Hybrid Vice President of Operations bei Calcium Products Inc

 Reports to: President and CEO

 Company Overview

 Calcium Products manufactures high-quality, calcium-based fertilizers that help maximize soil fertility and deliver essential nutrients to support strong crop performance. Our pelletized limestone (98G) and  gypsum (SO4) products are made from some of the purest deposits in the Midwest and trusted for their reliability and consistency. 

With production facilities in Iowa and a fourth pelletizing plant under construction in Nebraska, we continue to scale in response to growing demand. As we expand our footprint and complexity, this leadership role marks an important step in strengthening operations across multiple states.

 Location

 Primary location is within reasonable proximity to our Iowa and Nebraska facilities, with frequent on-site presence required—especially during onboarding and integration. While a hybrid or partially remote setup may be considered, strong visibility at the plants is essential. The role also involves periodic time at our Ames, Iowa headquarters to collaborate with the executive team, as well as team members in accounting, customer service, and quality. 

Position Summary

 The Vice President of Operations will oversee all production facilities at Calcium Products, including our sites in Fort Dodge and Gilmore City, Iowa, and our new facility in Nebraska. This expanded leadership role is a direct response to the increasing complexity of operating in multiple states and scaling our production capacity to meet growing demand. 

Reporting directly to the President & CEO and serving as a member of the executive leadership team, the VP of Operations will be responsible for safety, training, quality, production, maintenance, and standard operating practices across all sites. The role will bring strategic oversight and operational  discipline to ensure consistency, accountability, and continuous improvement across the organization.  It will also play a critical part in developing future operational leaders and aligning best practices companywide. 

This is a hands-on leadership position that requires someone who can guide day-to-day operations while shaping the systems, structure, and people needed to support long-term growth. 

Key Responsibilities

 1. Safety and Compliance

 • Champion a proactive safety culture across all sites

 • Ensure compliance with MSHA, OSHA, EPA, DNR, and other applicable regulatory agencies 

 • Support the development and execution of safety training, auditing, and continuous improvement programs

 2. Operational Leadership

 • Lead day-to-day operations at all manufacturing sites, ensuring safe, high-quality, and efficient production

 • Provide support to plant managers and step in during critical gaps or absences

 • Maintain operational continuity across facilities while managing seasonal demand and long-term capacity

 3. Process Improvement & Maintenance Systems

 • Implement structured systems and metrics to improve safety, quality, uptime, and efficiency

 • Oversee the ongoing development and continuous improvement of the company's tailored preventative maintenance system to support long-term equipment reliability and performance

 • Foster an environment of continuous improvement by engaging the workforce at all levels using Kaizen and other lean tools to drive performance, increase morale, and support a culture of ownership

 • Leverage automation and process control technologies where appropriate to enhance consistency and reduce downtime

 4. Team Leadership and Workforce Development

 • Build and mentor a high-performing plant operations team

 • Set clear expectations and drive accountability at all levels

 • Foster an environment where people want to stay—by focusing on leadership consistency, strong communication, and frontline engagement, especially with employees in their first few years

 • Partner with HR to support hiring, training, compensation, and retention strategies that align with company values

 5. Capital Projects and Site Expansion

 • Lead the planning and execution of new facility builds and major equipment investments

 • Integrate cross-functional input and lessons learned to ensure scalable, cost-effective design and implementation

 • Ensure new sites are launched on time, on budget, and aligned with operational goals

 6. Strategic Collaboration

 • Work closely with the CFO, VP of Sales & Marketing, and VP of R&D and Technical Sales to ensure operations are aligned with business priorities, financial goals, and product performance expectations

 • Establish strong working relationships with these functions to improve planning, communication, and execution across departments

 • Participate actively in leadership conversations, bringing operational insight to strategic decisions around growth, customer service, product innovation, and capital planning

 7. Supply Chain and Inventory Management 

• Work closely with the CEO and CFO to maintain strong, reliable partnerships with our raw material suppliers, particularly for gypsum and limestone

 • Ensure production and inventory levels are maintained to prevent customer allocations, factoring in seasonality, weather patterns, ag economic conditions, and broader industry trends

• Align production planning with sales, marketing, and financial strategies by collaborating closely with the CFO, VP of Sales & Marketing, and VP of R&D and Technical Sales 

Qualifications

 • 15+ years of manufacturing or processing operations experience, with at least 5 years in senior, multi-site leadership

 • Proven background in industrial minerals, chemicals, aggregates, or other continuous flow/process environments

 • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, or Business

 • Strong project management skills, including budgeting, capital planning, and cross-functional coordination

 • Demonstrated ability to implement systems, improve performance, and lead teams through change

 • Financial fluency in manufacturing cost structures, operational ROI, and budget management

 Preferred

 • Advanced degree (MBA or MS in Engineering)

 • Familiarity with ERP systems and data-driven performance tracking

 Who We’re Looking For

 This role requires a steady, practical leader who knows how to build systems, coach people, and manage complexity. You bring structure without red tape. You listen closely, communicate clearly, and lead with  integrity. You understand the value of hands-on leadership and know how to help teams operate with  discipline, consistency, and pride in their work.