Jobs › Barry-Wehmiller

Sr. Vice President, Operations & Supply Chain

Barry-Wehmiller · Phillips, WI · Full time

Posted Sep 10, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

Apply at Barry-Wehmiller

Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a large operations transformation you led. What changed, and how do you know it lasted?

What they are checking: Whether their results held up after the initial push, which is the real test of transformation leadership.

Barry-Wehmiller talks about people-centric leadership. Tell me about a time a hard business decision affected people and how you handled it.

What they are checking: Whether they can make tough calls while treating people with genuine care, which this culture expects.

How have you built continuous improvement into a culture so it does not depend on you?

What they are checking: Whether they create lasting capability in others rather than running improvement through personal heroics.

Tell me about a supply chain disruption you managed. What would you do the same and what would you change?

What they are checking: Crisis judgment and the honesty to reflect on what they learned.

How do you develop your next layer of leaders across sites you cannot visit every week?

What they are checking: Whether they have a real approach to building talent in a distributed global organization.

What would you do

BW Papersystems has a global operations footprint. How would you assess it in your first six months, and what would you look at first?

What they are checking: Whether they diagnose before they prescribe, and know which signals reveal the health of a global network.

Your plant leaders want more capital, and the business wants lower cost. How do you set priorities?

What they are checking: Whether they can make capital tradeoffs transparently and bring leaders along instead of dictating.

How would you build trust with sales and engineering leaders who blame operations for late deliveries?

What they are checking: Whether they can lead across functions and turn blame into shared planning.

About the work

How is running operations for engineered-to-order capital equipment different from running a high-volume plant?

What they are checking: Whether they understand project-based manufacturing, long lead times and lumpy demand rather than applying a volume playbook.

How do you decide whether to make or buy, and where to place work across sites in different countries?

What they are checking: Strategic thinking about footprint, cost, capability and risk at the level this role owns.

What metrics would you put in front of the executive team every month for operations and supply chain?

What they are checking: Whether they focus on a few measures that drive decisions rather than a crowded dashboard.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at Barry-Wehmiller from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

Practice this out loud

The full job description

As published by Barry-Wehmiller.

About Us: BW Papersystems, part of the Barry-Wehmiller Group, builds capital equipment that transforms paper into products for consumers - every day, around the world. We offer innovative technologies, service and parts, and years of global experience in corrugating, finishing; slitting and packaging; stationery; bookbinding and security documents. Customers rely on our machines to produce and convert items such as corrugated boxes, folding cartons, passports, notebooks, copy paper, board, and coated and other specialty papers. For more information, visit bwpapersystems.com. Barry-Wehmiller is a diversified global supplier of engineering consulting and manufacturing technology for the packaging, corrugating, sheeting and paper-converting industries. By blending people-centric leadership with disciplined operational strategies and purpose-driven growth, Barry-Wehmiller has become a $3 billion organization with nearly 12,000 team members united by a common belief: to use the power of business to build a better world. Job Description: The Senior Vice President (SVP) of Operations & Supply Chain is a pivotal leader responsible for shaping, executing, and transforming the BW Papersystems' global operations footprint. This leader oversees manufacturing, supply chain, logistics, planning, procurement, and continuous improvement, ensuring the organization delivers world‑class performance, resilience, and customer satisfaction. This role is central to advancing our long‑term strategy. The SVP is a catalyst for operational excellence, embedding structured improvement methodologies (Lean, Kaizen, Business Systems) and driving measurable, sustainable gains across safety, quality, delivery, cost, and inventory. As a key member of the executive leadership team, this leader influences enterprise priorities, investment decisions, and cultural evolution. Key Responsibilities Strategic Leadership & Enterprise Alignment • Develop and execute a unified operations and supply chain strategy that accelerates growth, strengthens service excellence, and optimizes cost and risk. • Align operational and supply chain objectives with enterprise strategy, financial targets, and long‑range planning. • Serve as a trusted advisor and strategic partner on the executive leadership team, shaping platform strategy, capital allocation, and policy deployment. Operational Excellence & Transformation • Champion a culture of continuous improvement and institutionalize The BW Way as a foundational operating system. • Drive breakthrough improvements across SQDCI metrics through disciplined problem‑solving, value stream optimization, and cross‑functional collaboration. • Lead enterprise transformation initiatives that modernize operations, elevate performance, and enhance organizational agility. • Foster a data‑driven culture that empowers teams to make informed decisions and solve complex operational challenges. Supply Chain Strategy & Execution • Oversee end‑to‑end global supply chain operations, including demand planning, sourcing, procurement, materials management, logistics, distribution, and supplier performance. • Strengthen supply chain resilience through optimized network design, strategic supplier partnerships, and robust inventory and fulfillment strategies. • Ensure supply chain capabilities support customer commitments, growth objectives, and operational continuity. Talent Development & Organizational Capability • Build, inspire, and scale a high‑performing global operations and supply chain leadership team. • Mentor and develop leaders in continuous improvement, structured problem‑solving, and enterprise business systems. • Advance succession planning, workforce development, and cross‑functional capability building. • Partner closely with engineering, commercial, finance, and people functions to ensure seamless integration of operational plans and customer outcomes. Qualifications & Experience • Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Engineering, Business, or related field; MBA strongly preferred. • 15+ years of progressive executive leadership in operations and supply chain within industrial, manufacturing, or complex multi‑site environments. • Demonstrated success leading enterprise‑level transformation, P&L‑linked performance improvement, and structured continuous improvement programs. • Experience navigating global supply networks, advanced business systems, and high‑mix/low‑volume or engineered‑to‑order environments. • Visionary leadership with exceptional communication, collaboration, and stakeholder management capabilities. Technical & Leadership Competencies • Expertise in Lean, Kaizen, structured problem‑solving, and enterprise operating systems. • Strong analytical acumen and fluency in performance metrics and operational dashboards. • Proven ability to lead complex change, shape culture, and inspire innovation across diverse teams. • Executive presence with the ability to influence at all levels and drive alignment across functions. Location & Travel Requirements • Strong preference for candidates local to — or willing to relocate to — Phillips, WI or Baltimore, MD. • Candidates not local to Phillips, WI or Baltimore, MD must be willing to travel approximately 75% of the time. • Candidates local to either location should expect travel requirements of up to 50% • Estimated on‑site allocation: 50% Phillips, WI | 30% Baltimore, MD | 20% other BWP locations. ​ #LI-KF1 At Barry-Wehmiller we recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job. If your experience is close to what you see listed here, please still consider applying. We know that our differences often can bring about innovation, excellence and meaningful work—therefore, people from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply to our positions. Please let us know if you require reasonable accommodations during the interview process. ​ Barry-Wehmiller is an equal opportunity employer. M/F/D/V This organization uses E-Verify. Applicants may be subject to pre-employment screening which may include drug screening, reference checks, employment verifications, background screening and/or skills assessments. Company: BW Papersystems

Apply at Barry-Wehmiller