VP, Operations - U.S. Lubricants

POSITION SUMMARY

The VP, Operations–is responsible for the overall leadership, operational strategic direction and execution, and operational excellence of the US Lubricants business across the entire divisional footprint. This role oversees lubricant manufacturing, packaging operations, distribution, and financial performance at all sites and facilities, ensuring the business meets and exceeds profitability, growth, and market penetration goals. The VP, Operations drives innovation, operational efficiency, and customer satisfaction, while championing safety, quality, and sustainability in all packaging activities throughout the division.

Ideal locations for this role are Appleton or Waukesha, WI or Baltimore, MD. Travel to various locations throughout the US will also be required.

• Provide operational leadership and oversight for all Lubricants operations facilities, ensuring consistent standards, best practices, and performance across all locations.
• Develop and execute strategic plans to achieve business growth, market expansion, and financial objectives division-wide for US Lubricants Operational capabilities.
• Forecast resource and other budgetary needs and manage operations against those budget targets
• Oversee the performance of the operational P&Ls, ensuring alignment with the strategic plan and annual budget for all sites.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and operational excellence in operational systems across the division.
• Partner with sales and business development teams to ensure inventory availability, optimized delivery routes, and exceptional customer service standards.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key customers, suppliers, strategic partners, and regulatory agencies throughout all regions.
• Identify and prioritize opportunities for expansion of capabilities or right sizing locations as well as devising and overseeing different methods of supplying product to customers (direct, and indirect via strategic partners) considering the entire divisional footprint.
• Ensure compliance with all safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements relevant to packaging and lubricants at every facility.
• Mentor and develop direct reports, including site Operations Managers and other key leaders, with a focus on cross-site collaboration and talent development.
• Motivate and lead a high performing team; attract, recruit and retain key talent; provide mentoring and succession planning as a cornerstone to career development by communicating values, strategies, objectives, and accountabilities to ensure cooperation and teamwork
• Collaborate with Marketing, R&D, and other business units to drive product innovation and enhance customer value across the division.
• Champion sustainability initiatives and quality improvement efforts across all packaging operations and locations.
• Communicate organizational vision, strategies, and objectives clearly, promoting alignment, collaboration, and shared accountability across all levels.
• Represent the Lubricants business and Lubricants operations team in executive leadership forums and cross-functional projects, advocating for the needs and priorities of all sites.
• This role is critical to the success and growth of the Lubricants business and our operational sites and requires a strategic, hands‑on leader with a passion for operational excellence and customer satisfaction across the entire divisional footprint.
• The VP, Operations will play a key role in shaping the future of the business through innovation, market expansion, and continuous improvement at all sites.
• Cultivate U.S. Venture’s values while inspiring, empowering, recognizing, and guiding team members
• Live our values of High Performance, Caring Relationships, Strategic Foresight, and Entrepreneurial Spirit
• Find A Better Way by championing continuous improvement and quality control efforts to identify opportunities to innovate and improve efficiency, accuracy, and standardization
• Continuously learn and develop self professionally
• Support corporate efforts for safety, government compliance, and all other company policies & procedures
• Perform other related duties as required and assigned

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering, supply chain, or related field; advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in business management, with at least 5 years in packaging, manufacturing, or the lubricants industry.
• Demonstrated expertise in packaging…