VP Operations: Top Recruiters in Jacksonville, Florida
The Jacksonville Advanced Manufacturing Market
Jacksonville's manufacturing sector spans aerospace maintenance, specialty paper and cellulose products (Rayonier), medical device production (Vistakon), and financial services operations, with Boeing's large MRO facility being the region's flagship aerospace employer.
About This Role
The VP of Operations leads the integrated operations function spanning manufacturing, supply chain, logistics, and quality, with a focus on delivering customer orders on time, to specification, and at competitive cost. This executive drives operational KPI performance, manages cross-functional operational teams, and leads continuous improvement initiatives that drive bottom-line improvement.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead integrated operations function including production, warehousing, logistics, and customer service delivery
- Own OTIF (On-Time In-Full) delivery performance, operational cost productivity, and quality metrics
- Drive the S&OP process and manage the handoff between commercial demand signals and production planning
- Lead operational risk management including supply continuity, labor, and regulatory compliance risks
- Oversee ERP system utilization and drive adoption of digital operations planning tools
- Manage operational workforce of 300-3,000+ across direct production and functional support roles
- Lead continuous improvement Kaizen activities and Six Sigma projects to reduce cost and waste
- Partner with commercial team on customer escalations, capacity commitments, and new business win responses
- Lead operational due diligence and integration activities for M&A transactions
- Develop operational leadership talent through coaching, stretch assignments, and succession planning
Leading Employers in Jacksonville
The Advanced Manufacturing talent pool in Jacksonville is shaped by movement between these anchor employers and their tier-one supplier base:
Required Experience & Background
- 12+ years in manufacturing operations with at least 5 years in VP or senior director operations leadership
- Deep lean manufacturing and Six Sigma Black Belt or MBB credentials
- Experience with integrated S&OP and demand-supply planning in multi-product manufacturing environments
- Track record of significant OTIF improvement and operational cost productivity achievement
- Experience managing both union and non-union manufacturing workforces
- ERP expertise, ideally SAP S/4HANA or Oracle Cloud Manufacturing
Core Leadership Competencies
- Integrated Operations Leadership: Ability to align production, planning, logistics, and quality into a seamless delivery engine
- Customer Focus: Strong orientation toward OTIF and customer satisfaction as the ultimate operational metric
- Process Excellence: Deep knowledge of lean tools, Six Sigma, and operational excellence methodologies
- Digital Operations: Familiarity with MES, advanced planning systems, and Industry 4.0 technologies
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Skill in aligning manufacturing, supply chain, commercial, and finance stakeholders
Regulatory & Compliance Context
VP Operations roles require compliance with ISO 9001 quality management standards, OSHA safety regulations, and applicable environmental permits. Consumer product manufacturers must comply with FDA regulations where applicable. Export-controlled products require ITAR or EAR compliance in operations, shipping documentation, and workforce access controls.
Compensation Benchmarks for Jacksonville, FL
Nexoval Search Partners' Approach in Jacksonville
Nexoval Search Partners's dedicated Advanced Manufacturing practice maintains active relationships with the executive talent community across Jacksonville and the broader Florida market. Our consultants conduct thorough market mapping of available passive and active candidates across the region's leading employers, from established industry leaders to innovative growth companies. Every engagement includes confidential outreach, rigorous competency-based assessment, and candidate presentation within 45 to 60 days of engagement launch. Nexoval Search Partners's retained search model and one-year replacement guarantee ensure every executive we place in Jacksonville, Florida delivers long-term organizational value.