VP Operations

The Opportunity We are seeking an experienced Vice President - Operations & Production to lead a large-scale industrial fabrication and construction operation, overseeing the safe, efficient and profitable delivery of multiple complex projects. This is a senior leadership position responsible for transforming operational resources into a high-performing, integrated execution platform. The successful candidate will lead a workforce of more than 1,500 personnel, optimize production capacity and resource utilization, and drive operational excellence across fabrication, assembly, construction, testing and load-out activities. Working closely with the executive leadership team and project management function, you will balance competing project priorities, improve productivity and cost efficiency, and support the organization's continued growth and operational transformation. What You'll Be Doing • Operational Leadership: Provide strategic and operational direction across fabrication, production, construction, workshops, production control, workforce administration, plant and equipment. • Workforce Management: Lead and optimize a workforce of 1,500+ personnel, improving labour productivity, workforce utilization, supervision, attendance and earned-versus-spent man-hours. • Production Planning & Capacity: Oversee resource allocation across concurrent projects, ensuring effective utilization of workshops, construction areas, cranes, equipment and manpower. • Cost Optimisation: Improve operational profitability through cost control, resource efficiency, inventory management, reduced rework and increased productivity. • Operational Excellence: Drive continuous improvement through Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, TPM, TQM, digital production monitoring and automation initiatives. • Project Execution: Ensure fabrication, assembly, construction, testing and load-out activities are delivered safely, efficiently and in line with technical specifications, quality standards and agreed schedules. • Safety & Quality: Champion a strong HSE culture and ensure compliance with relevant engineering standards, quality management systems and regulatory requirements. • Stakeholder Management: Build strong relationships with clients, suppliers and internal stakeholders, supporting technical inspections, quality approvals and the development of future business opportunities. • Leadership & Succession: Develop and mentor senior operational leaders, strengthen management capability and establish succession plans for critical roles. • Performance Management: Monitor operational KPIs covering safety, productivity, schedule adherence, cost, quality and workforce development, providing regular performance updates to executive leadership. What You'll Need • A Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering or a related discipline. • A minimum of 10 years in senior operational leadership positions. • Proven experience managing large-scale workforces exceeding 1,000 personnel. • Extensive knowledge of structural fabrication, piping, welding, modular construction, heavy lifting and load-out operations. • Strong understanding of international engineering and quality standards, including API, ASME, AWS, ABS, DNV and ISO. • A track record of improving productivity, labour efficiency, equipment utilization and operational cost performance. • Experience implementing continuous improvement methodologies such as Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, TPM and TQM. • Strong strategic, analytical and commercial acumen, with the ability to translate operational improvements into measurable business results. • Demonstrated ability to lead multiple concurrent projects, allocate resources effectively and balance competing priorities. • Excellent leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build client confidence in operational delivery and product quality. • A strong commitment to health and safety, quality, integrity, sustainability and people development. The Ideal Candidate You will be a technically credible and commercially minded operational leader who can manage a complex, large-scale fabrication and construction environment. You will combine a hands-on approach with strategic thinking, creating a culture of accountability, continuous improvement and operational discipline. This is not a traditional production management role. It requires the ability to integrate people, facilities, equipment and production capacity across multiple projects while delivering consistent, safe and profitable operational performance. If you have the leadership experience and technical expertise to drive operational transformation within a complex industrial environment, we would welcome your application.