VP Operations

THE ORGANIZATION Our client is a well-established, privately held North American company operating in the heavy industrial supply and manufacturing sector. With decades of experience supporting large-scale industrial operations, the organization has built a strong reputation as a trusted partner to major equipment manufacturers, engineering firms, and end-user organizations across multiple industries.

The company specializes in the sourcing, engineering, and supply of highly specialized metal components used in demanding industrial environments. Through a broad global manufacturing network and fabrication capabilities in North America, the organization provides critical components that support essential operations in industries such as resource extraction, materials processing, and large-scale industrial production.

This is a confidential search. Further details about the organization will be shared with candidates who are shortlisted for the opportunity.

THE OPPORTUNITY The VP Operations is a highly engaged and hands‑on operational leader who thrives in complex, detail‑oriented industrial environments. This individual brings a “roll up your sleeves” leadership style—someone who is deeply involved in the day‑to‑day flow of projects and operations, with a strong command of the details behind each order, quotation, and customer commitment. They are naturally curious and analytical, asking thoughtful, intelligent questions of the engineering, quality, procurement, and supply chain teams to anticipate risks and identify potential issues before they impact delivery.

As a collaborative leader, the Vice President, Operations serves as the bridge across functional teams, ensuring alignment between internal systems, technical requirements, supplier capabilities, and customer expectations. They are equally comfortable influencing and guiding technical teams as they are resolving complex questions around specifications, quality standards, or project execution. With strong operational discipline, global supply chain awareness, and a commitment to professionalism and reliability, this leader fosters a cohesive team environment while ensuring projects are delivered on time, on specification, and in a manner that strengthens long‑term customer and supplier relationships.

RESPONSIBILITIES & ACCOUNTABILITIES Operational Execution & Project Oversight

Maintain full visibility across all active projects, quotations, and orders to ensure successful delivery from initial request through to final completion.

Stay closely connected to project details, timelines, technical requirements, and supplier commitments to proactively identify and mitigate risks.

Provide hands‑on leadership and problem solving for complex operational or project challenges that may impact delivery, quality, or customer satisfaction.

Oversee operational systems, order tracking, and internal processes to support accurate, on‑time, and on‑spec delivery, while providing direct oversight and guidance to engineering projects to ensure alignment with customer requirements and coordination with procurement, quality, and other operational functions.

Team Leadership & Cross‑Functional Collaboration

Lead and develop a multidisciplinary team across engineering, procurement, quality, domestic manufacturing and customer service functions.

Foster collaboration and alignment across functions that may traditionally operate in silos, ensuring smooth coordination between teams.

Create an environment of professionalism, trust, accountability, and teamwork that supports high performance and employee development.

Mentor and develop managers and team members while reinforcing clear communication and strong follow‑through.

Global Supply Chain & Supplier Partnerships

Oversee the organization’s international sourcing network to ensure reliable supply, strong supplier performance, and competitive pricing.

Support the Procurement Manager in strengthening relationships with key suppliers located around the world, working closely with logistics coordinators and offshore supply managers to ensure effective collaboration.

Maintain awareness of global industry trends and supply chain dynamics to support effective sourcing strategies.

Contribute to negotiations, supplier development, and long‑term partnership management with key international vendors.

Engineering, Product & Quality Collaboration

Work closely with the Mechanical Engineering and Metallurgical Engineering teams to support project execution and enhance the organization’s product offering.

Collaborate with technical teams to ensure customer specifications are translated effectively into engineering and manufacturing requirements.

Support the Quality Manager in maintaining and strengthening the organization’s ISO‑certified Quality Management System (QMS).

Ensure quality, technical integrity, and operational excellence remain central to project delivery.

Customer & Project Support

Work collaboratively with sales and customer service teams to ensure customer expectations are clearly understood and consistently delivered.

Participate in customer discussions when required to clarify project specifications, resolve issues, or support complex technical conversations.

Provide operational leadership in balancing customer requirements with engineering, quality, and supply chain considerations, including supporting the RFQ process to ensure timely, high‑quality submissions that meet project award requirements, while addressing complex logistics and international movement of goods. Reinforce the organization’s reputation as a reliable and trusted partner to its clients.

Performance & Project Profitability

Maintain accountability for the financial performance and profitability of projects by ensuring effective sourcing, cost control, and operational execution.

Monitor project costs, supplier pricing, and operational efficiencies to protect margins and support competitive market positioning.

Work closely with procurement, engineering, and sales teams to ensure quotations, supplier selections, and project execution align with financial objectives.

Contribute to strategic decision‑making by analyzing operational and financial data related to projects and supplier performance.

THE INDIVIDUAL The successful candidate is a hands‑on, roll‑up‑your‑sleeves leader who thrives in technically complex operational environments. With strong technical grounding in Mechanical Engineering, Metallurgy, or a related discipline, they bring a high level of detail orientation and operational curiosity — someone who understands the nuances of projects and is comfortable engaging deeply with technical, engineering, and supply chain considerations.

You build trust naturally with executive leadership, their teams, suppliers, and customers through consistent communication, reliability, and a strong sense of accountability. You are resourceful and demonstrate grit—finding ways to solve problems and move projects forward even when challenges arise. At your core, you care deeply about the work, the people around you, and the success of the business. You lead with integrity, take ownership of outcomes, avoid a blame mentality, and influence others through credibility, follow‑through, and a genuine commitment to delivering results.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, or a related technical engineering discipline is required.

Additional education or training in operations management, supply chain management, or business is considered an asset.

Experience

10+ years of leadership experience managing teams of 15+ employees, including engineering management experience leading teams of design or technical engineers.

Demonstrated ability to develop leaders and foster a strong, collaborative team culture.

Experience working with offshore manufacturing partners supplying industrial clients with a strong understanding of international sourcing, logistics, and global supply chain management with a demonstrated ability to build strong, long‑term supplier partnerships, is an asset.

Demonstrated financial oversight of projects, with a strong track record of delivering complex initiatives on time and on budget while maintaining operational quality and customer commitments.

Fluency in English, both written and spoken, with a second language in Mandarin being an asset.

COMPENSATION A competitive compensation package awaits the successful candidate.

LOCATION Edmonton, Alberta

TRAVEL Minimal travel required.

WORK ENVIRONMENT As a senior leader responsible for guiding the operations team and fostering a strong organizational culture, this role requires a consistent on‑site presence to support collaboration, leadership visibility, and effective team engagement.

HOW TO APPLY For the opportunity to join our client in the role of

VP Operations

please email your resume to

DreamBig@profoundtalent.com

referencing

Position ID # ATDK-661328.

Should you have any inquiry regarding this position, please contact Max Frank at 587‑200‑0114 ext. 102 or Terri Davis at ext. 101.

For further information on

ProFoundTalent Inc.

please visit:

www.profoundtalent.com

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY ProFound Talent is a woman‑owned and operated business, recognized and certified by Women Business Enterprise (WBE). We pride ourselves in supporting equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives in...