Chemical Engineering R&D Jobs in Madison, WI (NOW HIRING)

At Emmi Roth, we're passionate about creating exceptional cheeses. As a leader in the specialty cheese industry, we blend traditional craftsmanship with innovation. Our commitment to local sourcing and quality makes us a trusted brand in the food industry.
Joining Emmi Roth means becoming part of a team that values creativity, collaboration, and a shared dedication to excellence. You'll have the opportunity to work with some of the finest cheeses in the world while contributing to a company that prides itself on both heritage and progress. If you're passionate about food, craftsmanship, and making an impact, we'd love for you to be a part of our journey!
Summary
The Vice President of Operations serves as a core member of Emmi Roth's Executive Leadership Team, shaping and advancing the enterprise's operational agenda across all manufacturing sites. This role defines the long-term Operations vision, aligns enterprise strategy with operational priorities, and ensures sustained, world-class performance across safety, quality, service, cost, and sustainability.
Operating with full executive authority within established governance frameworks, the Vice President of Operations partners closely with the VP of Supply Chain to jointly steward end-to-end value chain outcomes, balancing performance, resilience, and growth.
Duties and Responsibilities
Executive Accountability & Scope
• Enterprise-wide accountability for operational outcomes across all manufacturing facilities, including safety, quality, service, productivity, cost, and ESG outcomes
• Strategic leadership of the Operations function, establishing strategic direction, enterprise priorities, and performance frameworks that enable long-term success
• Oversight of manufacturing, production, employee safety, food safety, maintenance, engineering, R& D and operational excellence capabilities, with full decision authority across these domains
• Ownership of the Operations P&L, including financial performance, capital allocation, and long-range investment strategy, with authority to direct resources within approved plans
• Definition and advancement of a multi-year Operations strategy aligned with Emmi Roth and Emmi Group objectives
• Enterprise accountability for compliance, risk management, and governance across food safety, quality, regulatory, environmental, and employee safety standards
• Strategic partnership with the VP of Supply Chain to co-own value chain performance, aligning trade-offs and outcomes across service, cost, inventory, and supply continuity
• Leadership of organizational capability, including leadership and development, succession planning, and leadership pipeline development within Operations
Executive Leadership and Responsibilities
• Active contributor to enterprise strategy and decision-making as a member of the Executive Leadership Team
• Drives and owns organizational design and functional maturity, ensuring the Operations organization evolves in line with business growth and complexity
• Strategic liaison with Emmi Group Supply Chain leadership, ensuring alignment, transparency, and global integration
• Executive sponsor of capital strategy, manufacturing network evolution, automation, and digital transformation initiatives, with authority aligned to enterprise investment governance
• Executive representative of Operations with internal and external stakeholders, reinforcing credibility, influence, and enterprise alignment
Strategic & Operational Leadership
• Translate enterprise strategy into integrated operational priorities, roadmaps, and measurable business outcomes
• Leverage data, insights, and forward-looking indicators to anticipate risk, identify opportunity, and guide enterprise-level decisions
• Champion enterprise initiatives, including continuous improvement, advanced manufacturing, automation, and productivity acceleration
• Establish and uphold enterprise-wide performance systems, ensuring transparency, rigor, and accountability at all levels
• Foster a culture grounded in safety, quality, ownership, accountability, and continuous improvement
• Provide leadership in navigating complex, cross-functional challenges, ensuring alignment and decisive, enterprise-level resolution
Qualifications
Required qualifications, skills, and experience for the job; education background, certifications, relevant work experience, technical skills, and soft skills.
• Degree in Business, Engineering, Supply Chain, or related discipline
• MBA or equivalent advanced degree preferred, or comparable experience
• Extensive senior leadership experience within Operations, preferably in complex manufacturing environments
• Demonstrated success within food manufacturing
• Proven accountability for operational P&L performance and capital investment strategy
• Track record of leading enterprise transformation and large-scale operational initiatives
• Fluency in English required; additional languages advantageous
Competency Profile
• Enterprise-oriented leader with the ability to balance strategic vision and operational depth
• Decisive, outcomes-focused leader with demonstrated ownership and accountability for outcomes in complex environments
• Collaborative value chain leader, adept at aligning cross-functional priorities and delivering integrated results
• Exceptional developer of talent, with a focus on leadership capability, succession, and organizational effectiveness
• High degree of leadership presence, emotional intelligence, and resilience, with the ability to influence at all levels
Benefits
• Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance
• Basic Life Insurance
• Voluntary Life Insurance
• Flexible spending accounts & Health Savings Accounts
• 401k Retirement Plan
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Vacation
• Employee Assistance Program
• Short term/Long term disability
• Volunteer time off (VTO)
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Pet insurance
The Best Cheese Moments are EMMI ROTH Moments!
Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled