The VP of Operations keeps the business running — the engine room of execution. Here is what the role does, and how it relates to the COO.
What the role owns
A VP of Operations owns the running of a business's operations — the day-to-day processes, systems, supply and delivery, and operational teams that turn plans into delivered products or services. The role is focused on execution and efficiency: making operations run smoothly, reliably, and cost-effectively, and improving them over time. It is the engine room of the business, where strategy becomes consistent delivery.
A hands-on, executional role
VP of Operations is typically a hands-on leadership role — close to the detail of how the business runs, leading the teams that do the operational work, and solving the practical problems that arise. Strong operations VPs combine operational expertise with the leadership to build and run effective teams and the discipline to drive continuous improvement. Reliability and execution define the role.
VP of Operations versus COO
The distinction is largely one of scope and seniority. A COO typically sits at the executive table and owns operations strategically across the whole business, often with broad remit; a VP of Operations more often leads operations at an executional level, running the function day to day. In larger businesses a VP of Operations may report to a COO; in smaller ones, the VP of Operations is effectively the top operations leader.
What it means for hiring
Define whether you need a strategic operations executive (a COO) or an executional operations leader (a VP of Operations) — or, in a smaller business, someone who is both. Match the leader to the operational challenge: building operational capability, scaling it, or improving efficiency and reliability.
Hiring an operations leader?
We recruit COOs and VPs of Operations across beauty and consumer businesses.
Explore Executive Search →Frequently asked questions
What does a VP of Operations do?
They lead and run a business's operations day to day — the processes, systems, and teams that deliver the product or service reliably and efficiently — as a hands-on, executional leadership role focused on running and improving operations.
What is the difference between a VP of Operations and a COO?
Largely scope and seniority — a COO owns operations strategically across the whole business at the executive level, while a VP of Operations more often leads operations executionally, day to day. In smaller businesses one person may do both.
Related: What Does a COO Do? · How to Hire a COO · What Does a Chief Supply Chain Officer Do?
