Vice President - Operations

Wabtec Corporation is a leading global provider of equipment, systems, digital solutions and value-added services for freight and transit rail. Drawing on nearly four centuries of collective experience across Wabtec, GE Transportation and Faiveley Transport, the company has unmatched digital expertise, technological innovation, and world-class manufacturing and services, enabling the digital-rail-and-transit ecosystems. Wabtec is focused on performance that drives progress, creating transportation solutions that move and improve the world. Wabtec has approximately 27,000 employees in facilities throughout the world. Visit the company’s new website at: http://www.WabtecCorp.com.

It’s not just about your career… or your job title…it’s about who you are and the impact you are going to make on the world. Do you want to go into uncharted waters…do things that haven’t been done to make yours and someone else's life better? Wabtec has been doing that for decades and we will continue to do so! Through our people, leadership development, services, technology and scale, Wabtec delivers better outcomes for global customers by speaking the language of industry.

The Vice President of Operations will hold complete P/L responsibility for all of operations across the different business units.  They have full leadership responsibility for multiple site, currently three (3) manufacturing sites with  fulfillment and sourcing originations.   The Vice President of Operations will develop and lead the execution of an operations strategy across Nordco with a focus on Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) programs, Quality, On-Time Delivery, Innovation and Cost for our manufacturing facilities performance.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Execute.

  • Foster a customer-centric culture of quality, urgency, and accountability. Create aggressive but realistic plans to achieve goals, monitor progress vigilantly, learn and adapt. When plans fail, find alternative paths to win.

  • Implement appropriate operational mechanisms for communication and execution control.

  • Provide appropriate stewardship for expenses, investment priorities, and resource allocation.

• Run Operations like a Business.

  • Drive inventory to meet or exceed expected turns and cash flow expectations on quarterly basis.

  • Develop sourcing and fulfilment strategies to achieve business objectives

  • Develop a strategic approach to facilities optimization across the globe

  • Identify and cultivate the best cost alternatives for suppliers across the globe without compromising quality and on-time delivery objectives.

  • Deliver year over year cost take out goals to increase product margins

  • Proactively manage cost objectives on NPI

• Relentlessly nurture and advance company culture.

  • Create an atmosphere of positive morale, energy, problem solving, and getting stuff done.

  • Role model the company’s values and promote a world-class Environment, Health, and Safety environment.  Develop a comprehensive plan to reduce and eliminate workplace hazards, create a safety culture, and ensure safety and environmental compliance.

  • Create and nurture productive relationship with union(s) where they exist and use appropriate union avoidance techniques to prevent new Collective Bargaining Units from being formed.

• Innovate for growth.

  • Keep a relevant understanding of our customers, the market, the competition, and technology trends.

  • Develop appropriate quality systems to ensure that we exceed our customer expectations. 

  • Lead a wide variety of projects including the manufacturing aspect of new product introductions; the integration of acquisitions or partnerships; facility relocations or consolidations

  • Find ways to continuously improve our COGS with a focus on ensuring on-time customer delivery

• Challenge status quo and relentlessly pursue continuous improvement.

  • Be the Champion for continuous improvement across the organization.

  • Empower employees to simplify their work processes. Ensure energy is channeled towards the right activities to maximize productivity and achieve results.  

  • Develop, socialize, and foster a continuous improvement culture cross-functionally within the organization

  • Develop and provide training across all levels of the organization to advance our continuous improvement efforts

  • Implement processes and tools to facilitate ease of operations without adding cost

• Be a talent champion.

  • Create an environment that attracts top talent. Build bench strength. Develop and tap into individual and team strengths. Inspire the team to do great things.

  • Guide and assist team with career development and training.

• Actively manage, monitor, and communicate the health of the business.

  • Develop financial and operational health metrics / dashboards that reflect appropriate management of full Operations P&L responsibility and proactively communicate to Senior Leadership.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical field from an accredited university or college

• Master’s degree preferred

• Advanced lean manufacturing training preferred

Experience

• 10+ years of operations leadership experience required

• 10+ years of experience in low volume / high mix manufacturing preferred

• 5+ years of leading operations leadership teams

• 10+ years of lean manufacturing experience

• Prior experience managing in a union environment

Technical Skills

• Advanced problem-solving skills using proven methodologies

• Advanced understanding of Lean manufacturing, quality, and continuous improvement methodologies

• Strong financial acumen to include capital planning, budget management and developing appropriate performance indicators

Behavioral Attributes

• Must be able to work in a matrix organization across Wabtec

• Excellent leadership skills and proven ability to manage and mentor team.

• Advanced communication skills – relates well to people inside and outside the organization.

• Analytical, fact-based problem-solving approach.

• Customer orientation – commits to and enjoys providing exceptional service to internal and external customers.

• Excellent presentation and training skills

• Demonstrates the ability to connect with and relate to a diverse workforce

TRAVEL

• The ability to travel up to 50% of the time as applicable

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is primarily light duty and requires the ability to regularly lift and carry objects weighing up to 20 pounds. This position requires the ability to sit, stand and walk unassisted. Requires the use of hands and fingers to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is required to talk and hear. Normal correctable vision is required.

#LI-LV1

Wabtec Corporation is committed to taking on the world’s toughest challenges. In order to fulfill that commitment we rely on a culture of leadership, diversity and inclusiveness. We aim to employ the world’s brightest minds to help us create a limitless source of ideas and opportunities. We believe in hiring talented people of varied backgrounds, experiences and styles…people like you! Wabtec Corporation is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or expression, or protected Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.