VP of Operations, Exhibits, Midwest

Salary:	$150K-$200K + Relocation Assistance
Location:	Midwest
Type:	Full-Time On-Site
Position:	VP of Operations

This is a high standards exhibit manufacturing environment where craftsmanship, accountability, and follow through are the expectation. The team is growing and investing in the operation with one goal in mind: deliver exceptional work consistently, at scale, with a plant culture people are proud to be part of. This is the senior onsite operations leadership seat for the entire plant. You will own the full manufacturing engine: people, inventory, equipment, facility, and the operating system that ties it all together. The mandate is not simply to keep production moving. It is to build clarity, strengthen execution, and raise performance through structure, training, and continuous improvement. You will partner closely with the owner and cross functional leaders to ensure work moves cleanly from sales, design, and CAD into production, and out the door with confidence. The owner is looking for a leader who is present, steady, and respected on the floor. Someone who sets the pace, builds alignment, and develops leaders who can run with responsibility. The right VP creates an environment where expectations are clear, communication is direct, and people know what great looks like.

Why This Role

This is a rare opportunity to step into a true ownership seat without the politics or red tape that slows most operations down. You will have the authority to set the standard, the support to invest in the right systems and training, and the proximity to the work to see your impact immediately. If you’re a senior exhibit operations leader who wants to build an operation that runs clean, develops strong supervisors, and delivers at a level clients can feel, this role gives you the runway and backing to do it. Relocation assistance is available for the right leader who wants to plant roots, take the helm, and scale something meaningful.

Responsibilities

•  Lead and oversee all plant operations to ensure optimal use of equipment and consistent quality, building a clear operating rhythm across scheduling, staffing, and production flow
• Hire, coach, develop, and retain the team in alignment with company policies and best practices, building a strong bench of supervisors and leads with real ownership
• Review production schedules daily with leadership, planning staffing coverage, overtime, and shifts as needed while improving predictability in delivery
• Monitor job costing and production performance, partnering with supervisors to address variances and drive measurable improvements in efficiency, throughput, and cost control
• Provide long range planning for capacity and resources, including annual budgeting and forecasting to support growth without compromising standards
• Develop and sustain a training program to ensure the right headcount and the right skill levels for current work and future growth
• Improve workflow and handoff between sales, design, CAD, and production to increase clarity, reduce friction, and protect timelines
• Establish and monitor standards for safety, in house procedures, time on job, quality control, and cost management so quality is consistent and repeatable
• Monitor inventory levels and forecasting, helping establish minimums and reorder quantities for steady and peak demand
• Lead regular meetings that inform, align, and develop the team while keeping communication direct and expectations clear
• Oversee facility needs and ensure proper maintenance and care of equipment
• Recommend opportunities for outsourcing, automation, and new equipment to improve delivery and operational effectiveness
• Lead with professionalism, collaboration, and decisive judgement guided by company goals, staying close to the floor and present during critical execution windows

Requirement

• Minimum 10 years of exhibit and trade show manufacturing experience
• At least 5 years in a senior manufacturing operations leadership role
• Strong operational and business judgement with solid math aptitude
• Working knowledge of drawings, materials, and exhibit production realities
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
• Strong organization and prioritization in a deadline driven environment
• Clear, confident communication and a collaborative leadership style
• Continuous improvement mindset; Lean and Six Sigma experience strongly valued