THE OPPORTUNITY: We Are Conducting an Executive Search for a VP Manufacturing for a San

The opportunity: We are conducting an executive search for a VP Manufacturing for a San FranciscoBay Area company that will become the construction industry leader in solutions to global warming through zero net energy “green” building methods and materials. The companyis offering a rare opportunity for a highly experienced manufacturing manager to create a green/clean-tech factory from ground up. Seeking someone with experience in manufacturing in the United States in an efficient and modern manufacturing environment, preferably in the high tech (hardware) manufacturing sector or secondarily in the building products industry. Experience working in manufacturing for companies like Dell, Apple, Ikea, etc is a plus. Client is also interested in candidates from the following industries: automotive, building, and shipping.Need someone who is very entrepreneurial, self-motivated, self-directed, and can hit the ground running. Position reports directly to CEO. Board is willing and able to put together the right package for the right candidate. Company is focused on commitment to becoming part of solution to global warming through the manufacturing of net zero energy housing and commercial structures.

/ Please do NOT answer with “SEE RESUME” because it will make it very difficult to get you an interview. Client will read your answers and resume before making a decision to interview. Please make sure to put your answers in the blank boxes on the right hand side of the questionnaire. Please do not make any changes to the format or questions. Thanks!

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BASIC QUESTIONS:
This position will be headquartered in the San FranciscoBay Area. Board is willing to relocate the right candidate. But, working remotely is not an option. Where do you currently live?
If you do not already live in the San FranciscoBay area, then are you flexible to relocate? If yes, then please explain why you would relocate to the area. If no, then please do not complete this form.
Prefer someone to start in the position as soon as possible. When would you be available to start?
Are you currently employed?
Why did you leave or why are you considering leaving your most recent position?
Board is willing and able to put together the right package for the right candidate. The focus is on hiring the best candidate. This is a key position, reporting directly to the CEO. Compensation includes base, bonus, stock options, 401k and full benefits package. What are you looking for in terms of compensation? (Please break it down between base, bonus, and equity. I want to know your minimum and your ideal. What is important to you? If you are flexible, then just say that you are flexible. But, I need to know some type of a range or at least know what ballpark we are in. Thanks! Also, Client would really like to know your comp history—W2s over the last couple of years.)
This is senior management position reporting directly to the CEO. However, you will only have a small team reporting to you initially. Need someone that can roll up their sleeves and do whatever it takes to get the job done, while building out a team. Do you meet these requirements? Can you do the work as well as manage others doing it? Please provide examples of situations where you have done both.
The VPof Manufacturing will be responsible forfactory selection and design, equipment procurement, sourcing logistics, P&L cost controls, MRP, hiring and training staff (you’re employee #1 in manufacturing group), set up factory process and procedures, QA/QC. Candidates must have previous experience managing these functions and a small, growingteam. Prefer someone that can bring some people on board that you have worked with previously. MUST have someone who can build a top grade team and who can ensure that the team has the best possible talent (A players) at each level. Structure comp & incentive plans. Coach and keep top talent and remove non-performers efficiently. Do you meet these requirements? If no, then please do NOT complete this form. Client will not interview anyone without this experience.If yes, then please answer the following questions:
1)What functions do you have experience managing?
2)Please give some specific examplesof some teams that you built or rebuilt.
3)Do you already know of some people that you could bring on board quickly? (If yes, then make sure to mention it—just don’t give specific names. This will really help you to get an interview with the CEO.) / PLEASE TYPE YOUR ANSWER TO EACH QUESTION NEXT TO THE CORRESPONDING NUMBER. THANK YOU.
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CEO prefers candidates with small and large company experience. Ideal candidates will have gone through the high growth and scalability issues of a startup or high growth stage company. Need someone who enjoys the entrepreneurial atmosphere of a small company, but has been through the experience of scaling up an enterprise to significant organization size and revenues.Experience working in a dynamic (i.e. “startup”) environment is preferred as well as a successful track record building a product from early adoption through market share leadership. Do you meet these requirements? If yes, then please explain. Make sure to give at least one specific example. Be as specific as possible (e.g. approximate revenues when you started v. when you left; number of employees when you started v. when you left, number or type of products/features when you started v. when you left, etc.)
POSITION REQUIREMENTS:
Must have held a position within last 2 years as Vice President of Manufacturing or Product Development (or equivalent) responsible for manufacturing in an efficient and modern manufacturing environment, preferably in the high tech (hardware) manufacturing sector or secondarily in the building products industry (both sectors would be a winner).Do you meet these requirements? If no, then please do NOT complete this form. If yes, then pleaseanswer the following questions:
1)Are you currently or have you been within the last 2 years a VP of Manufacturing or Product Development (or equivalent) with responsibility for manufacturing in an efficient and modern manufacturing environment, preferably in the high tech (hardware) manufacturing sector or secondarily in the building products industry? If no, then please do not complete this form. If yes, then please continue to answer the questions listed below.
2)Please state your employer’s name and url.
3)Briefly describe what you were responsible for manufacturing.
4)What was your title?
5)What were your employment dates for position? (month/year started v. month/year left position or current date if still employed)
6)How many years of experience do you have in total as a VP of Manufacturing or Product Development (or equivalent)?
7)How many years of experience do you have in total for manufacturing in an efficient and modern manufacturing environment, preferably in the high tech (hardware) manufacturing sector or secondarily in the building products industry? / PLEASE TYPE YOUR ANSWER TO EACH QUESTION NEXT TO THE CORRESPONDING NUMBER. THANK YOU.
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Need someone with experience in manufacturing in the United States in an efficient and modern manufacturing environment, preferably in the high tech (hardware) manufacturing sector or secondarily in the building products industry. Experience working with companies like Dell, Apple, Ikea, etc is a plus. Client is also interested in candidates from the following industries: automotive, building, and shipping.Do you meet these requirements? If no, then please do not complete this form. If yes, then please explain. Briefly describe what you have experience manufacturing (e.g. circuit board, screen, handheld device, computers, building products, etc.) Where were the manufacturing plant(s) located?
Need someone that can assist in the selection and design of the R&D/fabrication location and building. Need someone that can design an efficient factory layout for flexible manufacturing. Need someone that can set up factory procedures: identifying processes, equipment, and methods for cost reduction. Do you meet these requirements? If no, then please do not complete this form. If yes, then please explain. Make sure to give a specific example or two.
Need someone who can participate on the R&D team to ensure design for manufacturability of the architecture and engineering plans. Background and training in Lean Manufacturing and Total Quality Management needed. Need someone with MRP experience. Do you meet these requirements? If no, then please do not complete this form. If yes, then please explain. Make sure to give a specific example or two.
Need someone with experience setting up sourcing, logistics, vendor relations and QA/QC. Must have a proven track record of managing product development projects within timeframe, budget, and scope is required. Do you meet these requirements? If no, then please do NOT complete this form. Client will not interview anyone without this experience.If yes, then please answer the following questions:
1)Briefly describe what you manufactured.
2)Where was the manufacturing facility located?
3)Describe the extent of your involvement in designing or redesigning the plant(s).
4)What is the time period that you worked on it? (Please give specific dates, month/year you started v. when you finished.)
5)Explain what you did to reduce costs.
6)Explain what you did to ensure quality.
7)What sourcing did you do?
8)What were the end results? Did you stick to the original budget and time frame?
9)What would you have done differently if you were to do it again? / Example #1:
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Need someone with experience procuring equipment to transition plant from manual to semi-auto to full automation. Do you meet this requirement? If no, then please do not complete this form. If yes, then please explain. Make sure to give a specific example or two.
Need someone with experience driving the investigation and implementation of 3-D CAM/CAD design, planning and production software to optimize efficiency and cost of production. Do you meet this requirement? If no, then please do not complete this form. If yes, then please explain. Make sure to give a specific example or two.
BS in Industrial Engineering or Manufacturing Management with a graduate degree preferred. However,CEO is more focused on hiring someone who is very smart, gifted and innovative. Someone who can develop, execute and meet or exceed a plan and specific metrics. Do you meet these requirements? If yes, then please explain. What is your education?
PERSONAL SUMMARY:
This position reports to the CEO. She prefers working collaboratively, creating a production roadmap as a team player, ensuring the objectives are clearly outlined and understood by the individual; and then she empowers the individual to independently execute the plan. She expects the individual to keep her informed of progress, constraints and re-evaluation of the roadmap as necessary. Individual must be able to communicate openly and honestly with the CEO when in need of help or to alert her of potential problems. She is seeking a VP of Manufacturing who is highly entrepreneurial, passionate for the company’s core values, demonstrates a high level of integrity and strives for excellence. Candidate must be able to move in a fast paced, ever-changing start up environment. She will hire someone who can hit the ground running.Is this management style appealing to you? Why? Please describe your management style and work ethics.
Corporate culture is very collaborative, creative, visionary and team oriented. There is open communication and exchange of new ideas. Team is focused on commitment to becoming part of solution to global warming through the creation of net zero energy structures. Is this environment appealing to you? Why?
Please list for me in order of importance the factors that are going to determine which position you accept next.
What work accomplishment are you most proud of?
Tell me about someone who has been in the news within the last decade that you admire. Why do you admire this person?