Vice President, Operations

THE OPPORTUNITY

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Vice President, Operations leads Rebel’s manufacturing and production operations through the next phase of growth, with responsibility for the performance, efficiency, and scalability of manufacturing, maintenance, and quality.

This is a highly visible, hands-on leadership role with a strong presence on the production floor in Red Deer and direct involvement in production planning, workforce leadership, capacity management, and operational execution. The VP, Operations ensures production targets, customer commitments, and financial objectives are consistently achieved, while embedding a strong culture of safety in daily operations.

THE ORGANIZATION

Founded in 2000 and headquartered in Red Deer, Alberta, Rebel Vac Systems is a leading North American manufacturer of hydro-excavation and industrial vacuum equipment. For more than 25 years, Rebel has built a reputation for innovation, quality, customization, and dependable equipment designed to operate in some of the most demanding environments across North America.

Rebel manufactures a broad range of hydrovac and vacuum systems, including its Renegade and Hurricane product lines and certified dangerous-goods vacuum systems, supported by a full-service parts, repair, retrofit, and maintenance operation. Its equipment serves customers across the utility, municipal, environmental, industrial, oilfield, mining, construction, and infrastructure sectors.

The company is in a period of significant growth. In 2024, Rebel consolidated its operations into a new 61,000 square foot facility on more than 12 acres in Red Deer, and it now operates more than 110,000 square feet across two Red Deer locations. In 2025, Rebel acquired CCI Industrial Coatings, now Rebel Industrial Coatings, bringing abrasive blasting, powder coating, and protective finishing capabilities in-house.

With a team of more than 120 people in production and administration, Rebel was named one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies in 2026, recognizing excellence in strategy, operational execution, culture, and sustained growth.

Vision

To create industry-leading vacuum systems that help customers unearth the potential in every project and help fuel the growth of North America’s expanding infrastructure.

Values

Rebel is guided by seven principles: striving to be remarkable rather than average; collective success through combined effort; the vision to think three steps ahead and the courage to execute the first one; decisions that blend decisive action with careful consideration; a willingness to pivot without losing balance; refusing to accept complacency; and putting the right people in the right environment.

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RESPONSIBILITIES

Manufacturing & Production Leadership

• Lead all manufacturing and production operations with a relentless focus on safety, quality, productivity, and delivery performance.
• Maintain a strong and visible presence on the shop floor, working closely with supervisors and production teams.
• Drive production output, throughput, labour efficiency, and capacity utilization.
• Ensure manufacturing schedules are achieved while meeting quality standards and customer commitments.
• Identify and remove operational bottlenecks impacting productivity, quality, or delivery.
• Develop and implement continuous improvement initiatives that increase efficiency and profitability.
• Establish clear production metrics and hold leaders accountable for results.
• Build and develop a high-performing operational leadership team.

Operational Leadership & Strategy

• Develop and execute operational strategies aligned with company growth objectives.
• Partner closely with the COO and leadership team on operational priorities and performance goals.
• Ensure the organization has the people, processes, equipment, and infrastructure necessary to support growth.
• Drive a culture of accountability, execution, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
• Contribute to annual business planning, budgeting, and capital investment decisions.

Quality, Safety & Continuous Improvement

• Champion a culture of quality throughout the organization.
• Ensure compliance with applicable safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements.
• Lead efficient manufacturing processes and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Monitor operational KPIs and use data to drive performance improvements.
• Promote and maintain a strong safety culture across all operational areas.

Leadership & Workforce Development

• Coach, mentor, and develop supervisors, managers, and operational leaders.
• Foster collaboration across manufacturing, engineering, sales, finance, and human resources.
• Support workforce planning and succession development initiatives.
• Promote employee engagement, accountability, and performance throughout the operation.

QUALIFICATIONS

• A bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Manufacturing, Business Administration, or a related field is preferred; equivalent education, training, or relevant work experience will also be considered.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive manufacturing or operational leadership experience.
• Proven experience leading complex manufacturing operations with direct responsibility for production performance.
• Experience within heavy equipment, industrial equipment, manufacturing, fabrication, transportation equipment, or engineered products environments.
• Demonstrated success improving production output, operational efficiency, and manufacturing performance.
• Strong understanding of efficient manufacturing processes and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience leading production, supply chain, quality, procurement, and maintenance functions.
• Experience developing and managing budgets, capital projects, and business performance initiatives is an asset; equivalent experience demonstrating financial and operational decision-making will be considered.
• Hands-on leadership style with a willingness to spend significant time within the operation.
• Exceptional communication, leadership, and team-building skills.

KEY COMPETENCIES

• Hands-On Leadership: Is most effective when immersed in the operation and working alongside the team on the shop floor.
• Production Performance: Has a proven track record of increasing manufacturing output and improving operational performance.
• Accountability: Builds accountability throughout the shop floor and holds leaders to clear production metrics.
• Practical Problem Solving: Identifies and removes the bottlenecks that affect productivity, quality, and delivery.
• Strategic Contribution: Contributes to strategy, planning, and capital decisions while staying engaged in day-to-day execution.
• Safety and Quality Focus: Embeds safe work practices and a culture of quality in daily operations.