VP of Operations

VP of Operations (Open)

Location:

Independence, OH

The Vice President of Operations provides overarching strategic leadership and executive oversight for all operational, production, facility, and distribution activities across the Great Lakes region. This critical leadership role is responsible for driving continuous improvement, managing large-scale capital expenditure (Cap Ex) processes, budgeting, and ensuring everyday regional activities run safely, smoothly, and cost-effectively.

The VP of Operations directly champions a world‑class safety and compliance culture, implementing robust industrial programs to protect our associates while strictly aligning with all company procedural updates and regulatory frameworks.

• Comprehensive Family Benefits: Airgas offers a full benefits package designed to support your whole life, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D, and Disability Insurance.
• Support for Parents: We offer up to 14-week paid child birth benefits to support growing families.
• Future Security: 401(k) Retirement Plan with company match, Tuition Assistance, Paid Holidays, Vacation, and Sick time.
• Early Access: Your benefits start after just 30 days of employment.

• Defines and executes the regional operational strategy, establishing clear safety guidelines, optimal organizational structures, and robust risk‑monitoring frameworks to achieve business growth.
• Optimizes industrial resources across the region, focusing on leadership development, team competency, and the strategic tracking of capital investments.
• Manage and navigate 50% to 75% regional travel across the territory (primarily drivable) to maintain a strong operational presence across multi‑site production facilities.
• Monitors regional operational health utilizing performance dashboards, KPIs, and structured roadmap evaluations to drive continuous improvement.
• Oversees comprehensive industrial programs focused on process safety, facility reliability, maintenance excellence, and integrated IT/OT systems.
• Provides executive oversight and strategic support for the rollout of major capital expenditures and regional industrial projects.

Jeff Starr /  /

• University degree in engineering, chemistry, administration, etc.
• 15+ years of progressive management or technical leadership experience operating complex industrial manufacturing, production, or distribution sites.
• Working knowledge of basic finance and accounting principles, including capital investment calculations, P&L management, and operational financial KPIs.
• Ability and willingness to travel 50% to 75% within the regional territory.

• Prior industrial gas industry experience.

We are an equal opportunity employer. We welcome all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.

Airgas, an Air Liquide Company is a Government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Airgas does not discriminate against qualified applicants with disabilities, and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to the known disabilities of such individuals so as to ensure equal access to benefits and privileges of employment. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation as part of the employment selection process, please contact us by email at us-ac

California Privacy Notice