Job Description

About Somerset Hardwood Flooring

Somerset Hardwood Floors is a leading U.S. manufacturer of premium solid and engineered hardwood flooring, proudly based in Somerset, Kentucky. Known for its high-quality products and commitment to sustainability, Somerset serves a broad base of residential and commercial customers across North America.

Now part of the Bauwerk Group —a global wood flooring leader based in Switzerland—Somerset is the Group’s primary brand and manufacturing platform in the U.S. As part of this strategic focus, Bauwerk has exited the U.S. distribution of its Boen brand to fully support the growth and expansion of Somerset in the North American market.

This is an exciting period of investment and transformation, offering an experienced Vice President of Operations the opportunity to lead operational excellence, drive scalable processes, and support the next phase of growth for a respected brand in the flooring industry.

Position Summary

The Vice President of Operations will lead and oversee all operational functions at Somerset Hardwood Flooring’s flagship manufacturing site in Somerset, KY. Reporting directly to the President & CEO, this role is responsible for driving operational excellence, safety, quality, production efficiency, and continuous improvement across the manufacturing organization. The ideal candidate will bring a proven track record in lean manufacturing, supply chain leadership, team development, and delivering results in a fast-paced, quality-driven environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Operational Leadership: Lead all aspects of manufacturing operations including production, maintenance, quality, safety, logistics, supply chain, and planning/scheduling for the Somerset site.
• Strategic Execution: Translate business strategy into operational goals and execute continuous improvement initiatives (also in global SPS groups) to increase throughput, reduce waste, and improve product quality.
• Safety & Compliance: Champion a culture of safety and ensure compliance with OSHA and environmental regulations.
• Team Development: Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performance team across all levels of the plant organization; foster a culture of accountability and engagement.
• Quality Assurance: Collaborate with quality and engineering teams to maintain and improve product standards and customer satisfaction.
• Capacity & Scalability: Optimize capacity planning and production scheduling to meet growing customer demand while maintaining operational flexibility.
• Cost Control: Drive cost efficiency through process improvements, inventory control, and resource optimization.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with sales, product development, procurement, and executive leadership to ensure alignment across functions. Work closely with the international Bauwerk Group Team.
• Technology & Innovation: Leverage data and modern manufacturing technologies to enhance visibility, traceability, and performance.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Industrial Technology, or related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing, preferably in wood products, flooring, or a related industry.
• Demonstrated success in leading operations through periods of growth and change.
• Strong expertise in lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience with vertically integrated supply chains and multi-shift manufacturing operations.
• Skilled in ERP systems, production planning, and performance tracking tools.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and team-building capabilities.

What We Offer:

• Competitive compensation and executive-level benefits package.
• Opportunity to lead in a company that values craftsmanship, innovation, and long-term growth.
• High visibility and impact role at a premier American manufacturing brand and work in a global environment.

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