Vice President of Manufacturing

Vice President of Manufacturing

Rite-Hite is the global leader in the manufacture, sale, service and installation of loading dock equipment, vehicle restraints, high speed doors, high volume, low speed fans and much more – all design to improve industrial safety, security, productivity, design, environmental control, and energy consumption. As a fast-growing B2B industrial manufacturing company, we are looking for a Vice President of Manufacturing based out of our global corporate headquarters in Milwaukee, WI.

The Vice President of Manufacturing will lead and oversee the manufacturing operations across multiple global plants, ensuring alignment with the company’s strategic goals and delivering world-class performance in production, quality, safety, and efficiency. This role is responsible for developing and executing manufacturing strategies that drive operational excellence, continuous improvement, and scalability across the company’s global footprint. The VP of Manufacturing will work closely with cross-functional teams, including engineering, supply chain, and quality, to ensure seamless integration and high performance across all manufacturing sites.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

Strategic Leadership of Multi-Plant Operations:

• Lead and manage manufacturing operations across multiple global plants, ensuring consistency in operational excellence and adherence to company standards.
• Develop and implement a global manufacturing strategy that supports the company’s long-term growth objectives, improves operational efficiency, and drives cost savings.
• Ensure that each plant meets or exceeds its production targets, quality standards, and safety requirements, while maintaining cost efficiency.
• Monitor and evaluate key performance indicators (KPIs) across all facilities, identifying areas for improvement and implementing corrective actions as needed.

Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement:

• Champion continuous improvement initiatives using lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and other methodologies to enhance productivity, reduce waste, and improve overall plant efficiency.
• Lead cross-functional teams in process optimization efforts, identifying opportunities for automation, technology integration, and improved production workflows.
• Drive operational consistency and best practices across all manufacturing sites to ensure high-quality output, cost reduction, and increased efficiency.

Production Management & Capacity Planning:

• Oversee production planning and scheduling to ensure timely delivery of products, optimal capacity utilization, and alignment with demand forecasts.
• Collaborate with supply chain, procurement, and engineering teams to ensure material availability, reduce lead times, and optimize production capacity.
• Implement best practices in production management, resource allocation, and equipment maintenance to minimize downtime and maximize productivity.

Plant Safety & Compliance:

• Ensure a strong safety culture across all manufacturing plants, maintaining compliance with international, national, and local safety regulations.
• Develop and enforce safety policies, procedures, and training programs to minimize risks and ensure a safe working environment for all employees.
• Ensure compliance with environmental, health, and safety (EHS) regulations and standards, implementing corrective measures as necessary to mitigate potential risks.

Quality Assurance & Operational Consistency:

• Oversee quality assurance programs and ensure that all products meet the highest quality standards, complying with customer requirements and regulatory standards.
• Collaborate with the quality control and engineering teams to drive continuous improvement in product quality, root cause analysis, and corrective/preventive actions.
• Ensure operational consistency across all plants, implementing standardized processes, procedures, and best practices to maintain high performance.

Leadership & Team Development:

• Lead, mentor, and develop plant managers and other senior manufacturing leaders, fostering a culture of accountability, teamwork, and operational excellence.
• Set clear performance goals for manufacturing teams, providing regular feedback, coaching, and opportunities for professional development.
• Build a high-performing manufacturing organization, capable of meeting the company’s growth objectives and responding to evolving market demands.

Cost Management & Efficiency:

• Develop and manage the global manufacturing budget, ensuring cost control and the achievement of financial targets across all plants.
• Identify and implement cost-saving opportunities in labor, materials, energy consumption, and other operational areas.
• Collaborate with finance and supply chain teams to optimize operational spending and improve overall plant profitability.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement:

• Partner with engineering, product development, and supply chain teams to ensure smooth integration of new product launches, capacity expansions, and technology upgrades.
• Work closely with the executive team to align manufacturing strategies with broader business objectives and ensure support for growth initiatives.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for plant-related issues and escalation, communicating key manufacturing performance metrics and updates to senior leadership.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field (Master’s degree or MBA preferred).
• Minimum 15 years of experience in manufacturing operations, with at least 7 years in a senior leadership role overseeing multi-plant operations in a global environment.
• Proven track record of driving operational excellence, continuous improvement, and cost reduction in a high-volume manufacturing setting.
• Strong knowledge of lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and other process improvement methodologies.
• Experience in managing large-scale production operations, including capacity planning, resource allocation, and production scheduling.
• Excellent leadership and team development skills with experience managing geographically dispersed teams.
• Strong understanding of regulatory requirements and safety standards in manufacturing environments.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including engineering, supply chain, and quality.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in industries such as automotive, aerospace, electronics, or other high-volume, complex manufacturing environments.
• Six Sigma Black Belt or Lean certification.
• Familiarity with ERP systems, production management software, and data analytics tools.

KNOWLEDGE / SKILL REQUIREMENTS

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• Leadership: ability to inspire and motivate teams manage conflict and build strong relationships.
• Multi-plant operational management
• Strategic thinking: proficiency in developing long term strategies that align with business goals and industry trends.
• Financial Acumen: working knowledge budgeting, cost control and financial analysis to optimize operational costs.
• Problem Solving: strong analytical skills to identify issues, analyze data, and develop effective solutions quickly.
• Continuous improvement and lean manufacturing
• Communication: excellent verbal and written communication skills to collaborate with cross functional teams and stakeholders.
• Change Management: ability to lead organizational change and foster a culture of family and continuous improvement.

We Offer:

Rite-Hite provides a competitive base salary, bonus, full comprehensive benefits, 401K + match, profit sharing, and car allowance along with life and paid medical leave. Paid holidays, vacation, and up to five paid personal/sick days per year round out the package. If you are selected for an initial interview, you will receive a message from Rite-Hite’s “in-house” talent acquisition team. Interested applicants, please email resume to: mshaw@ritehite.com.

Rite-Hite is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer offering a drug free workplace for our customers and employees.