Vice President Operations, North America

About Us:

At BW Integrated Systems, we are at the forefront of the industry when it comes to designing and manufacturing cutting-edge solutions for end-of-line packaging equipment, labeling and converting, packaging automation, and systems integration. With a global presence encompassing nine manufacturing facilities and a team of over 800 experts, we are proud to be a trusted partner for our customers around the world, with installations spanning more than 50 countries. Our extensive range of products and service network offers innovative technology and unparalleled technical support for manufacturing companies operating in various global market segments. From food and beverage to pharmaceuticals, household goods, automotive, and more, we cater to diverse industries such as container manufacturing, wine and spirits, consumer product packaging, converting, paper, and beyond. With decades of experience, our packaging professionals excel in providing efficient solutions in areas such as robotic applications, packaging line design, integrated systems, palletizers and depalletizers, automated can-end and product-handling equipment, cartoning, case and tray packing and forming, as well as a wide range of labeling solutions including pressure sensitive, roll-fed, and shrink-sleeve options. Additionally, we specialize in converting and finishing solutions, advanced conveyance technology and controls, unwrappers, and destrappers.

Barry-Wehmiller is a diversified global supplier of engineering consulting and manufacturing technology for the packaging, corrugating, sheeting and paper-converting industries. By blending people-centric leadership with disciplined operational strategies and purpose-driven growth, Barry-Wehmiller has become a $3 billion organization with nearly 12,000 team members united by a common belief: to use the power of business to build a better world.

Job Description:

The Vice President, Operations - North America is a key senior executive responsible for full P&L ownership of North American operations, including new equipment and rebuilds. This leader drives execution across multiple sites and functions, ensuring alignment to growth objectives and strategic priorities while cultivating a high-performance, people-centered culture. Success in this role requires strong cross-functional collaboration to connect site and regional operations with broader product, commercial, and supply chain priorities-ensuring customer value remains central from strategy through delivery.

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, this role oversees a team of site and multi-site leaders and plays a central role in advancing operational consistency, performance, and long-term scalability. The role also includes collaboration with international operational leaders and Managing Directors to ensure consistency, shared learning, and coordinated execution across regions where appropriate. The VP supports all aspects of growth by ensuring tight alignment with product, commercial, operational, and supply chain strategies-delivering customer value, efficiency, and margin expansion.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic & Growth Alignment

• Own and lead P&L performance for all North American operations (New Equipment + Rebuilds)

• Align operations strategy to broader business growth plans through close collaboration with Product (CPMO), Commercial (CCO), Operational Strategy (VP, Operational Strategy), and Supply Chain (EVP, Finance & Supply Chain and BW Enterprise)

• Translate long-range strategic priorities into site-level execution roadmaps, investment plans, and performance targets

• Contribute to Packaging's overall operational model by influencing footprint strategy, cross-site roles, and process alignment

• Coordinate with international Managing Directors and operations leaders to share best practices, ensure alignment where needed, and support globally consistent operational standards.

• Operate effectively within a matrixed structure to ensure shared accountability and integrated decision-making

Execution & Site Leadership

• Lead day-to-day operations across a network of domestic manufacturing facilities

• Manage 9 direct reports, including site and multi-site operations leaders; oversee a span of care of ~437 team members

• Drive consistency and collaboration across all locations to ensure world-class execution

• Champion a culture of safety, quality, and delivery excellence

Performance Improvement & Customer Trust

• Drive adoption of the Customer Trust Experience system to deliver high-quality solutions on time, with minimal warranty exposure

• Apply continuous improvement and structured problem-solving principles to eliminate inefficiencies and improve throughput, leveraging working knowledge of CI and OpEx frameworks

• Partner with Finance to lead operational reviews and align around shared performance drivers

• Serve as the escalation point for delivery challenges, quoting risk, or field warranty concerns

Organizational Design & Talent Development

• Continuously evolve site-level team structures to optimize cost, support growth, clarify roles, and strengthen cross-site alignment

• Develop a strong leadership bench with a focus on growing talent from within and preparing for future needs

• Support and coach direct reports to foster shared accountability, consistency, and operational ownership

• Promote a leadership culture grounded in care, clarity, and high expectations

Strategic Leadership & Impact

• Align operations with our ambition to be a formidable global packaging solutions provider

• Fall in love with solving our customers' problems by addressing operational and execution challenges through strategic thinking, discipline, and transformation

• Implement systems and practices that drive efficiency, scalability, and customer impact across all facilities

• Develop a culture where people and performance work in harmony - balancing care with accountability at all levels

• Contribute clear vision and leadership while operating within the broader Barry-Wehmiller values and vision

• Act as a strategic and cultural force across the operational senior leadership team

Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree required; degree in Engineering, Operations, or a related field preferred
• 20 + years of relevant experience, with 10+ years of experience leading multi-site manufacturing operations across states or regions
• Demonstrated success driving operational efficiency, productivity, and sustainable margin improvement
• Experience managing P&L and leading large teams across complex operations
• Familiarity with Lean, continuous improvement, and structured problem-solving - with a proven ability to deploy when needed
• Flexibility to take on evolving responsibilities in response to strategic priorities and business needs
• Strong leadership and collaboration skills, especially in matrixed environments involving supply chain, engineering, and commercial teams
• Ability to lead through complexity, build strong leadership teams, and deliver results through others

Travel: 50-60%, domestic & international, primarily within North America

Direct Reports:

• Site Leaders
• Multi-site Operations Leaders

Site and Multi-Site Operations leaders have direct staff accountability for: Manufacturing & Assembly, Testing, Project Management, Planning, Operational Excellence / Continuous Improvement (CI), and matrixed, indirect oversight for the following functions: Engineering, Supply Chain, Finance, HR, Stockroom / Logistics

Success Profile:

This role requires a grounded, high-accountability leader who can deliver operational results while building organizational strength. It demands someone who leads with clarity, develops talent intentionally, and drives performance across a complex, multi-site manufacturing network.

Success in this role requires a disciplined and people-centered executive with end-to-end operational fluency and a track record of scaling execution, efficiency, and team capability. This individual ensures alignment across engineering, manufacturing, quality, and supply chain-optimizing cost, margin, and throughput without compromising safety, customer trust, or employee engagement.

This leader aligns to the vision set by the Chief Operating Officer and serves as a central force in making that vision real-owning delivery across North America and cultivating a culture of accountability, consistency, and care that enables sustainable growth and customer confidence.

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At Barry-Wehmiller we recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job. If your experience is close to what you see listed here, please still consider applying. We know that our differences often can bring about innovation, excellence and meaningful work-therefore, people from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply to our positions. Please let us know if you require reasonable accommodations during the interview process.

Barry-Wehmiller is an equal opportunity employer. M/F/D/V This organization uses E-Verify.

Applicants may be subject to pre-employment screening which may include drug screening, reference checks, employment verifications, background screening and/or skills assessments.

Company:

BW Integrated Systems