Job Description

WHAT FLEXWARE DOES

Manufacturers are the backbone of innovation—powering industries, improving lives, and keeping the world moving forward. That’s where Flexware Innovation comes in. Behind every great product is a complex web of machines, technology, data, and people working together to make it happen. Flexware partners with manufacturers to guide their strategy and execute the solutions that bring it to life.Founded in 1996, Flexware’s teams of talented advisors and engineers leverage technology across industrial controls, manufacturing systems integration, software development, data engineering and management, and the ever-evolving landscape of emerging technologies.Flexware is made up of problem-solvers, builders, and collaborators who care deeply about doing work that matters. We roll up our sleeves, dive into the details, and create solutions that stand the test of time, because our customers count on us to keep production moving.Today, Flexware is growing with fresh momentum and purpose. We’re investing in innovation, in our people, and in a culture where you can do your best work while living a balanced, meaningful life

WHAT YOU WILL DO

The VP, Manufacturing Operations is the execution backbone of Flexware’s digital manufacturing stack, ensuring that MES, MOM, and manufacturing execution platforms are delivered with excellence, scaled profitably, and strategically aligned with both Inductive Automation and the broader Hitachi ecosystem. The Vice President, Manufacturing Operations is a senior executive role responsible for owning, scaling, and delivering Flexware Innovation’s Manufacturing Operations capabilities across ISA-95 Level 3, collaborating closely with Sales, Industry Leaders, other Service Line leaders, and senior leadership. This role serves as the enterprise authority for MES/MOM, Ignition-based SparkSCADA and SparkMES solutions, custom MES solutions, and enterprise systems integration spanning ERP, MES, MOM, and other manufacturing-related functional applications. This leader is accountable for P&L performance, delivery excellence, solutions management and stewardship, Hitachi and partner alignment including Inductive Automation and others, and solution standardization across regulated and non-regulated manufacturing environments. The VP ensures that Level 3 solutions are robust, secure, compliant, and scalable, while acting as the critical connective layer between industrial automation (Levels 0–2) and industrial data, analytics, and AI (Level 3.5). The role blends deep manufacturing domain expertise, technical services leadership, and business acumen, with a strong emphasis on building a repeatable, solutions-enabled services organization aligned to Flexware’s operating model and the broader Hitachi ecosystem.Here are some of the technologies and responsibilities that you will be responsible for:

• Own and evolve Flexware’s Manufacturing Operations (Level 3) strategy, roadmap, and execution model, aligned to ISA-95 and ISA-88 standards.
• Define and own the standard operating model for Level 3 delivery across discrete, batch, and hybrid manufacturing environments.
• Serve as the executive owner for all Level 3 solutions, including:
• SparkMES (Flexware’s Ignition-based MES)
• SparkSCADA (Flexware’s Ignition-based SCADA/HMI)
• Custom MES and MOM implementations
• Integration with ERP, WMS, LIMS, QMS, CMMS, PLM, and scheduling systems
• Ensure architectural alignment and clean handoffs between other Business Units such as Industrial Automation & Controls (Levels 0-2) and Smart Manufacturing and Industrial Data Management (Level 3.5):
• Final architectural and solution-model authority for Level 3 solutions
• Define and own strategy for L3 talent and capacity planning
• Act as the executive business owner and delivery sponsor for SparkMES and SparkSCADA solutions and ensure Spark offerings remain competitive, supportable, and aligned with both client needs, and partner platform evolution.
• Partner with Product Management and Engineering to:
• Define and execute solution roadmaps
• Balance solution repeatability, configurability, and client-specific extensions
• Manage technical debt, cybersecurity posture, and platform scalability
• Establish clear governance for when to deploy solution-based vs. custom MES solutions, ensuring consistency and margin discipline.
• Own lifecycle management, versioning strategy, validation approach, and long-term support models for Ignition platform-based solutions.
• Serve as the executive owner of strategic Manufacturing Operations partnerships, with Hitachi Operating Companies and Inductive Automation (Ignition) as primary examples.
• Act as Flexware’s senior point of accountability for:
• Partner alignment and roadmap coordination
• Technical enablement and certification strategy
• Joint solution development and accelerators
• Co-selling and go-to-market collaboration
• Ensure Ignition-based technologies are used intentionally and consistently across Spark solutions, custom solutions, and hybrid delivery models.
• Represent Flexware in partner executive forums, industry events, advisory councils, and roadmap discussions.
• Act as a key Manufacturing Operations leader within the broader Hitachi ecosystem to enable TSS (Total Seamless Solutions), aligning Level 3 capabilities with enterprise initiatives.
• Collaborate with Hitachi Digital, Hitachi Energy, JR Automation teams, and other Hitachi operating companies to:
• Integrate MES/MOM capabilities into end-to-end digital manufacturing solutions
• Align Manufacturing Operations architectures with Lumada data, analytics, and AI services
• Support joint pursuits and co-innovation initiatives
• Help define Flexware’s role and differentiation within One Hitachi Manufacturing Operations offerings, ensuring clarity of ownership and protection of Flexware IP.
• Define and govern reference architectures for Manufacturing Operations ecosystems, including:
• MES/MOM and batch execution
• SCADA/HMI and supervisory control
• Electronic batch records and genealogy
• Quality, compliance, and traceability
• ERP and enterprise integration patterns
• Ensure solutions meet regulatory, cybersecurity, integration, and scalability requirements across industries.
• Own delivery performance across all Level 3 engagements, including Revenue, Gross Margin, Utilization, Quality, and Schedule adherence
• Establish strong governance for project execution, risk management, and escalation.
• Lead and develop high-performing teams of:
• Solution and MES Architects
• Ignition Developers
• Full stack developers
• Integration Engineers
• Program and Delivery Managers
• Collaborate with Managed Services and leadership to define L3 managed services offerings.
• Ensure seamless transitions from sales to project delivery, operations, and managed services.
• Collaborate with Industry Leaders, Sales, and Finance, Operations, and HR to develop and manage annual revenue, margin, capacity plans, and human capital management.
• Drive margin expansion through reuse, standardization, product leverage, and delivery efficiency.
• Serve as executive solution authority during complex sales pursuits and strategic accounts and act as executive sponsor for key Manufacturing Operations clients.
• Partner with Industry Principals and Sales leadership to shape large-scale Manufacturing Operations programs ($1M–$10M+).
• Work closely with peer leaders across Automation, Smart Manufacturing, Product, Managed Services, Owners Rep, and Industry Verticals.
• Ensure Manufacturing Operations capabilities integrate cleanly into broader digital transformation initiatives.
• Up to 50% travel, primarily for strategic client engagements, partner alignment, and internal leadership activities.

**Please note that we are not interviewing candidates that require sponsorship now or in the future**

WHAT YOU MIGHT HAVE DONE BEFORE

Flexdogs are a rare breed of engineers They come from varied backgrounds, but typically have some of the following traits:

• Received a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or related discipline (Master’s preferred).
• 10 - 15+ years in Manufacturing Operations, MES/MOM, or industrial systems integration.
• 5+ years in senior leadership roles with P&L accountability.
• Deep experience with Ignition-based platforms, MES/MOM systems, and PLM/ERP integration.
• Proven success in scaling delivery organizations and product-enabled services.
• Experience in regulated manufacturing environments is strongly preferred.
• Executive leadership and team development
• Manufacturing systems architecture
• Product and services operating models
• Financial and operational management
• Client-facing executive presence

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected status.