Vice President Operations Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

If you’re looking for a special place to build or grow your career, you’ve found it. Whether you’re an experienced professional, a recent college graduate or somewhere in between, IDEX is a place where you can apply your existing skills and learn new ones in an environment where you can make an impact.

With interesting opportunities in engineering, marketing, sales, supply chain, operations, HR, finance, and more across more than 40 diverse businesses (https://www.idexcorp.com/our-businesses/business-segments/) around the globe, chances are, we have something special for you.

Viking Pump, an IDEX business unit within the Severe Duty Flow Control (SDFC) platform, is a global leader in the design and manufacture of rotary positive displacement pumps used across a broad range of applications including chemicals, fuels, plastics, and food and beverage with the corporate headquarters in Cedar Falls, Iowa. We are seeking a Vice President of Operations to lead a team of over 250 employees by fostering an environment of empowerment, inclusion, and continuous improvement. Guided by our values of Trust, Team, and Excellence, this role will strive for excellence in areas related to Safety, Quality, Delivery and Cost through the effective use of 8020 and a servant leadership mindset. With a high degree of freedom within a disciplined framework, the VP Operations will ensure strategic goals are met that support our customer, financial and operational objectives. The ability to lead people, culture and engagement are key success factors. With a proven servant leadership style, the VP Operations is expected to attract, develop, motivate and lead a high‑performing team, while furthering a cohesive, collaborative culture and ensuring that the mission and core values of the company are upheld. This role reports to the Viking Pump General Manager.

• Being part of a strong company with a track record of performance & stock appreciation
• Operations teams are located in the US, Canada, Ireland and the UK. This position will provide direct leadership for the US operations and provide global support in a matrix leadership model for the UK, Ireland and Canada.
• The VP Operations position represents an opportunity for a skilled leader to have a substantial positive impact on the profitable future of an established company. In addition, the position is viewed as a possible point of succession to the President, and the successful leader will have ample growth opportunities across the IDEX family of businesses.

• Accountable for all aspects of Operations including Safety, Planning, Quality, Machining, Assembly, Shipping & Receiving, Continuous Improvement, Maintenance, Manufacturing Engineering, Supply Chain, Strategic Sourcing, and Foundry Operations.
• Ensure understanding of and support for Company strategy, core values and operational goals within areas of responsibility.
• Provide leadership in the development and execution of short and long term strategic functional objectives aligned with the overall company strategy and goals.
• Communicates the strategic direction of the organization and the operations function.
• Provide leadership to the Safety team to ensure all policies and procedures are followed throughout the organization. Work with a safety‑first attitude and mentality.
• Foster partnership and teamwork across departments/locations throughout the company.
• Facilitate the performance and talent management process for all direct reports including leadership effectiveness and career development opportunities.
• Develop a strong and deep talent pool to build bench strength for Viking Pump and prepare individuals for other opportunities within IDEX.
• Lead an 80/20‑based Continuous Process Improvement mindset and manufacturing culture. Utilize the principals and tools of operational excellence to reduce process complexity across the business.
• Ensure operations capabilities meet or exceed business requirements and support company growth objectives.
• Execute on annual cost savings initiatives from both a material and labor perspective.
• Develop both short and long‑term global sourcing strategies that meet delivery, cost, quality, growth, and working capital requirements.
• Review, analyze and drive internal performance measures. Specifically, define and drive improvement on KPI’s in the areas of safety, quality, delivery, cost and working capital. Direct root cause countermeasures when necessary.
• Work closely with the entire senior leadership team to gain an in-depth knowledge of the business’ end‑users, channels, products, applications and supply chain partners to fully understand what drives value and competitive advantage.
• Apply analytical skills to assess operational and financial data to identify opportunities and accurately assess impact to the organization.
• Partner with international locations to establish best practices and consistent operational processes and procedures.
• Work closely with strategic partners in Finance and Human Resources to develop a best‑in‑class operations function.

• Minimum of 12 years of progressive experience in industrial manufacturing, including 5 years of experience in a leader/management role with responsibility for manufacturing operations.
• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Operations Management or other related field. A master’s degree is preferred.
• Experience preferred in industrial engineered products manufacturing or durable goods manufacturing.
• Strong team leadership capabilities and communications skills; an ability to work with and influence a variety of different positions within an organization.
• Demonstrated servant leadership behaviors to influence and manage people/teams while creating followership with others.
• Strong collaboration and communications skills: Has an ability to work with and influence individuals at all levels, internally and externally; someone who can effectively communicate the vision, message, and rationale.
• Strategic Thinking and Agility: Sees the big picture, makes connections, and creates strategies to achieve the competitive advantage; Plays chess vs. checkers; Can see the possibilities, defines the map to get there, and translates actions into meaningful value
• Strong business and financial acumen with exceptional analytical skills.
• Critical Thinking and Decision Making: Demonstrated capacity for independent thought and critical thinking. Sound judgment guides calculated risks for long‑term value creation. Makes decisions with conviction.
• Drive for Results: A self‑starter who can manage multiple projects and activities end to end. Has the capability and willingness to “roll‑up” their sleeves to achieve results; will do so in a persistent and resilient way to work through obstacles.
• Ambiguity Tolerance: High tolerance for ambiguity and able to navigate in the gray. Can make forward progress without having the whole picture. Ability to work in an ambiguous role, defining the framework where it might not currently exist with the ability to learn and iterate over time.
• Low ego and a strong team player. Lives the IDEX Values of Trust, Team, and Excellence.

Based in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

While IDEX leaders are a diverse group of individuals with differing backgrounds, experiences, and personalities, we’ve found some attributes are prevalent across successful leaders at IDEX. Successful IDEX leaders are authentic, values/purpose‑driven, and dedicated to the pursuit of learning and growing self (and others). They tend to be self‑aware, naturally curious, and comfortable navigating ambiguity. They also possess a combination of intelligence and ambition balanced with humbleness and low ego. They believe in the impact of and role model servant leadership. They champion our values of trust, team, and excellence. Successful leaders at IDEX hold themselves and others accountable for achieving superior short and long‑term results by understanding the critical importance of exceptional talent and creating an inclusive and engaged culture.

Are you ready to join a different kind of company where our people, our culture, and our commitments are centered around providing trusted solutions that improve lives around the world?

IDEX is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IDEX gives consideration for employment to qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, creed, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other consideration or protected category made unlawful by federal, state or local laws.

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Job Family: Operations

Business Unit: Viking Pump