Associate Vice President of Production Position Summary The Associate Vice President of Production is a strategic operations leader responsible for overseeing all aspects of production within a fast-paced tradeshow exhibit manufacturing environment. The ideal candidate combines strong manufacturing leadership, actively identifying opportunities for automation, workflow optimization, technology integration, and workforce development. This leader will champion efficiency, quality, safety, and employee growth while ensuring the company remains competitive in an evolving manufacturing landscape. Key Responsibilities Production Leadership & Operations

• Lead day-to-day production operations across woodworking, metal fabrication, graphics, paint, warehousing, and exhibit preparation.
• Develop and execute production strategies that reduce waste, increase profitability, and enhance quality.
• Ensure projects are completed on time, within budget, and according to client specifications and company standards.
• Collaborate closely with project management, design, engineering, and logistics teams to support seamless project execution.
• Establish clear performance expectations and accountability across production departments.
• Monitor production capacity, workflow, and resource allocation to support changing business demands. Continuous Improvement & Automation
• Identify, evaluate, and implement automation opportunities across manufacturing and operational workflows.
• Lead initiatives focused on process standardization, workflow optimization, and operational scalability.
• Evaluate emerging manufacturing technologies, including CNC optimization, AI-assisted scheduling, and digital production tools.
• Drive a culture of innovation throughout the production organization.
• Use data and analytics to support operational decision-making and identify performance trends.
• Establish measurable improvement initiatives and track results over time. Workforce Development & Training
• Make employee training, cross-training, a core operational priority.
• Develop structured training programs for production staff, supervisors, and future leaders.
• Build career development pathways that improve retention, internal promotion, and workforce adaptability.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, craftsmanship, and continuous learning.
• Partner with HR and department leaders to identify skills gaps and implement targeted development plans.
• Develop and strengthen the next generation of production leaders through coaching, mentoring, and hands-on development. Safety & Quality
• Maintain and enforce a strong safety culture while ensuring compliance with OSHA and company safety standards.
• Lead quality assurance initiatives to ensure consistent production excellence and minimize rework.
• Establish and maintain production standards that support consistent quality and craftsmanship.
• Implement best practices in shop organization, equipment maintenance, and production readiness.
• Monitor safety and quality performance and drive corrective actions when needed. Financial & Strategic Management
• Assist executive leadership with production forecasting, capacity planning, labor planning, and capital investment decisions.
• Develop and manage production budgets, staffing plans, and operational improvement initiatives.
• Recommend investments in equipment, software, and automation technologies that support long-term growth and efficiency.
• Support organizational scalability as business demands evolve.
• Balance operational efficiency with quality, service, employee development, and profitability. Qualifications Required
• 10+ years of manufacturing or production leadership experience, preferably in custom fabrication, exhibit/tradeshow, millwork, or experiential environments.
• Proven success leading multi-department production teams in a deadline-driven environment.
• Demonstrated experience implementing process improvements and production technologies.
• Strong understanding of production planning, capacity management, and operational performance.
• Excellent leadership, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills. Preferred
• Familiarity with production scheduling software and manufacturing analytics tools.
• Knowledge of custom fabrication workflows, graphics production, or exhibit construction.
• Experience with CNC equipment, automation, or other advanced manufacturing technologies.
• Experience leading organizational change and technology adoption within a manufacturing environment.