VP of Operations

Vice President of Operations – Automotive Joint Venture (Mexico)

Location: Mexico

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer / Joint Venture Board

Industry: Automotive Manufacturing

About the Role

The Vice President of Operations will serve as the strategic and operational leader for a rapidly evolving automotive joint venture with five manufacturing plants across Mexico. This executive will drive operational excellence, lead major transformation initiatives, and ensure the organization delivers world-class performance in safety, quality, delivery, cost, and culture. The ideal candidate brings proven experience in operational turnaround, exceptional leadership, and the ability to communicate effectively across all levels of a global, matrixed organization.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership & Strategy

Provide strategic direction and hands-on leadership across all five manufacturing plants, ensuring alignment with corporate objectives and JV governance.

Develop and execute long-term operational strategies to improve productivity, quality, and cost competitiveness.

Lead large-scale transformation and turnaround initiatives to stabilize underperforming operations and drive sustainable improvements. Performance Management

Establish and monitor KPIs across plants, ensuring consistent performance in safety, OEE, scrap reduction, on-time delivery, and customer satisfaction.

Drive standardization of processes, systems, and best practices across all sites.

Implement lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, TPM, and continuous improvement methodologies to enhance operational efficiency. Leadership & Organizational Development

Build and mentor a high-performance operations leadership team, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and innovation.

Strengthen succession planning, workforce development, and talent management across the organization.

Inspire and motivate plant leaders and teams through transparent communication, clear expectations, and a people-first leadership approach. Communication & Stakeholder Management

Serve as a strong communicator and liaison between JV partners, executive leadership, plant teams, and external stakeholders.

Present operational results, risks, and improvement plans to the Board and senior leadership with clarity and confidence.

Foster a culture of open communication, cross-functional alignment, and effective information flow across sites and corporate functions. Operational Excellence & Compliance

Ensure full compliance with automotive industry standards (IATF 16949, ISO 14001, safety regulations, etc.).

Oversee capital investment planning, capacity expansion, and technology deployment across plants.

Reduce operational risks by strengthening safety culture, quality systems, and environmental compliance.

Qualifications & Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, or related field; MBA preferred.

15+ years of progressive experience in automotive manufacturing or related industries.

Proven track record of leading multi-plant operations in Mexico or similar environments.

Demonstrated success in operational turnaround, restructuring, and rapid performance improvement.

Strong leadership presence, ability to inspire teams, and exceptional communication skills.

Expertise in Lean, Six Sigma, and world-class manufacturing methodologies.

Bilingual English/Spanish strongly preferred.

Key Competencies

Transformational Leadership – Capable of leading organizations through change and driving cultural and behavioral shifts.

Strategic Communication – Clear, influential communicator able to engage shop floor employees and board-level executives.

Results-Driven Execution – Strong ownership mindset and ability to deliver measurable improvements under tight deadlines.

Problem Solving & Decision Making – Data-driven, analytical thinker with strong business judgment.

Collaboration & Influence – Works effectively across diverse teams, cultures, and JV partner organizations.