Vice President of Manufacturing, Protein

Vice President of Manufacturing, ProteinAbout the CompanyLeading protein manufacturer with multi-site operations and growth plans.IndustryFood ProductionTypePrivately HeldAbout the RoleThe Company is seeking a Vice President of Manufacturing with a strong background in high-volume food or protein manufacturing environments. This senior executive role is pivotal in providing strategic and operational leadership across the organization's manufacturing network. The successful candidate will be responsible for driving manufacturing strategy, operational excellence, safety, quality, productivity, and profitability.Key responsibilities include developing and executing manufacturing strategy, providing executive leadership for plant operations, and leading a network of Plant Managers and senior manufacturing leaders. The role also involves establishing and maintaining high standards of food safety, quality, and regulatory compliance, as well as leading continuous improvement initiatives and overseeing long-term capacity planning and technology investments.The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field, with an MBA or advanced degree preferred, and at least 15 years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience. A proven track record in improving manufacturing performance, strong financial acumen, and a deep understanding of operational excellence methodologies such as Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and TPM are essential.The role requires a leader with exceptional strategic thinking, communication, and negotiation skills, who can balance strategic priorities with hands-on operational execution. Experience in leading through periods of growth, transformation, or change, and a strong background in food safety and regulatory requirements, particularly USDA, HACCP, and GMP, are highly advantageous.Hiring Manager TitlePresidentFunctionsOperations