SVP of Operations - CelLink

Senior Vice President of Operations

Position Summary

We’re looking for a hands-on, forward-thinking, and strategic Senior Vice President of Operations to lead and scale our growing operations during an exciting phase of expansion and innovation. This Senior Vice President of Operations is a direct report of the CEO and is a key executive leader responsible for overseeing and optimizing the company’s end-to-end operational functions as we diversify our customer base across a wide range of industries – from automotive and aerospace to data centers and beyond – this role will be critical in ensuring we deliver operational excellence at every step.

You will play a critical role in driving operational efficiency, maintaining high-quality standards, and fostering a culture of execution and continuous improvement. Your leadership will ensure we remain agile, efficient, and quality-driven as we continue to grow in a fast-paced, highly dynamic environment by optimizing the core operational functions – manufacturing, process engineering, planning, supply chain, new product introduction (NPI), and logistics – you will ensure cost-effective production that keeps our business running smoothly.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

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

• Partner with executive leadership to align operational strategies with company growth goals and financial targets. Develop and implement strategic plans to improve operational performance, scalability, and efficiency.
• Lead and provide technical expertise to operational departments including manufacturing, process engineering, planning, supply chain, NPI, and logistics. Mentor and develop department managers and leaders to drive accountability, data-driven decision making, and overall vision to all levels of the organization; work with department leaders to prioritize, develop and execute road maps in key performance areas (e.g. margin improvement, supply chain cost/diversification, new engineering capability) and mentor and develop high-performing teams and create succession plans for key roles withing operations.
• Work cross-functionally with Business Development, Product Design, and Engineering teams to formalize a product development framework; utilize this approach to prioritize resources for new market and product opportunities; work closely with senior leaders to align operational plans and achieve company objectives.
• Develop and utilize key metrics and KPIs to measure and drive continuous improvements to yield, cost, efficiency, output, OEE; identify and implement new technologies and processes to improve operational efficiency, CelLink’s growth, market goals, and reduce costs.
• Ensure that production goals are met while driving adherence to and maintaining high standards for product quality, safety, defined regulatory requirements, and customer satisfaction while driving continuous process improvements initiatives across the organization using Lead, Six Sigma, or other methodologies.
• Oversee inventory management, procurement, vendor relations, and demand planning to optimize the supply chain.
• Live the company culture of integrity, teamwork, execution orientation, self-discipline, customer focus, and professional competence. Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities):  

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.

Experience/Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering: M.S. preferred
• 10+ years manufacturing experience
• 7+ years of progressive experience in operations leadership roles, preferably in the automotive or manufacturing sectors
• Deep knowledge of supply chain management, lean manufacturing, and NPI processes.
• Demonstrated success in scaling operations, improving production efficiency, and reducing costs.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Strong leadership, relationship management, interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills: ability to motivate, inspire, manage and work cross-functionally, and influence at all levels of the organization.
• Utilizes thorough understanding of concepts and professional practices, including internal and/or external precedent to solve complex and diverse problems. Applies methodology of process improvement when applicable.
• Emphasizes data-driven practices (e.g. multivariate analysis, fishbone, 8D) to solve complex problems.
• Established track record of implementing systems to prioritize projects based upon return-on-investment, impact on key performance metrics, and impact to the broader organization.
• Solid working knowledge of budgeting, sales, business development, and strategic planning. Strong financial acumen and attention to detail, including direct experience managing manufacturing costs, budgets, and other metrics.
• Ability to work with ambiguity and adapt to changing requirements in a fast-paced start-up environment.
• Deep understanding of industry trends and emerging technologies.
• Demonstrated work ethic and leadership capabilities.