Heating & Cooling Products (HCP) is a long-standing front runner in the HVAC industry, manufacturing and distributing top-tier sheet metal products including pipe, duct, fittings, and more that serve the residential, multifamily, and light commercial markets. With over 25 states and Canada in our reach, we pride ourselves on quality craftsmanship and unmatched service. From spiral pipe to black stove fittings, every product is engineered for performance and reliability, empowering HVAC professionals to deliver excellence on every job.
Founded in 1955 and now part of the Smith’s Group, under the Flex-Tek Division, continuing to expand our reach with Royal Metal Products. HCP has a legacy of innovation and growth. We've evolved from a small Ohio-based shop into a dynamic, multi-location operation with major expansions and strategic partnerships. HCP is in an exciting phase of growth – we’re expanding our reach, scaling our impact, and building a workplace where talented individuals can thrive and make a difference. If you're looking for a company with strong roots, bold vision, and a future full of opportunity, come be part of what we’re creating.
Position Overview
The Vice President of Operations is a strategic, results‑driven role responsible for leading all manufacturing and operational functions across the organization. This role ensures that production systems, people, and processes operate at peak efficiency while supporting long‑term growth, quality, and profitability. The VP of Operations serves as a key member of the leadership team and plays a central role in shaping operational strategy, driving continuous improvement, and fostering a culture of safety and excellence.
The VP of Operations is an Exempt position. This position reports to the President.
Safety
- Champion a zero‑incident safety culture by embedding safety into every operational decision, process, and metric.
- Conduct regular safety audits, site visits, and leadership walk‑throughs to reinforce expectations and model safe behaviors.
- Drive proactive hazard identification, near‑miss reporting, and continuous improvement in safety performance.
Operations
- Provide strategic and hands‑on leadership for all manufacturing operations, ensuring consistent execution across multiple sites.
- Establish clear operational goals and accountability systems that drive performance in safety, quality, delivery, and cost.
- Lead production, engineering, maintenance, safety and quality teams with a focus on operational discipline and reliability.
- Ensure capacity planning, resource allocation, and production scheduling support customer commitments and business growth.
Continuous Improvement
- Champion Lean, Six Sigma, and other improvement methodologies to eliminate waste and increase throughput.
- Identify opportunities for automation, digital transformation, and modernization of manufacturing assets.
Strategic Management
- Collaborate with leadership to align operational strategy with long‑term business objectives.
- Evaluate operational risks and implement mitigation plans to protect people, assets, and business continuity.
Leadership and Development
- Build and mentor a high‑performing operations leadership team with strong safety and operational discipline.
- Foster a culture of accountability, transparency, and continuous learning.
- Lead organizational change initiatives that strengthen safety culture and operational maturity.
Qualifications
Education and Experience
- 7+ years progressive Operations experience
- Bachelor’s degree
- Experience in Labor Relations
- Ability to build and develop plant leadership teams
- Experience in ERP/MRP systems
- Experience overseeing multiple facilities
All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines. This position is onsite only and does not offer remote work options.
We believe that different perspectives and backgrounds are what make a company flourish. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment regardless of color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, economic status, disability, age, or any other legally protected characteristics. We are proud to be an inclusive company with values grounded in equality and ethics, where we celebrate, support, and embrace diversity.
At no time during the hiring process will Smiths Group, nor any of our recruitment partners ever request payment to enable participation – including, but not limited to, interviews or testing. Avoid fraudulent requests by applying jobs directly through our career’s website (Careers - Smiths Group plc)
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What We Do
For over 170 years, Smiths Group has been pioneering progress by engineering a better future. We serve millions of people every year, to help make the world safer, more energy efficient and productive, and better connected, across four global markets: Energy, General Industrial, Safety & Security, and Aerospace & Defence. Listed on the London Stock Exchange, Smiths employs more than 15,000 colleagues in over 50 countries. For more information visit www.smiths.com. We're looking for people with curious minds. Who want responsibility and relish a challenge. Whether you're an experienced professional or just starting out, our global scale and focus on growth means we have some great career opportunities for you. There's never been a better time to join Smiths.
