VP of Manufacturing Operations

THE COMPANY

Our client is a leading designer and manufacturer of high-quality upholstered furniture, recognized for its innovation, speed to market, and strong partnerships with top retailers across North America. With vertically integrated operations and a robust manufacturing footprint in Mexico and the United States, the company combines design excellence with operational agility to deliver customized, trend-driven solutions at scale. Known for its collaborative culture and commitment to continuous improvement, this industry leader offers a dynamic environment where leaders can drive impact, influence growth, and help shape the future of the home furnishings industry.

THE POSITION

Job Summary:

The Vice President of Manufacturing Operations is a pivotal leader tasked with transforming and scaling the company’s manufacturing footprint to support accelerated growth. This key member of the leadership team owns full operational accountability across production, planning, supply chain, quality, and engineering, driving world-class performance in cost, service, and delivery. The role requires a hands-on, results-oriented leader who can elevate operational capabilities, implement best-in-class processes, and lead change across a complex manufacturing environment. By aligning execution with strategy, this leader will build a culture of accountability, speed, and continuous improvement while positioning the organization for long-term operational excellence and competitive advantage. This role reports to the CEO and will preferably be based in San Diego, California, Los Angeles or Tijuana, Mexico.

Job Responsibilities:

• Defines and executes operational strategy aligned with the company’s long-term growth plans and financial targets
• Oversees six manufacturing sites (including 2 U.S. and 4 Mexico facilities)
• Optimize production capacity between U.S. and Mexico to meet business needs and product mix
• Manage cross-border production and shipping coordination, ensuring full compliance with IMMEX/maquiladora regulations, customs documentation, and U.S./Mexico trade policies
• Drives lean manufacturing, productivity, and throughput across upholstery, leather, wood, CNC, and custom production lines
• Ensures consistent product quality, timely delivery, and responsiveness to changing customer demands
• Leads supply chain strategy including procurement, vendor management, inventory optimization, and freight/logistics
• Leads the procurement, sourcing, warehousing, and logistics strategy, including supplier partnerships in multiple countries
• Improve lead times, inventory turns, and cost control through better forecasting and ERP utilization
• Partners with Product Development and Sales to align material planning and production to demand forecasts
• Leads continuous improvement initiatives including Lean, Six Sigma, and 5S to reduce costs and improve efficiency
• Establishes and monitors key performance indicators (KPIs) across manufacturing operations to support data-driven decisions
• Builds and mentors a strong leadership team of Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Scheduling/Planning, Quality, and Manufacturing Support functions (Continuous Improvement and Engineering)
• Promotes a high-performance culture that embraces accountability, teamwork, innovation, and employee development
• Oversee compliance with OSHA, EPA, Cal/OSHA, and STPS standards as applicable in both countries
• Champions lean manufacturing, 5S, Kaizen, and Six Sigma initiatives across all facilities
• Input and preparation of an annual budget and on-going forecasts for Manufacturing Operations functions
• Identifies and leads capital projects and automation initiatives that improve throughput and reduce waste
• Build leadership capability, succession planning, and employee engagement across sites.
• Develops and manages operational budgets and capital expenditures across both U.S. and Mexico operations

THE CANDIDATE

Qualifications (Experience/Skills/Education):

• Bachelor’s degree in operations, Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain, Business or similar.
• 15+ years of operational leadership in manufacturing with at least 5 years in an executive role (i.e., VP of Manufacturing Operations or Sr Director of Manufacturing Operations or similar), overseeing binational or global operations
• Experience managing maquiladora (IMMEX) operations and California-based manufacturing under strict regulatory frameworks
• Strong understanding of furniture manufacturing processes (upholstery, CNC, woodworking, assembly) a plus
• Strong knowledge of lean manufacturing, ERP systems, and quality control processes
• Lean Six Sigma certification is preferred
• Knowledge of Cross-Border Operational Strategy
• Experienced with Manufacturing Scalability & Flexibility
• Working knowledge of Trade and Regulatory Compliance (US/MX)
• Experience with Supply Chain Optimization
• Proven experience with Continuous Improvement & Cost Reduction
• Possess good Financial & Business Acumen
• Demonstrates aptitude for critical thinking and ability to utilize data in the advancement of functional and company objectives
• Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to travel up to 40% of time to multiple site locations in Mexico and U.S.
• Positive and professional demeanor anchored by integrity and respect for others.
• Ideal candidate will be inquisitive, curious, highly driven, resilient, and possess high emotional intelligence and good judgement.
• Bilingual in Spanish and English (professional proficiency).