrity, Commitment and Innovation.
  
  

Quality Management

• In conjunction with the Quality Team, maintain and continuously improve the quality management system in compliance with AS9100 and Customer requirements.
• Ensure that products are manufactured according to quality standards and specifications.
  
  

Technology & Digital Transformation

• Heavily support Manufacturing ERP & MRP Systems
• Implement data-driven decision-making to enhance operational efficiency.
• Partner with IT and Engineering teams to modernize automation and workflow processes.
  
  

Financial & Cost Optimization

• Drive cost reduction initiatives through Kaizen projects and process improvements.
• Optimize working capital by improving inventory turns and cash flow.
• Ensure CAPEX investments align with strategic goals for efficiency and scalability.
  
  

Additional Leadership Responsibilities

• Supports company agenda by participating in meetings and activities, participating in customer visits and audits, contributing to team efforts, and providing additional support to Company, as necessary to meet departmental and corporate needs.
• Maintains company reputation and improves company profile in desired markets by participating in various trade/industry groups; by promoting MTI as experts in industry; by complying with government regulation, preserving proprietary information, and by representing the Company in a professional manner.
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by enhancing leadership and technical skills.
  
  

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Shipments & EBITDA
• Safety Performance (Incident rates, Near misses)
• Quality (PPM & COPQ)
• On-Time Delivery (OTD)
• Past due
• Productivity (Year over Year Cost reductions)
• Inventory (Turns and Dollar Reductions)
• Succession Planning / Talent Development
  
  

Requirements

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS & PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Knowledge, Skill, And Abilities

• Strategic Thinker: Ability to balance long-term vision with day-to-day execution.
• Effectively Communicates: Actively engages with employees at all levels, especially on the production floor.
• Data-Driven Decision Maker: Uses metrics and analytics to guide improvements.
• Collaborative & Transparent: Works cross-functionally to align goals and initiatives.
• Innovative & Tech-Savvy: Embraces technology to drive operational efficiency.
  
  

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field (MBA preferred).
• Ten (10) years of operations leadership experience in a highly engineered manufacturing environment.
• High Mix Low Volume manufacturing
• Multi-Site experience including Mexico
• Proven record of delivering results in a highly engineered manufacturing environment.
• Proven expertise in Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, and continuous improvement.
• Track record of developing high-performing teams and fostering leadership growth.
• Deep experience in safety leadership and regulatory compliance.
  
  

Please note: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.