Global Search Network is hiring: Vice President of Manufacturing (Syracuse) in S

Job Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Engineering, Business, Operations Management, or related field; advanced degree preferred.
• 12+ years of progressive leadership in manufacturing, including full plant ownership.
• Experience leading new facility start-ups or major plant expansions.
• Extensive background in Food & Beverage or Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) manufacturing.
• Proven record of driving operational excellence using Lean, Six Sigma, or other structured continuous improvement systems.
• Demonstrated success leading large teams in high-speed, high-volume environments.
• Strong financial and business acumen, with the ability to translate operational strategies into measurable results.

Overview

As SVP of Manufacturing for a single, massive, state-of-the-art production facility, you will play a pivotal role in launching and scaling operations. This hands-on leader will establish operational systems, guide the plant through start-up, and ensure full-scale production excellence. The role demands someone who combines strategic thinking with active, on-the-floor leadership.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic & Operational Leadership

• Define and execute the plants manufacturing strategy in alignment with company goals.
• Lead all aspects of production, planning, and operational performance across safety, quality, cost, and delivery metrics.
• Ensure operational readiness, establishing infrastructure, people, and systems for a successful launch.

Start-Up & Scaling Execution

• Oversee plant commissioning and start-up, including hiring, training, SOP development, and line validation.
• Partner with cross-functional teams (Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, Finance, HR) to execute the start-up roadmap.
• Drive speed to performance while building a foundation for long-term scalability and efficiency.

Team Development & Culture Building

• Recruit, develop, and lead a high-performing team of directors, managers, supervisors, and front-line employees.
• Foster a culture centered on safety, accountability, continuous improvement, and empowerment.
• Lead by example, working alongside teams on the plant floor while setting clear expectations.

Continuous Improvement & Lean Execution

• Identify and implement best practices and Lean principles to drive efficiency, reduce waste, and improve product quality.
• Promote a data-driven environment using KPIs to measure performance and guide decisions.
• Lead CI projects focused on throughput, reliability, and cost control.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Supply Chain and Sales & Operations Planning to ensure capacity aligns with demand.
• Collaborate with Quality Assurance to establish rigorous standards and ensure regulatory and food safety compliance.
• Serve as the plants point of contact with corporate leadership on performance, initiatives, and alignment.