Vice President Operations & General Manager

Great Care, Delivered is the promise that we make to our customers. If you have a passion for helping animals, and a love for serving others - we want you to help us deliver on that promise by joining our Operations Team.

This leadership position provides the operational oversight and management necessary to ensure that Wedgewood’s Swedesboro, NJ and Lexington, KY sites have the proper direction to achieve all operational objectives (safety, quality, service, financial, organizational development, etc) while providing an exceptional customer experience. Objectives are achieved by collaborating both within Operations and across functions. This includes ensuring proper budgets, controls, procedures, project management, and systems are in place to effectively deliver preparations to our customers ensuring safety, quality, regulatory compliance, and operating efficiencies. Additionally, this role is accountable to ensure a culture of continuous improvement within the Operations through employee engagement, education, support, and transformational change management processes.

Where will you work?

• This position will work onsite in Swedesboro, NJ and travel to our Lexington, KY location throughout the year.

What you’ll do:

• Provide overall leadership and management of operations within the Swedesboro facility.
• Work closely with the Lexington site leader and team to safely produce high quality products, comply with all regulatory requirements and deliver on all metrics.
• Provide the long- and short- range strategic vision, plan, and direction for each site’s operations in alignment with corporate vision/goals.
• Create an environment of cooperation, teamwork, and cross functional collaboration both within Operations and across functions to meet customer needs and accomplish the company’s goals.
• Ensure a safe working environment at all times and create a 0 injury culture that empowers employees and creates accountability.
• Ensure operational knowledge and compliance to all regulations (USP, FDA, DEA, OSHA, etc.)
• Ensure all preparations are compounded according to all quality standards and SOP’s with minimal waste.
• Develop, track, and action against operational KPIs to improve safety, quality, on-time delivery, and costs.
• Initiate and oversee major projects (e.g., equipment purchase, automation, Lean, etc).
• Ensure collaboration with the planning team to develop best compounding schedules. Manage labor resources and equipment across multiple shifts to meet planned production requirements.
• Ensure that all personnel are sufficiently skilled and trained to perform their functions in a safe high-quality and efficient manner.
• Ensure facility and equipment are properly maintained with minimal downtime and uninterrupted plant operations.
• Institute and apply best engineering practices for design of facilities and equipment.
• Responsible for building / growing Operations functional excellence. Develop staff through mentoring, assignment selection and training.
• Assist with troubleshooting and effectively resolving problems. Develop and implement corrective actions to unplanned (atypical) manufacturing events to ensure a consistent and reliable supply and prevent recurrence.
• Systemically drive continuous improvement via automation, process improvements, new technology, and change management tools such as Lean and 6 Sigma.
• Create a culture of employee engagement and communication supporting continuous improvement, company’s objectives, employee needs, and customer needs.
• Develop and manage departmental budgets.

Who you are:

• Proven ability to lead by example, communicate and motivate team members.
• Proven systemic project management tools and continuous improvement methods (Lean, 6 sigma, etc.)
• Knowledge of Standard Work Principles and demonstrate the ability to implement standard work in a visual factory environment (Operational Excellence)
• Strong computer skills including Outlook, Excel, Visio, Word, PowerPoint.
• Familiar with regulated business management applications (i.e. ERP systems, CMMS, QMS, etc.)
• Strong financial acumen.

What you’ve done:

• 5 years leading and managing Operations in an FDA regulated production environment - Pharmacy would be a plus.
• Relevant Bachelor's or Master's degree.
• Lean / Six Sigma certification and implementation experience.
• Demonstrated project management experience and use of tools.
• Thorough understanding and practice of government regulations including USP, FDA, OSHA, DEA, etc. in driving continuous improvement in Operating metrics.
• Ability to operate, manage, and control efficiently in a multi-tasked, fast-paced operational environment.
• Ability to build consensus, and motivate staff across the organization.
• Excellent interpersonal, leadership, and communication (written and verbal) skills.
• Ability to develop the skills of staff members.
• Ability to analyze dynamic business scenarios from diverse perspectives (safety, compliance, automation, equipment, process, and people), conduct systematic root cause analysis, and formulate multi-optioned, data driven, reasoned solutions.
• Openness to question existing methods while providing collaborative improvement solutions.
• Construct cost/benefit analysis.
• Build and strengthen inter-departmental processes and relationships.
• Strong computer skills including Outlook, Excel, Visio, Word, PowerPoint.

What’s in it for you:

• A comprehensive benefits package that includes health, dental, and flexible spending accounts.
• 401(k) retirement plan with a generous company contribution to help you save for the future.
• Company Paid Life and disability insurance.
• Access to voluntary insurance options.
• A generous paid time off program that increases every year.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Opportunity for growth - We believe in promoting from within and do so through our internal job posting program!

About Us

Wedgewood is the nation’s largest and most trusted provider of compounded veterinary medications. Its recent merger with Blue Rabbit enables the company to provide veterinarians with next-generation software to streamline patient care and marks a significant evolution in services. Together Blue Rabbit and Wedgewood serve more than 70,000 veterinary professionals and one million animals annually.

Wedgewood is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. If you require an accommodation due to a special need or disability, please let your recruiter know what accommodations you will need.