OverviewWe are seeking a Vice President of Operations to lead group-wide operational performance and execution for a manufacturer of ambulance and fire apparatus vehicles. This role will focus on driving operational excellence, real-time KPI visibility, and disciplined execution in a highly customized, mission-critical production environment.
The VP of Operations will partner closely with engineering, supply chain, and plant leadership to ensure vehicles are delivered on time, on budget, and in full compliance with industry standards. Manufacturing plants do not report into this role, requiring strong cross-functional alignment and influence.
What You'll DoDrive Operational Performance- Establish and lead a KPI-driven operating system with real-time dashboards across programs, functions, and sites.
- Improve key performance metrics, including but not limited to:
- On-time delivery (OTD) for ambulance and fire apparatus builds
- Build cycle time and schedule adherence
- Cost per unit and gross margin performance
- Quality, rework, and warranty/field defect rates
- Implement structured daily/weekly operating rhythms with clear accountability and escalation.
Lead Performance Improvement Initiatives- Identify and close performance gaps across custom, low-to-mid volume production environments.
- Drive root cause problem-solving for issues impacting delivery, quality, or cost.
- Partner with plant and functional leaders to improve throughput, reduce rework, and stabilize production schedules.
- Increase predictability in build timelines despite high product variability.
Enable Cross-Functional Execution- Align engineering, supply chain, and operations around shared KPIs and program milestones.
- Support new apparatus launches and customer-specific configurations, ensuring production readiness and smooth handoffs.
- Improve coordination between design changes, material availability, and production schedules.
Compliance & Quality Focus- Ensure alignment with applicable industry and regulatory standards.
- Strengthen quality systems to reduce defects, improve inspection outcomes, and minimize field issues.
- Drive accountability for documentation, testing, and certification processes.
Optimize Processes & Systems- Standardize core operational and program management processes across the business.
- Identify and eliminate bottlenecks across engineering release, material flow, and production readiness.
- Enhance ERP/MRP and digital tools to support real-time visibility into order status, materials, and production progress.
Support Strategic Growth- Contribute to capacity planning and scalability for growing demand in emergency vehicle markets.
- Support integration of new product lines or acquisitions, ensuring alignment to operating standards.
- Build a foundation for repeatable, predictable execution in a high-customization environment.
What You Bring- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations, Business, or related field (MBA preferred).
- 12-15+ years of leadership experience in specialty vehicle, fire apparatus, ambulance, or similar build-to-order manufacturing.
- Proven track record of delivering quantifiable improvements in cost, quality, and delivery metrics.
- Experience managing operations in highly customized, compliance-driven production environments.
- Strong background in KPI systems, performance management, and cross-functional leadership.
- Working knowledge of engineering and supply chain processes.
The pay scale for newly hired employees in this position at this location in California is <$206,250 or between $206,250 - $343,750> and in New York is <>. This is based on meeting all of the requirements of the role. The base pay offered for the role may vary depending on the candidate's job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. We are proud to offer competitive benefits in addition to competitive pay. Our pay for performance philosophy allows top performers to earn more based on their continued success.
This information applies to roles covered by New York and California's State's pay transparency law. Base pay information is based on market location and may differ in other locations.
