Vice President of Operations at KSB GIW Inc. – Grovetown, Georgia

KSB is a leading supplier of pumps, valves and related service. Our reliable, high-efficiency products are used in applications wherever fluids need to be transported or shut off, covering everything from building services,industry and water transport to waste water treatment, power plant processes and mining. Founded in 1871 in Frankenthal, Germany, the company has a presence on all continents with its own sales and marketing organisations and manufacturing facilities. Around the globe, more than 190 service centres and around 3,500 service specialists are on hand to provide local inspection, servicing, maintenance and repair services under the KSB SupremeServ brand. Innovative technology that is the fruit of KSB’s research and development activities forms the basis for the company’s success.

People. Passion. Performance. It is these three success factors that make KSB the company it is today.

At KSB, we recognise that it is people who actually make the difference – the people we employ and the people we serve. This is why we are committed to equal rights and treatment worldwide and never lose sight of the aspects ecology and sustainability when manufacturing our products.

Vice President of Operations

KSB GIW, Inc.

Department: Operations
Reports to: Managing Director, KSB GIW, Inc.
Location: Grovetown, GA
Shift: 1st

FLSA Status: Salary Exempt

OVERVIEW:
As a core member of the executive team, the Vice President of Operations sets the strategic vision for operational excellence and governance across KSB GIW, Inc. This role provides company-wide direction, ensuring all operational functions are aligned with company strategy, business priorities, and technical and commercial objectives, while holding direct accountability for safety, regulatory compliance, and operational risk management. The VP leads a high-performing team of senior departmental leaders, and partners with the Managing Director as well as executive colleagues to shape decisions that drive growth, innovation, and customer value. Through this role’s leadership, KSB GIW, Inc. achieves business objectives, optimizes resources, manages risk, and sustains long-term value in global markets.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide executive leadership and strategic direction for all operational functions through departmental heads responsible for:
  • Production
  • Integrated Management Systems (QA/QC and ESH)
  • Operations Finance (matrixed with Finance)
  • Manufacturing Engineering
  • Order Management and Logistics
  • Procurement
  • Maintenance
  • Inventory Control
  • Commercial Operations
  • Global Supply Chain

• Lead the development, implementation, and ongoing improvement of company-wide safety, regulatory compliance, and risk management programs.
• Oversee audits, risk mitigation, and corrective action plans at the executive level.
• Set and communicate clear operational objectives and performance expectations aligned with corporate strategy, ensuring measurable results.
• Empower department leaders to optimize production, resource allocation, and efficiency to fulfill demand, sales forecasts, and inventory targets using both internal and external resources.
• Safeguard and optimize company assets—facilities, equipment, inventory—to maximize availability, manage capital investments, and control costs.
• Drive strategic planning and execution for product mix, manufacturing output, and continuous improvement initiatives to meet evolving customer and business needs.
• Monitor operational analytics and key performance indicators to ensure achievement of safety, quality, delivery, and financial targets.
• Collaborate with commercial, technical, and executive stakeholders—including other Vice Presidents—to advance cross-functional initiatives and governance objectives.
• Oversee operational systems and controls to maintain production quality, regulatory compliance, and workplace safety.
• Sponsor continuous improvement leveraging Lean, Six Sigma, automation, and digital transformation for business performance.
• Direct inventory and procurement strategy to optimize working capital, supplier quality, and risk management.
• Manage commercial operations from order entry through fulfillment and post-warranty service, ensuring customer satisfaction and product excellence.
• Lead operational budget planning, fiscal management, and financial controls, ensuring cash flow, disciplined capital allocation, and profitability.
• Guide teams in maximizing resource efficiency for robust margin performance and long-term sustainability.
• Foster open communication, leadership development, and engagement to cultivate a high-performance, compliant culture.
• Champion innovation by empowering leaders to embrace automation, AI, and new digital tools for ongoing operational excellence, safety, and compliance.

Global Supply Chain & KSB Mining Scope

• Oversee global supply chain strategy for KSB GIW Slurry Pumps within KSB Mining, ensuring consistent quality standards for pumps and spare parts across all regions. Drive alignment and standardization of materials, processes, systems, and reporting to provide transparency, operational consistency worldwide.
• Share and implement best practices in Lean manufacturing and operational excellence across slurry pump production sites.
• Lead localization initiatives for KSB GIW Slurry Pumps in other markets. Ensure capability transfer, quality integrity, and cost competitiveness in key markets.
• Coordinate global third-party sourcing strategies and oversee product cost analysis to support capacity, risk mitigation, and sustained margin performance

Governance & Authority

• Hold executive authority for operational strategy, policy, standards, and controls across operations, manufacturing, and supply chain.
• Key decision makers on operational budgets, capital expenditures, resource allocation, and risk mitigation.

• Accountable for enterprise compliance, audit readiness, and integrity of operational practices.
• Provide governance recommendations to the Managing Director and executive committee on strategic and enterprise matters.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Operations Management, Supply Chain, or related field required
• Master’s degree (MBA or equivalent) strongly preferred

Experience:

• Minimum 15 years of progressive experience in operations, manufacturing, or supply chain management within an industrial environment
• At least 8 years in senior leadership roles, managing multi-site operations or department heads
• Demonstrated success in safety leadership, regulatory compliance, operational excellence, transformation, and delivering on key business metrics
• Strong experience collaborating across executive teams and matrixed organizational structures
• Extensive background in resource optimization, risk management, budgeting, P&L oversight, and strategic execution
• ERP and supply chain management systems experience required; Lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement certifications preferred

Skills & Competencies:

• Exceptional executive leadership and strategic decision-making
• Strong stakeholder management, influence, and consensus-building abilities
• Proven talent for building and leading high-performing teams and advancing a culture of innovation
• Ability to drive operational analytics, risk management, and organizational alignment

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Frequently:

• Conduct and Lead meetings
• Visit production sites
• Sits, stands, and walks for extended periods

Occasionally:

• Lift up to 25lbs
• Domestic and international travel for site visits, meetings, and events
• Deliver presentations and represent the company at public, industry, or executive forum

KSB GIW, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. KSB GIW, Inc. makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifica

KSB Group is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. KSB makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.

We value employees who take the initiative and are committed to our company; Employees who take responsibility and for whom business success is the focus of their actions. In return, we offer fair framework conditions for collective wages and pensions, flexible working time models, individual training opportunities and the best career prospects.