Job Details

As we execute our growth plan to commercialize our technology, so arises the need for a leader with accountability and responsibility for transitioning the operating environment from pre-production to a more structured and standardized production environment and prioritizing manufacturing and supply chain efforts to align with the company's goals. The Vice President of Product Operations will lead the effort to increase the reliability of our product. He or she will also interface with investors, partners and potential customers. The Vice President of Product Operations will report to the CEO and be responsible for manufacturing, supply chain, quality, safety and facilities. The factors critical to success in this role are:

• Ability to thrive in an entrepreneurial environment, including wearing multiple hats and operating without highly structured processes, with no task being too small or too large.
• Ability to understand short and long-term requirements and apply judgement in determining what changes and when, are warranted, so as to keep balance between short-term urgent needs without sacrificing long-term important objectives.
• Ability to understand the underlying product technology and end applications in the context of synchronizing teams (supply chain, manufacturing, test and quality) to meet critical program and field deployment requirements.
• Ability to be agile to make the necessary changes to the business as required.

Responsibilities:

• Transition our operations from pre-production to production. Establish, manage and execute (as needed) the processes necessary to accomplish this transition in assembly, quality and supply chain management with the goal of 15 to 20 builds in 2026.
• Align supply chain and internal operations to better fit the E2E business model.
• Direct short-term and long-term planning and budget development to support strategic business goals.
• Focus the team on the purpose, keeping them informed and motivated
• Implement a solid and efficient operational capability complete with best practices, processes and procedures that enable capable support of substantial, sustainable and profitable business growth.
• After reaching a high quality stable production, optimize the product(s) for cost effectiveness, ease of manufacturing and assembly.
• Lead, manage, hire and retain human capital for operations. Be quick to adjust resource and capital equipment needs based on the needs of the business.
• Create annual company OKRs with fellow members of the executive team.
• Establish strategic plan and goals for areas of responsibility, direct daily operations and monitor progress.
• Interact with business development and marketing to better align all facets of the business based on both the current needs and long-term requirements.
• Own and optimize vendor evaluation and relationships, logistics, inventory, purchasing and planning. Leverage the ERP system to its full capacity to manage supply chain and manufacturing.
• Maintain a team culture that seeks and values the input of employees, holds people accountable for results and encourages successful performance.
• Responsible for safety and the safety-related training programs of the company.
• Responsible for quality and the quality-related training programs of the company.
• Prepare detailed analysis and communicate status reports on the business for executive and board meetings.
• Successful relocation of the business to a larger facility that meets the growth and business image requirements.
• As a member of the Leadership Team, keep the team informed of operational objectives and priorities and understand other divisions' objectives and priorities.

Skills sought:

• B.S. in Engineering, Science or other 4-year technical degree in a related discipline from an accredited institution.
• 10 years of experience in manufacturing operations with a leadership role in an organization focused on commercialization of complex engineered system and products.
• Experience transitioning a technology company's operations (preferably a startup) from prototyping to pre-production to volume production and developing the processes and the people needed to do so from the ground up.
• Experience with additive manufacturing prefered.
• A strong technical foundation, with knowledge of manufacturable design, technology maturation and integration, reliability improvements, manufacturing methods, process improvement programs, lean manufacturing and quality procedures.
• Knowledge of and experience with turbomachinery, high tolerance rotating equipment and/or high-speed rotational systems strongly preferred.
• Understanding of and operating experience with project-based, and production-based organizations.
• Drives results: Sets compelling goals and aggressive schedules for improvement in all facets of operations.
• Proven effective record of maintaining positive employee relations and high levels of employee motivation and productivity.
• Ability to lead, plan and manage rapid change as needed.
• Entrepreneurial, flexible, yet results-focused with a strong work ethic.
• Cable of critical thinking, multi-tasking and sound decision-making.
• High degree of intellectual curiosity, honesty and capability.
• Strong organizational, management and team building skills.
• Strong time management, prioritization and delegation skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including public speaking.
• Capable of managing individuals and teams through casual conversations and touchpoints vs. the need for constant formal meetings for alignment.

Intangibles sought:

• Global mindset & customer focus

• Initiative

• Enthusiasm-passion

• Integrity, commitment & honesty

Physical Demands:

• Travel up to 10% of the time