Vice President of Operations

Swagelok Northern California•Fremont, CA

8d•$218,086 - $327,129•Onsite

About The Position

The Vice President of Operations builds and leads the operational capabilities needed to execute the company’s strategic priorities. The role integrates Assembly, Warehouse Operations, Planning & Scheduling, and Estimating to safely deliver quality products, respond to customer demand, and support profitable growth through disciplined execution, continuous improvement, and proactive capacity planning. Success is measured by sustained improvement in operational reliability and process maturity, including On-Time-to-Need-Date (OTND) performance, a strengthening quality management system, and year-over-year growth in leadership capability. The role is expected to identify improvement opportunities early and respond quickly. The Vice President oversees Estimating and Planning, Assembly Services Production, Manufacturing Engineering, and Warehouse Operations through subordinate leaders. Responsibilities include translating strategy into operational roadmaps, owning the Operations Quality Management System, leading capacity planning and workforce development, partnering with HR on performance and succession programs, and supervising associates and department operations. This is an on-site position at the Fremont office, Monday through Friday. Occasional overnight travel may be required for company and industry meetings, supplier and customer visits, and training. The position involves office and business-system work, communication with internal and external stakeholders, and occasional movement through production and warehouse areas. It may require lifting and carrying up to 25 pounds; safety glasses are required in production and warehouse areas, where noise levels are moderate. Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Logistics, Engineering, or a related field.
At least 10 years of progressive operations or industry-related experience.
At least 5 years leading multiple functions or teams through subordinate supervisors or managers.
Demonstrated P&L, budget, or capacity-planning accountability.
Operational leadership across multiple functions through subordinate leaders, delivering safe, high-quality, on-time output.
Ability to translate strategy into operational roadmaps, capacity plans, measurable milestones, and completed execution.
Knowledge of quality management system principles and Lean or continuous improvement methods.
Problem-solving skills, including early issue identification, structured root cause analysis, and corrective action follow-through.
Financial and business acumen, including budget management and resource decisions that improve margin and reduce cost to serve.
Ability to analyze operational metrics, including OTND, capacity, and escalation data, and use them to set priorities and measure results.
Clear verbal and written communication with executives, associates, customers, and suppliers.
Ability to develop talent, leadership bench strength, and cross-trained teams through coaching, certification, and succession planning.
Proficiency with SAP Business One, QT9, and Microsoft Office Suite.
Ability to occasionally lift and carry up to 25 pounds.
Ability to meet the position’s on-site work requirements and occasionally travel, including overnight travel.

Nice To Haves

MBA.
Experience with quality management systems such as ISO 9001.
Experience with Lean, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies.

Responsibilities

Translate the strategic plan into a rolling operational roadmap with milestones, owners, and resourcing; promptly raise resourcing needs and emerging risks to the executive team.
Own the Operations Quality Management System, including documentation, capability enhancement, audit readiness, and continuous improvement; drive commitments to completion and escalate blockers.
Adapt operational plans and priorities to changes in circumstances, direction, strategy, and work environment.
Oversee Estimating and Planning, Assembly Services Production, Manufacturing Engineering, and Warehouse Operations through subordinate leaders.
Lead the direct labor workforce development program to build capability that meets customer needs and Swagelok quality standards.
Lead proactive capacity planning across Assembly, Warehouse, and Planning & Scheduling, aligning workforce, equipment, and certification coverage with current and forecasted demand.
Partner with HR to improve performance management, training, and succession planning programs for Operations.
Expand assembly technician certifications across disciplines to build a cross-trained workforce.
Identify high-potential associates and partner with HR on succession and leadership pipeline planning.
Interview, hire, onboard, train, coach, and mentor associates; support their technical capability, professional growth, and career development.
Maintain professional associate relationships through consistent communication, trust, responsiveness, fair policies, and conflict resolution.
Translate company goals and expectations for associates and resolve concerns through appropriate communication and escalation channels.
Oversee efficient daily department operations and align financial management, procurement, inventory control, and operational execution.
Conduct performance conversations, establish expectations, monitor performance, provide feedback and coaching, and document performance concerns; escalate unresolved concerns to the next-level supervisor and HR.
Support associate development through formal training, on-the-job learning, rotational assignments, and other development opportunities.
Administer associate operations, including workstation readiness, payroll coordination, vacation planning, training compliance, safety practices, and operational process control.
Participate in the leadership development program and model the stated leadership behaviors, including financial fluency, effective communication, essentialism, radical candor, vulnerability, intrinsic motivation, and servant leadership.
Travel occasionally, including overnight, for company and industry meetings, supplier and customer visits, and training.