Vice President of Operations (56883)

The pay range for this position is $150,000–$200,000 annually, which is approximately $72.12–$96.15 per hour

Position Summary

The Vice President of Operations, California, provides executive leadership across multiple California-based operating entities within the Industrial Refrigeration and Insulated Metal Panel (IMP) businesses. Operating within a matrixed structure, this role is responsible for operational performance, safety, compliance, financial results, and strategic growth across the state.

This leader will standardize processes, strengthen governance, and build scalable, compliant, high-performing operations. The VP partners closely with national division and functional leaders to align California execution with enterprise strategy, performance expectations, and growth objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Operational & Executive Leadership

• Lead operational performance across multiple California entities within industrial refrigeration and IMP businesses.
• Provide executive oversight for construction, manufacturing, installation, and service operations.
• Partner effectively within a matrix organization to align local execution with enterprise priorities and standards.
• Serve as the senior operational leader for California, with accountability for performance, risk management, and compliance.
• Influence shared resources and cross-functional teams to ensure alignment, accountability, and execution.

Process Standardization, Governance & Compliance

• Design, implement, and continuously improve standardized operating procedures across California operations.
• Establish governance frameworks, accountability measures, and performance review cadences.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations, including OSHA, IIAR, ASHRAE, labor laws, environmental requirements, licensing, and permitting.
• Partner with legal, HR, finance, safety, and risk management to ensure policies are current, enforced, and consistently applied.
• Oversee compliance monitoring, audit readiness, reporting, and corrective action planning to reduce operational and legal risk.
• Ensure contracts, insurance requirements, and risk mitigation practices are properly executed at the operational level.

Project & Service Execution

• Provide executive oversight of major industrial refrigeration projects, IMP installation operations, and service delivery.
• Ensure project controls, quality standards, documentation, and production planning are applied consistently.
• Act as the executive escalation point for complex operational, client, technical, or compliance-related issues.
• Promote strong collaboration between refrigeration and IMP teams to deliver integrated, high-quality solutions.

Financial Performance & Growth

• Partner with executive leadership and finance to develop budgets, forecasts, and performance targets for California operations.
• Drive results through cost control, productivity improvement, operational discipline, and resource optimization.
• Monitor financial performance and address variances, risks, and corrective actions proactively.
• Support margin improvement through standardization, efficiency, and execution excellence.
• Collaborate with business leaders to identify and execute growth opportunities across California, including expansion, cross-selling, and new market development.
• Provide operational input into pricing, delivery strategies, capital planning, and investment decisions.
• Support acquisition integration, operational due diligence, and post-acquisition improvement efforts.

Client, Safety & Culture Leadership

• Partner with sales, estimating, and business leaders to support strategic pursuits and major client relationships.
• Represent California operations in executive client meetings, negotiations, and industry forums.
• Champion a safety-first, compliance-driven culture across all operations.
• Promote accountability, leadership development, documentation discipline, and continuous improvement.
• Support succession planning and talent development in partnership with HR and company leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Business, or a related field required.
• 7+ years of senior operational leadership experience in industrial refrigeration, mechanical construction, manufacturing, or related industrial services.
• Proven success implementing enterprise-level processes, procedures, and governance frameworks.
• Strong experience with regulatory compliance, operational risk management, and California business operations.
• Demonstrated success operating within a matrix organization and influencing across functions.
• Technical understanding of industrial refrigeration systems and/or insulated metal panel manufacturing and installation.
• Strong financial, operational, and strategic business acumen.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

Core Competencies

Executive operational leadership

Financial performance and growth execution

Process improvement and operational governance

Matrix leadership and cross-functional influence

Regulatory compliance and risk management

Safety, quality, and operational excellence