A vice president of operations is an executive professional whose responsibility is to help the organization achieve its business goals. They manage day-to-day operations within an organization, such as finance, marketing, human resources, etc. Furthermore, a VP of operations will create strategies that drive success for the company.

This includes budgeting, analyzing the market, identifying issues in the current operations dynamic, and revitalizing the company if needed. This is an executive role, so you must coordinate with other managers and monitor their work. That’s why you should particularly emphasize your leadership skills in your resume.

A vice president of operations is also the link between managers and stakeholders. That’s why your resume should reflect your interpersonal skills. Additionally, you must be able to represent the company in internal and external events.

The role of the vice president of operations generally overlaps with the chief executive officer's job. Even though they aren’t the same position, they have similar responsibilities, so usually, companies would have either a COO or a VP of operations. There are exceptions in which companies would have both and they collaborate with each other, but these organizations have a more complex business structure.

Vice President of Operations Resume Templates

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Vice President of Operations

VP, Sales Operations

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Keywords for Vice President of Operations Resumes

Vice President of Operations Resume Tips

Action Verbs to Use

Related Other Resumes

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Header

Summary

Experience

Education

Template 1 of 2: Vice President of Operations Resume Example

A vice president of operations identifies opportunities and threats that influence the company’s success. With this information, they create a strategy for business operations, coordinating with managers and budgeting each project. Therefore, a good vice president of operations should have business acumen. If you want to make a good impression on your resume, you can talk about the achievements you’ve had as the head of the team.

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A vice president of operations resume template that highlights leadership roles.

Tips to help you write your Vice President of Operations resume in 2024

Highlight your achievements in previous organizations.

The vice president of operations has a huge influence on the success of a company. In fact, they are often called the second in command followed by the chief executive officer. That’s why you can easily identify your achievements in previous organizations. By mentioning your accomplishments in your resume, you will illustrate your value and work ethic. Also, you can make a huge difference in your resume by complementing your achievements with descriptive metrics.

Also see: How to Write Resume Bullets That Get Interviews

Highlight your achievements in previous organizations. - Vice President of Operations Resume

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Demonstrate your relevancy in the industry.

A vice president of operations can work in different industries such as retail, manufacturing, television networks, etc. In order to escalate to this position, you must be highly experienced in that particular industry. This will give you clarity into market expectations, opportunities, and threats for the business. That’s why it is crucial to highlight your relevancy in the industry in your resume.

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Skills you can include on your Vice President of Operations resume

Manufacturing

Strategic Partnerships

Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)

Cross-functional Team Leadership

Lean Manufacturing

Supply Chain Management

Executive Management

Business Process Improvement

Strategy

Template 2 of 2: VP, Sales Operations Resume Example

A vice president of sales operations, also called VPSO, ensures the effectiveness of the salesforce by implementing optimization strategies and motivating the team. They are responsible for assigning sales quotas, sales compensation, and training. Additionally, the VPSO must monitor the sales team's performance to identify and address issues. This is a job that requires excellent time management skills, so you can mention it in your resume.

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A VP, sales operations resume template that’s tailored to the sales field.

Tips to help you write your VP, Sales Operations resume in 2024

Indicate your ability to coordinate with the sales team.

As a VPSO, you will be in charge of supervising the sales team, so it is important to have leadership skills. You must be able to determine an efficient plan, assign sales quotas to each team member, motivate them, and address issues when needed.

Also see: How To Demonstrate Teamwork on Your Resume

Indicate your ability to coordinate with the sales team. - VP, Sales Operations Resume

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Highlight your financial skills.

The VPSO is also responsible for reporting, budgeting, and forecasting, so having some financial skills is crucial for this role. You can use your resume to display this ability and impress potential employers.

Also see: Find Hard Skills To Include In Your Resume

Highlight your financial skills. - VP, Sales Operations Resume

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Skills you can include on your VP, Sales Operations resume

Vendor Management

Cross-functional Team Leadership

Supply Chain Management

Operational Excellence

Global Operations

Lean Manufacturing

Business Development

Continuous Improvement

Change Management

Vice President of Operations Resume Tips

We reviewed hundreds of resumes for VP of Operations roles, and spoke with hiring managers at top companies like Amazon, FedEx, and General Electric to gather their best tips. They revealed what they look for in standout candidates. These tips will help your resume impress employers and land more interviews.

Quantify your operational achievements

Numbers are powerful for showing your impact. Did you boost production efficiency, reduce costs, or speed up deliveries? Use specific metrics from your past roles.

Implemented Lean Six Sigma processes which increased production output by 30% and reduced defect rate from 5% to 1.5%
Negotiated new supplier contracts cutting material costs by $1.2M annually
Automated order processing system, speeding up deliveries from 7 days to 3 days on average

Bullet Point Samples for Vice President of Operations

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Highlight leadership of large global teams

VP of Operations roles require leading sizable, often global workforces. Employers want to see evidence of your people management abilities.

Directed team of 500+ employees across 4 continents and 12 production facilities
Managed annual labor budget of $25M and improved productivity by 17% through workforce optimization initiatives
Built and led diverse, cross-functional team of 80 operations, engineering, and supply chain professionals

Show a track record of improving processes

Streamlining operational processes and implementing best practices is key for a VP of Operations. Highlight how you found inefficiencies and rolled out solutions.

Weak examples:

Participated in operational improvements
Worked on updating processes and boosting efficiency

Strong examples:

Installed SAP ERP system and optimized modules, reducing inventory costs 22%
Revamped production scheduling based on demand forecasting, increasing plant capacity utilization from 70% to 92%

Demonstrate cross-functional collaboration

VPs of Operations partner closely with other departments like sales, finance and IT. Show how you built relationships and achieved goals together.

Collaborated with sales to implement new CRM and order management platform, enabling 25% revenue growth
Partnered with CFO to develop annual budgets and present quarterly performance to board
Worked with CIO to map out 3-year digital transformation roadmap for manufacturing IoT systems

Provide a strong, results-driven summary

Your resume summary is prime real estate for highlighting your biggest operational accomplishments. Hook the reader with your most impressive metrics.

Global operations executive with 15+ years leading manufacturing for Fortune 500 CPG companies. Track record of optimizing production, reducing costs and improving quality. Implemented industry 4.0 solutions that drove $35M in cost savings and increased productivity 55%. Six Sigma Black Belt skilled in Lean process improvement.

Tailor your skills to the job

While operations management requires a core set of skills, the specifics vary across industries and companies. Customize your skills section based on the job description.

For example, useful skills could include:

For an ecommerce company: order fulfillment, warehouse automation, carrier contract negotiation
For a manufacturer: preventive maintenance, EHS compliance, supplier quality audits
For a hospital: patient flow optimization, staffing and scheduling, Joint Commission preparations

Writing Your Vice President of Operations Resume: Section By Section

Header

Your resume header is the first thing hiring managers will see. As a VP of Operations, it's crucial to make a strong first impression that conveys your professionalism and leadership abilities. Here are some key tips to keep in mind when crafting your header:

1. Keep it simple and professional

Your header should be clean, easy to read, and professional. Stick to a classic font like Arial or Calibri, and avoid using colors or graphics. Remember, as a VP of Operations, your resume should convey a sense of professionalism and leadership.

Here's an example of a well-formatted header for a VP of Operations:

John Smith
Email: [email protected] | Phone: (123) 456-7890 | LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johnsmith

In contrast, here's an example of a poorly formatted header:

John Smith, MBA, PMP, Six Sigma Black Belt
123 Main Street, Anytown, USA 12345
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (123) 456-7890
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johnsmith

The second example is cluttered, difficult to read, and includes unnecessary information like certifications and a full address.

To make sure your header is optimized, try running your resume through Score My Resume. It will check your resume against 30+ key criteria that hiring managers look for and provide instant, expert feedback on how to improve it.

2. Include your name, email, phone number, and LinkedIn URL

As a VP of Operations, it's important to make it easy for hiring managers and recruiters to contact you. Include your full name, professional email address, phone number, and a link to your LinkedIn profile.

Here are some examples of contact details to include:

Name: Jane Doe
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (123) 456-7890
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/janedoe

Avoid using unprofessional email addresses like "[email protected]" or "[email protected]". Stick to a simple format like "[email protected]".

If you work remotely or are open to relocation, consider adding a brief note to your header. For example: "Open to relocation" or "Remote work experience". This can help catch a hiring manager's eye and show that you're flexible.

3. Optionally include your job title

As a VP of Operations, you may choose to include your current or desired job title in your header. This can help hiring managers quickly understand your career level and focus.

Here's an example of a header that includes a job title:

John Smith
VP of Operations
Email: [email protected] | Phone: (123) 456-7890 | LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johnsmith

However, avoid stuffing your header with multiple job titles or keywords. This can come across as desperate or spammy. Stick to one clear, concise job title that accurately reflects your current role or the role you're seeking.

Before you finalize your resume, consider running it through our Targeted Resume tool. It will analyze your resume against a specific job description and provide feedback on how well your resume is tailored to that role. This can help ensure that your header and the rest of your resume are optimized for the VP of Operations positions you're targeting.

Summary

When applying for a Vice President of Operations role, a well-crafted summary can be the key to catching the attention of hiring managers. While a summary is optional, it can be particularly useful if you're a career changer or an executive with extensive experience that may not be immediately apparent from the rest of your resume. However, it's important to avoid using an objective statement, as these are outdated and ineffective.

Your summary should provide context and highlight the most relevant aspects of your background, without repeating information that's already included elsewhere in your resume. Keep it concise, ideally no more than a paragraph, and focus on your key strengths and accomplishments that align with the requirements of the VP of Operations position.

How to write a resume summary if you are applying for a Vice President of Operations resume

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1. Tailor your summary to the specific VP of Operations role

When crafting your summary for a Vice President of Operations position, it's crucial to align your skills and experiences with the specific requirements of the role and the company's needs. Research the organization and the job description to identify the key qualifications and responsibilities.

For instance, if the company emphasizes lean manufacturing and process improvement, highlight your relevant achievements in these areas:

Results-driven operations executive with 15+ years of experience driving lean manufacturing initiatives and continuous improvement efforts. Proven track record of reducing costs, optimizing production processes, and enhancing overall operational efficiency in fast-paced, global manufacturing environments.

Avoid using a generic summary that could apply to any operations role, such as:

Experienced operations professional seeking a challenging position in a dynamic organization
Skilled leader with a proven track record of success in various industries

To ensure your summary is tailored to the VP of Operations role, try using Targeted Resume to check if your resume includes the right skills and keywords for the specific job description.

2. Quantify your achievements to demonstrate impact

As a Vice President of Operations, hiring managers will be looking for candidates who have a proven track record of driving measurable results. To make your summary more impactful, quantify your achievements whenever possible.

For example, instead of simply stating that you improved efficiency, provide specific metrics:

Implemented lean manufacturing principles, reducing production lead times by 30% and increasing overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) from 75% to 92%
Spearheaded a global supply chain optimization initiative, resulting in a 15% reduction in inventory carrying costs and a 20% improvement in on-time delivery performance

Avoid using vague or unsubstantiated claims, such as:

Significantly improved operational efficiency and productivity
Consistently exceeded targets and expectations

After quantifying your achievements in your summary, use Score My Resume to receive instant feedback on your resume's overall impact and effectiveness in highlighting your key accomplishments.

Experience

Your work experience section is the most crucial part of your resume for a VP of Operations role. Hiring managers want to see that you have a track record of driving operational efficiency, leading teams, and impacting the bottom line. Follow these tips to write a compelling work experience section that showcases your leadership and operational expertise.

1. Highlight operational efficiency improvements

Emphasize projects where you streamlined processes, cut costs, or boosted productivity. Use specific metrics to quantify your impact. Compare these examples:

Managed supply chain and logistics
Oversaw inventory management system

Instead, showcase your achievements with numbers like this:

Cut inventory costs 15% by implementing just-in-time inventory management, saving $500K annually
Boosted warehouse productivity 25% and order fulfillment speed by 2 days through layout optimization

Having trouble quantifying your operational accomplishments? Try our Score My Resume tool which checks your bullet points for metrics and gives expert tips to improve them.

2. Showcase team leadership and development

Highlight your people management skills by citing how you've hired, trained, and led high-performing operations teams. Mention the size and functions of teams you've managed.

Hired, trained and led supply chain department of 15 managers and 45 warehouse staff. Improved employee engagement scores 30% through implementing supervisor training and incentive programs.

Also emphasize how you've collaborated cross-functionally with other departments to align operations with company goals.

Tailor your team leadership examples to the needs of the company. Analyze the job description with our Targeted Resume tool to see what team leadership skills this role requires.

3. Demonstrate cost savings and profitability impact

Companies look to their VP of Operations to optimize spend and boost the bottom line. Use your work experience bullets to show a track record of identifying cost saving opportunities and improving profitability, like:

Negotiated new contracts with 3PL providers, cutting logistics spend 20% and saving $1.5M per year
Implemented new demand forecasting system, reducing inventory on hand 10% and obsolete inventory write-offs 35%
Optimized COGS through strategic sourcing initiatives, improving gross margin 5% and profits by $3M

Beyond cost savings, look for other ways you've impacted key business metrics like revenue, market share, or customer satisfaction. These paint a fuller picture of your operational leadership.

4. Highlight progressively senior roles

Show your career progression into roles with expanded scope and responsibility. For each role, include the full scope of your accountability, such as:

Managed $XM operating budget and P&L for X business units
Led operations for $XM, Y sq ft distribution network spanning X regions/markets
Oversaw X-step supply chain from raw material sourcing through last-mile delivery

If promoted, make it stand out. Use the same company name but list progressive roles, like:

Atlas Industries
VP, Global Operations
2019-Present
[Bullets]

Director, North American Operations
2015-2019
[Bullets]

When highlighting a promotion, bold your titles to catch the hiring manager's eye. Our Score My Resume tool also checks for career progression and gives tips to showcase it effectively.

Education

Your education section is a key part of your resume, especially if you are a recent graduate or changing careers. It shows hiring managers that you have the necessary academic background and training for the role. Here are some tips to help you write an effective education section for a VP of Operations position.

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1. Put your education section near the top

If you are a recent graduate or your education is your strongest qualification, place the education section towards the top of your resume, just below your summary or objective statement.

For example:

Master of Business Administration (MBA)
University of California, Berkeley
Graduated: May 2022
Relevant coursework: Operations Management, Supply Chain Management, Business Strategy

However, if you have several years of relevant work experience, you can move the education section below your work history.

If you have a master's degree and a bachelor's degree, list your master's first, as it is the higher degree.

2. Include relevant coursework and projects

If you are a recent graduate, you can include relevant coursework, projects, or thesis work to show your expertise in operations management. This helps demonstrate your knowledge and skills to potential employers.

Some examples of relevant coursework for a VP of Operations might include:

Operations Management
Supply Chain Management
Business Process Improvement
Project Management
Data Analysis and Decision Making

Only include coursework if it is directly relevant to the VP of Operations role. Avoid listing general education courses or electives.

3. Keep it concise for senior-level positions

If you are a senior-level candidate with extensive work experience, your education section should be brief. Include only your degree, university name, and graduation year.

Here's an example of what not to do:

Master of Business Administration, Operations Management Concentration, ABC University, Graduated 1995
Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering, XYZ College, Graduated 1992
Relevant coursework: Operations Research, Quality Management, Facilities Planning

Instead, keep it short and sweet:

MBA, ABC University
BS, Industrial Engineering, XYZ College

You can leave off the graduation years if you prefer, to avoid potential age discrimination.

4. Consider including certifications

If you have relevant certifications, such as Six Sigma Black Belt or Project Management Professional (PMP), you can include them in your education section or in a separate 'Certifications' section.

For example:

Certifications
Six Sigma Black Belt, American Society for Quality (ASQ), 2020
Project Management Professional (PMP), Project Management Institute (PMI), 2018

Including certifications demonstrates your commitment to ongoing learning and professional development, which is valuable for a VP of Operations role.

Only include certifications from recognized industry organizations or institutions. Avoid listing online courses or workshops that do not result in a formal certification.

Action Verbs For Vice President of Operations Resumes

If you want to boost your vice president of operations resume, try using bullet points when mentioning your achievements or responsibilities in the work experience section. You can start each bullet point with a strong action verb that accurately describes your duties. This will not only help you improve your readability but also make you seem more accountable.

Each action verb should be highly related to your work, so you should stay away from vague and less descriptive words. Instead, check out the action verbs we’ve chosen for a vice president of operations resume. This way, you will enrich the vocabulary in your resume.

Action Verbs for Vice President of Operations

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Analyzed
Assigned
Contracted
Co-ordinated
Delegated
Evaluated
Exected
Planned
Prioritized
Recommended
Reorganized
Reviewed
Scheduled
Supervised
Managed
Guided

For more related action verbs, visit Leadership Action Verbs.

For a full list of effective resume action verbs, visit Resume Action Verbs.

Skills For Vice President of Operations Resumes

The vice president of operations is a crucial position that requires coordination, logical thinking, business acumen, and leadership skills. They must also control costs and resources for operations, so budgeting is another great skill to add to your resume. Additionally, you can include data analytics or data interpretation which are crucial for this role.

Yet, responsibilities for VP of operations vary greatly depending on the industry they work in. That’s why it is always pertinent to evaluate relevant job posts to identify skills you can add. You can also check our selection of skills for VP of operations below.

Cross-functional Team Leadership
Strategy
Business Process Improvement
Operations Management
Change Management
Executive Management
Business Strategy
Global Operations
Operational Excellence
Supply Chain Management
Vendor Management
Lean Manufacturing
Six Sigma
Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)
Continuous Improvement
Business Development
Strategic Partnerships
Product Development
Manufacturing
Manufacturing Operations

For more skills, visit Vice President of Operations Skills & Keywords.

How To Write Your Skills Section On a Vice President of Operations Resumes

You can include the above skills in a dedicated Skills section on your resume, or weave them in your experience. Here's how you might create your dedicated skills section:

How To Write Your Skills Section - Vice President of Operations Roles

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Skills Word Cloud For Vice President of Operations Resumes

This word cloud highlights the important keywords that appear on Vice President of Operations job descriptions and resumes. The bigger the word, the more frequently it appears on job postings, and the more 'important' it is.

Top Vice President of Operations Skills and Keywords to Include On Your Resume

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