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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team of 450, driving operational excellence and profitability across 12 production sites.
- Company: GWS Tool Group, part of Sandvik, excels in custom cutting tools with a service-focused approach.
- Benefits: Flexible location, extensive travel opportunities, and a chance to shape company culture.
- Why this job: Join us to make a meaningful impact and drive change in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in senior operations management, relevant degree, and experience in manufacturing required.
- Other info: Expect 50% travel to connect with teams and ensure alignment.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.
At GWS Tool Group, part of Sandvik, we’re seeking a VP of Operations – a high-impact role to elevate our operational performance, drive profitability and shape a culture of accountability and engagement across our organization. We offer a unique opportunity to lead from the front and shape the way we work, think and grow.
If you’re a bold, strategic leader ready to drive meaningful change, we want to hear from you. Apply now and take the next step in your career and help us deliver even greater value to our customers!
Some words about us
We\’re a North American company that specializes in making custom, standard, and modified standard cutting tools. Despite our large-scale resources, we maintain a small and service-focused approach.
Our \”Custom Comes Standard\” philosophy reflects how we provide value to the market – we\’re a one-stop shop for customized tooling needs, designing and manufacturing these tools in our various factories. We tailor our capacity to meet the unique requirements of our customers and their preferred partners, encouraging creative thinking because with GWS, the possibilities are virtually limitless.
Your mission
In this role, you lead a team of approximately 450 employees across a network of 12 production sites. You drive operational excellence, build a culture of accountability, and deliver improved financial performance – creating a more agile and responsive operations function that can adapt to fluctuating order volumes and shifting customer demands. By setting strategic goals and driving operational execution, you improve profitability and efficiency.
Key Responsibilities
Responsible for the development and oversight of operational systems, processes, and policies in support of the organizational strategy.
Plays a significant role in long-term planning including initiatives geared toward operational excellence at each of the sites for which they carry responsibility.
Ensures Lean activities address total cycle time reductions, improved throughput, and improved flow.
Implement manufacturing strategies and action plans to ensure that the facility sets and monitors Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
Coordinates planning and logistics teams to ensure optimal use of capital and manufacturing resources within the supply chain.
Reviews & coordinates manufacturing activities to ensure the quality of products meets or exceeds customer requirements.
Develops and implements budgets for manufacturing locations per defined targets.
Implements changes to organizational structure and production locations to improve lead times and improve the efficiency of operations.
Drives initiatives in their management teams to contribute to long-term operational excellence.
Collaborate across all business areas to drive profitable growth as well as innovate new product development
Assists and coaches the site managers in lean manufacturing concepts as a way to promote improvements and change within the workshops.
Develops and maintains a results-oriented culture and highly motivated team with strong flexibility and resilience.
Ensure that business is conducted in accordance with the Sandvik Code of Conduct.
Continually improves safety record by addressing both physical safety issues & employee safety attitudes
Required Skills/Abilities:
Relevant Degree in Manufacturing, Production, or Industrial Engineering and/or equivalent combination of education and experience
Minimum 10 years of experience in senior operations management in the engineering industry in the field of manufacturing.
Multi-site production management experience strongly preferred
Past P&L responsibility within an industrial setting
Strong knowledge & experience in cutting tools or adjacent field required
High level of business acumen, business relations, and project management
Ability to promote teams in advancing processes in production, talent to build a climate that supports excellent performance
Knowledge in leading and implementing change projects that have an important impact on work and the organization
The location for this position is flexible in the U.S. Extensive travel, 50% is included in the job to stay connected to your teams, ensuring alignment, engagement, and execution at every level.
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Vice President of Operations employer: Sandvik Group
Contact Detail:
Sandvik Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Vice President of Operations
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the manufacturing and operations sectors. Attend industry conferences or local meetups to connect with individuals who may have insights into GWS Tool Group or similar companies. Building these relationships can provide you with valuable information and potentially a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Research GWS Tool Group's current operational strategies and recent initiatives. Understanding their 'Custom Comes Standard' philosophy will allow you to tailor your discussions during interviews, showcasing how your experience aligns with their goals and culture.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've driven operational excellence in previous roles. Highlight your experience with Lean methodologies and how you've successfully implemented changes that improved efficiency and profitability in multi-site environments.
✨Tip Number 4
Demonstrate your leadership style by sharing how you've built motivated teams in the past. Be ready to explain how you foster a culture of accountability and engagement, as this is crucial for the VP of Operations role at GWS Tool Group.
We think you need these skills to ace Vice President of Operations
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in operations management, particularly in manufacturing and multi-site production. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to drive operational excellence and profitability.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for the role and the company. Discuss how your leadership style aligns with their culture of accountability and engagement, and provide examples of how you've successfully led teams through change.
Highlight Relevant Skills: Emphasise your skills in Lean manufacturing, project management, and financial oversight. Mention any experience you have with KPIs and how you've used them to improve operational performance in previous roles.
Showcase Your Strategic Vision: Demonstrate your strategic thinking by outlining how you would approach the role. Discuss your vision for driving profitability and efficiency, and how you plan to foster a results-oriented culture within the team.
How to prepare for a job interview at Sandvik Group
✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience
As a VP of Operations, your leadership skills are crucial. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've led teams, driven operational excellence, and implemented change in previous roles. Highlight your ability to build a culture of accountability and engagement.
✨Demonstrate Strategic Thinking
This role requires a strategic mindset. Prepare to talk about how you've set and achieved long-term goals in past positions. Discuss your experience with developing operational systems and processes that align with organisational strategy.
✨Understand Lean Manufacturing Principles
Given the emphasis on Lean activities, be ready to explain your knowledge and experience with Lean manufacturing concepts. Share examples of how you've successfully reduced cycle times and improved throughput in your previous roles.
✨Prepare for Questions on Financial Acumen
With P&L responsibility being a key aspect of this role, expect questions about your financial management experience. Be ready to discuss how you've developed and managed budgets, as well as how you've driven profitability and efficiency in operations.
