VP of Operations & Engineering

Kistler Group • Full-time • Buffalo, NY, US • $150,000 - $190,000 / year • 18h ago

Join Kistler – A Global Leader in Measurement Technology!

At Kistler, we’re revolutionizing industries with our cutting-edge dynamic measurement technology, helping customers optimize products and processes. From automobile development to smart factories, our Swiss-designed sensor solutions are driving the future of electrified drive technology, industrial automation, and emission reduction.

Purpose of the Position

We are seeking a Vice President of Operations and Engineering to lead our North American production, engineering, and logistics footprint. This leader will drive our localization strategy, focusing on the localization of manufacturing and engineering to serve our key regional focus markets, which include MedTech, Aerospace and Defense, Infrastructure, and Automotive Production. The role will build operational excellence across our footprint, deliver strong connection to customers, and ensure scalable capacity as the market grows.

Main Tasks

Lead the implementation of the localization strategy, focusing production and engineering for North American focus markets.
Oversee Operations, including logistics, planning, purchasing, assembly and the machine shop.
Provide strategic and operational leadership for Engineering, including Custom Product Engineering, Application Engineering, and R&D interfaces.
Ensure organizational structure, processes, and capabilities are in place to support full lifecycle engineering from requirements gathering and feasibility analysis to design, validation, release, and production ramp-up.
Take ownership for the Custom Product Engineering organization, including technical content responsibility, decision authority on engineering concepts, and overall delivery quality.
Lead Quality Management and Assurance as part of Operations, including compliance systems, audits, and continuous improvement.
Ensure adherence to AS9100D, ISO 9001, and ISO 17025.
Manage production and engineering KPIs, such as productive hours, delivery reliability, throughput, scrap rate, and on-time launch of development and improvement projects.
Establish performance dashboards and drive data-based decisions using Celonis, Power BI, and other analytics tools.
Provide strong, presence-based leadership at the Amherst site, fostering a culture of accountability, teamwork, safety, and continuous improvement.
Collaborate closely with Sales Directors and the General Manager to maintain proximity to customers and align operations with commercial priorities.
Represent Operations and Engineering during customer meetings, audits, and site visits.
Develop and manage capital investment plans for production assets, engineering equipment, and process capabilities.
Maintain functional alignment with corporate platform leaders in Engineering and Production.
Ensure seamless cross-functional collaboration between Engineering, Production, Sales, Quality, and Product Management to enable customer-centric, technically sound solutions.
Lead and develop teams in accordance with Kistler leadership principles, ensuring talent development, succession planning, and retention.

Requirements Profile

Experienced Operations and Engineering leader with a successful track record in complex industrial or high-precision environments.
Twelve or more years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing, operations, or engineering; experience in MedTech, Aerospace and Defense, Infrastructure, or Automotive Production is highly valued.
Proven leadership of engineering organizations, including responsibility for product engineering, design, customization, and technical decision-making.
Hands-on leadership style, comfortable engaging directly with teams on the shop floor, in labs, and across operations.
Strong understanding of ERP and manufacturing execution systems; SAP experience strongly preferred.
Skilled in lean manufacturing, digital operations, capacity planning, and cross-functional coordination.
Demonstrated success in budget management, capital investment planning, and asset utilization.
Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement, and decision-making skills.
Commitment to continuous improvement and operational excellence.
Willingness to travel occasionally to Novi, MI, and other sites.

Why Kistler?

At Kistler, we value your expertise and offer opportunities for professional growth in a global environment. Our competitive benefits package includes:

Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability coverage
401(k) plan with a 4% company match
Generous personal and vacation time

Join a team that’s shaping the future of measurement technology. We look forward to meeting you!

Kistler Instrument Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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