VP of Operations

Napoleon•Barrie, ON

17d

About The Position

The Vice President, Operations is responsible for leading Napoleon’s manufacturing operations across Canada, Mexico, and China through a team of site and functional leaders, including the GM, Mexico; GM, China; Director, Operations Canada; and Director, Global Quality. Reporting to the President, this role ensures the manufacturing network operates safely, efficiently, and profitably while supporting growth plans and delivering strong quality, service, and cost performance. The VP, Operations translates sales demand, product mix, and business priorities into clear operating plans and leads the manufacturing network through a common operating system. This includes aligning plant leaders around shared goals and standards; owning KPIs, operating cadence, escalation, and problem‑solving discipline; and ensuring consistent execution and continuous improvement across all sites. This role also owns workforce and labour strategy across the manufacturing network, including labour planning, skills development, productivity improvement, and maintaining operational stability through demand changes and growth.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree in engineering or MBA preferred
10+ years of manufacturing leadership experience, including managing teams
Experience leading through plant managers, general managers, or senior site leaders in a multi‑site environment
Experience with regional or global manufacturing networks, ideally across North America and Asia
Strong understanding of quality systems and the role of quality in sustaining operational performance
Extensive experience with lean manufacturing and continuous improvement
Strong communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills
Proficient in MS Office and ERP systems
This role requires a credible, hands‑on operations leader with the energy, judgement, and people leadership capability to lead a multi‑site manufacturing organization. The successful candidate will engage directly with plant teams, lead confidently through country and functional heads, and raise operating discipline, accountability, and performance across Napoleon’s global operations.
Regular travel between facilities is required. A valid passport is required.

Responsibilities

Lead Napoleon’s manufacturing operations across Canada, Mexico, and China through site and functional leaders
Translate sales plans, demand outlook, and product mix into practical operating plans for capacity, labour, equipment, materials, and plant readiness
Own and continuously improve the manufacturing operating system across all sites, including KPIs, operating reviews, escalation processes, and disciplined problem‑solving
Drive performance across core metrics, including safety, quality, service, labour efficiency, productivity, scrap, inventory, downtime, OEE, and cost
Establish and maintain consistent operating discipline, performance management, reporting, and execution standards across sites
Lead and develop site and functional leaders to identify issues quickly, solve root causes, and sustain operational improvements
Provide strong operational leadership in partnership with Supply Chain to ensure effective S&OP execution, material availability, schedule adherence, inventory performance, and service commitments
Oversee global quality performance and quality systems, ensuring standards are maintained, and issues are resolved thoroughly and promptly
Lead manufacturing engineering, maintenance, and process improvement efforts to improve uptime, throughput, changeover, ergonomics, and overall plant performance
Lead capital planning and CAPEX execution, ensuring investments are well justified, prioritized, delivered on time, and produce measurable operational benefits
Drive waste reduction and cost improvement initiatives across labour, scrap, rework, downtime, conversion cost, and plant overhead
Ensure new product introductions, product changes, and volume ramps are operationally ready and executed with discipline and stability
Build leadership bench strength across operations through coaching, mentoring, and challenging leaders to raise performance and readiness
Ensure compliance with all safety, environmental, regulatory, and quality requirements
Partner with Finance on budgets, forecasts, productivity commitments, inventory management, and operational business cases
Lead operational change initiatives and performance turnarounds where required
Support the Company’s long‑term strategy by ensuring the manufacturing network can scale competitively, profitably, and consistently

Benefits

Comprehensive health, dental, vision, and life insurance coverage – 100% of premiums paid by the Company!
Long Term Disability Protection
Well-being support programs and virtual medical visits
Employee & Family Assistance Program for mental health and well-being (EAP)
Training Allowance and continuous learning opportunities and programs
Leadership development and mentorship programs
Clear pathways for advancement
Appreciation events, raffles, and team building activities
Napoleon Cares – A fund sponsored by Associates to help Associates in times of need
Competitive total compensation package, inclusive of bonus opportunity
Retirement savings plan with matching Company contributions (RRSP/DPSP)
Exclusive Associate discounts on our award-winning products