Vice President of Manufacturing

Reports to:

CEO Department:
ManufacturingFLSA Classification:
Exempt Travel:
Up to 25%

JOB SUMMARY:

The Vice President of Manufacturing provides strategic and operational leadership across all Vibrant Works manufacturing sites. This role drives production excellence, quality, safety, cost performance, and scalable growth while advancing Vibrant Works’ mission as an Ability One-participating organization. The VP ensures disciplined production planning, strong internal controls, and continuous improvement across all facilities, while fostering an inclusive workforce that supports employment and advancement opportunities for individuals who are visually impaired.

The position maintains full accountability for manufacturing performance, operational efficiency, and alignment of output with organizational goals, financial targets, and mission impact.

JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic & Operational Leadership Develop and execute manufacturing strategies aligned with Vibrant Works’ mission, growth plans, and operational imperatives

Translate organizational strategy into actionable production goals, operational plans, and performance targets

Lead multi-site manufacturing operations with a focus on scalability, capacity planning, and continuous improvement

Evaluate opportunities for automation, modernization, and capability expansion

Support new product introduction, operational readiness, and cross-functional planning with Supply Chain, Procurement, and Finance Champion Vibrant Works’ values and foster an inclusive, mission-driven culture

Manufacturing Operations & Process Optimization Oversee daily production operations to ensure efficiency, quality, safety, and on-time delivery

Establish and enforce standardized operating procedures, production workflows, and equipment maintenance programs

Optimize staffing models, labor utilization, scheduling, and throughput to maximize productivity

Implement lean manufacturing and continuous improvement practices to reduce waste, rework, and variability

Monitor KPIs, conduct root cause analyses, and drive corrective action plans

Ensure facilities meet ISO, Aerospace, and regulatory standards across all locations

Financial Management & Performance Optimization Own manufacturing P&L performance, cost structure, and operational budgets

Forecast production needs, cost targets, labor requirements, and resource planning

Drive cost-reduction strategies without compromising quality or mission commitments

Monitor capacity utilization, cost per unit, margin drivers, and productivity metrics

Oversee capital investment planning, ROI evaluation, and financial justification for operational initiatives

Partner with Finance to ensure accurate cost accounting, inventory valuation, and margin reporting

Quality, Safety, Compliance & Risk Management Ensure a safe, compliant, and audit-ready manufacturing environment across all locations

Oversee quality systems, inspections, certifications, and corrective action processes

Maintain compliance with federal contracting and Ability One Program requirements, including labor-hour ratios and documentation

Lead risk mitigation strategies, operational controls, and internal audit remediation

Partner with HR and Compliance to ensure adherence to accessibility, labor, and safety standards

People Leadership, Workforce Development & Mission Impact Lead, coach, and develop plant managers, supervisors, and production teams

Build leadership succession plans and high-performance teams across manufacturing operations

Promote inclusive workforce practices and ensure accommodations for employees who are visually impaired

Collaborate with Mission Services and HR to build training programs, advancement pathways, and developmental opportunities

Drive employee engagement, retention, and accountability

Ensure balanced alignment between operational output and Vibrant Works’ mission to create meaningful employment opportunities

Demonstrate and embodies our values:
Be Limitless, Be Resilient, Be People Centered, Be a Team, and Be Trustworthy EDUCATION/

EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, or related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred
10–15+…