Role Overview for VP, Manufacturing Site Operations with a MedTech Company – Minneapolis, MN
JRG Partners is proud to represent a premier, rapidly growing medical technology company in their search for an exceptional Vice President of Manufacturing Site Operations. This is a pivotal executive leadership role based at their flagship manufacturing facility in the vibrant MedTech hub of Minneapolis, MN. Our client is a global leader in designing and manufacturing life-changing medical devices, renowned for their commitment to innovation, quality, and patient outcomes. This role is not just a job; it is an opportunity to be at the forefront of medical innovation, leading a large-scale operation that directly impacts the health and well-being of millions of people worldwide.
As the VP of Manufacturing Site Operations, you will serve as the senior executive leader for the entire Minneapolis facility. You will hold complete ownership of the site’s performance, strategy, and culture. Reporting directly to the Senior Vice President of Global Operations, you will be entrusted with developing and executing a multi-year strategic plan that aligns with the company’s ambitious growth objectives. This involves translating corporate goals into actionable site-level initiatives, driving operational excellence across all functions, and ensuring the highest standards of safety, quality, and regulatory compliance are not just met, but exceeded. You will be the face of the facility, responsible for fostering a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and collaboration. Your leadership will be instrumental in scaling operations, optimizing production processes, managing a significant P&L, and mentoring a world-class team of operational leaders. We are seeking a transformative leader who can balance strategic, long-term vision with pragmatic, hands-on execution to build a truly best-in-class manufacturing organization.
Key Responsibilities of VP, Manufacturing Site Operations with a MedTech Company – Minneapolis, MN
The VP of Manufacturing Site Operations will have a broad and impactful scope of responsibilities, encompassing all facets of the site’s activities. Success in this role requires a dynamic leader who is adept at managing complexity, inspiring teams, and delivering consistent results.
Strategic Leadership & Site Management
Develop and implement a comprehensive site-level strategy that supports corporate objectives for growth, profitability, and market leadership. You will be responsible for long-range capacity planning, technology roadmap development, and setting ambitious performance goals for the entire facility. This includes full P&L responsibility, requiring rigorous financial oversight and a data-driven approach to decision-making.
Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement
Champion a culture of continuous improvement by deploying Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and other operational excellence methodologies. You will lead initiatives to optimize workflow, reduce waste, improve product velocity, and enhance overall equipment effectiveness (OEE). This involves setting, tracking, and reporting on key performance indicators (KPIs) related to production, cost, delivery, and safety, and driving root-cause analysis for any deviations.
Quality & Regulatory Compliance
Uphold an unwavering commitment to quality. You will ensure the site operates in strict compliance with all applicable regulations and standards, including the FDA’s Quality System Regulation (QSR) 21 CFR Part 820, ISO 13485, and other international requirements. You will partner closely with the Quality Assurance leadership to foster a ‘quality-first’ mindset throughout the organization, successfully lead internal and external audits, and oversee the timely closure of any corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs).
Team Leadership & Talent Development
Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing, multi-disciplinary operations team, including directors and managers across Production, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Facilities. You will be responsible for organizational design, talent acquisition, performance management, and succession planning. Your leadership will be key to fostering an engaged, inclusive, and accountable culture where employees feel empowered and motivated to excel.
Financial & Budgetary Oversight
Develop and manage the site’s annual operating budget and capital expenditure (CapEx) plan. You will be accountable for achieving financial targets, driving cost-reduction initiatives without compromising quality or safety, and providing accurate forecasting and reporting to executive leadership. A deep understanding of cost accounting, variance analysis, and ROI calculation is essential.
New Product Introduction (NPI) & Technology Transfer
Collaborate seamlessly with R&D, Product Development, and Global Engineering teams to ensure the successful and efficient transfer of new products from design into full-scale, stable manufacturing. You will oversee process validation, equipment qualification, and scalability planning to meet launch timelines and quality standards.
Supply Chain & Materials Management
Provide executive oversight for the site’s end-to-end supply chain functions, including procurement, inventory management, warehousing, and logistics. You will work to optimize inventory levels, strengthen supplier relationships, mitigate supply chain risks, and ensure a continuous and cost-effective flow of materials to support production schedules.
Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE)
Act as the ultimate champion for a world-class safety culture. You will ensure the facility complies with all local, state, and federal safety and environmental regulations. Your role is to lead the implementation of proactive safety programs, drive towards a zero-incident workplace, and promote environmental sustainability throughout all site operations.
Requirements for the VP, Manufacturing Site Operations with a MedTech Company – Minneapolis, MN
The ideal candidate is a seasoned and strategic manufacturing executive with a proven track record of success in highly regulated environments. A combination of deep technical expertise, strong business acumen, and inspirational leadership is required.
Education
A Bachelor of Science degree in an Engineering discipline (e.g., Mechanical, Industrial, Biomedical) or a related technical field is required. An MBA or other advanced degree in Management or Operations is highly preferred.
Executive Experience
A minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in manufacturing operations, with at least 7 years in a senior site leadership role (e.g., Plant Manager, Director of Operations, Site GM) with full P&L responsibility for a large-scale facility.
Industry Expertise
Extensive experience within the medical device (MedTech) industry is mandatory. Candidates from closely related, highly regulated industries such as pharmaceuticals or biotechnology may be considered. Demonstrated, in-depth knowledge of cGMP, FDA QSR (21 CFR 820), and ISO 13485 is non-negotiable.
Operational Excellence Acumen
Proven expertise in implementing and sustaining Lean Manufacturing and/or Six Sigma principles. A certification as a Lean Expert or Six Sigma Black Belt is a significant asset. You must be able to demonstrate a history of achieving measurable improvements in efficiency, cost, and quality.
Leadership Skills
Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills are paramount. You must possess the ability to inspire, influence, and motivate a large and diverse organization. Proven experience in change management and cultural transformation is critical.
Financial Acumen
Strong command of financial principles, including budget development, P&L management, capital planning, and cost analysis. Must be able to articulate the financial impact of operational decisions to executive stakeholders.
Technical & Systems Proficiency
Solid understanding of modern manufacturing technologies, automation, and process engineering. Proficiency with large-scale ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle) and Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) is required.
Benefits & Perks Offered
Our client offers a highly competitive and comprehensive executive compensation and benefits package designed to attract and retain top-tier talent. This includes:
Executive Compensation
A highly competitive base salary complemented by a significant annual performance-based bonus.
Long-Term Incentives
A meaningful equity package (e.g., stock options, RSUs) that aligns your success with the long-term growth of the company.
Comprehensive Health & Wellness
Premium, low-deductible medical, dental, and vision insurance plans for you and your eligible dependents. The package also includes robust wellness programs, an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and other health-focused benefits.
Retirement Savings
A 401(k) retirement plan with a generous company match to help you plan for your future.
Relocation Support
A comprehensive relocation package is available for the selected candidate and their family.
Paid Time Off
A generous PTO policy, including vacation, sick leave, and paid company holidays, to support a healthy work-life balance.
Professional Development
A strong commitment to your professional growth with support for executive coaching, continuing education, and industry conference attendance.
How to Apply
If you are a visionary and results-driven manufacturing leader with the experience and passion to lead a world-class MedTech operation, we invite you to take the next step in your career. This is a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact on a mission-driven organization and the patients it serves.
JRG Partners is the exclusive search firm retained for this critical executive assignment. We are committed to a confidential and professional recruitment process. To express your interest and submit your application for consideration, please visit our practice area page. We look forward to connecting with you to discuss this exceptional opportunity in more detail. Learn more about our specialized expertise by visiting our Life Sciences & Healthcare Practice page to apply.
