Vice President of Operations, Celgard

Asahi Kasei•Charlotte, NC

27d•Onsite

About The Position

Celgard is seeking a Vice President of Operations to lead global manufacturing strategy and execution, ensuring cost-effective, high-quality production and continuous improvement across the company. The role provides strategic leadership for global operations spanning three manufacturing plants, division engineering, and quality, with responsibility for safety, quality, output, cost performance, strategic growth, and operational excellence. Reporting directly to the President of Celgard, the Vice President leads direct reports across plants and operations functions and works to secure organizational commitment to company strategies. The position guides plants and operations functions in executing Celgard’s strategy, advancing lean implementation, optimization projects, and operational discipline. It also supports the introduction of new operational capabilities and business models while improving the cost structure and efficiency of the existing production portfolio. As a member of Celgard’s global leadership team, the role collaborates across functions to support transformation, agility, accountability, and results-oriented practices. The Vice President also engages with the China joint venture, bringing practices and insights to U.S. plant operations and providing resources and support to the joint venture. The role is based at Celgard’s Charlotte corporate office and includes work in manufacturing plant environments around chemicals. Travel of approximately 30% domestically and internationally is required. Celgard’s manufacturing sites are IATF 16949 and ISO 9001 certified.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required; an engineering or related field is preferred.
At least 15 years of manufacturing leadership experience, including plant leadership and plant expansions.
Experience leading engineering and quality.
At least 5 years of multi-site oversight experience.
Strong operational, financial, and strategic planning skills.
Expertise in Lean Six Sigma or similar methodologies, with the ability to drive actions into detail and lead change and complex projects.
Demonstrated record of cost reduction, quality improvement, and operational excellence.
Experience developing high-performing leaders and teams and delivering organizational goals and objectives.
Ability to lead and manage effectively in a fast-paced, high-growth, complex organization with global operations and relationships.
Experience creating an engaged and aligned workplace and an accountable, performance-based culture.
Previous change-management experience and excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
Strong financial acumen.
Ability to contribute productively and collaboratively as an executive team member.
Evidence of developing talent and leading an organization to excellence.
Ability and willingness to travel approximately 30% domestically and abroad.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.
At least 5 years of global experience is strongly preferred.
Degree in engineering or a related field.

Responsibilities

Provide leadership and vision to global operations teams, communicating strategy and building an accountable, results-focused culture that supports employee engagement.
Develop and execute manufacturing strategies, including capability building and footprint optimization.
Oversee forecasting, planning, and production across the Celgard business, including processes from order to cash generation and direct contact with suppliers and customers.
Lead continuous improvement initiatives and implement lean, Six Sigma, or other methodologies to improve efficiency and quality.
Integrate cost control, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance into manufacturing processes.
Lead division engineering, including design, process optimization, and project execution to support production goals with minimal disruption.
Build and lead site leadership teams; develop plant managers and division engineering and quality leaders; and ensure strong EHS and regulatory compliance.
Oversee capital budgets, global project management, and implementation of global engineering projects, including installations.
Partner with R&D, supply chain/procurement, SMS and Marketing, sales, and finance.
Monitor and improve safety, quality, delivery, and cost metrics, and drive productivity from the shop floor.
Drive lean implementation, optimization projects, and operational discipline across Celgard while supporting new operational capabilities and business models.
Collaborate with other functions to advance transformation, agility, lean principles, accountability, and results-oriented practices.
Engage with Celgard’s China joint venture, transfer useful insights and practices to U.S. plant operations, and provide resources and support to the joint venture.
Travel approximately 30% domestically and internationally.