VP of Manufacturing / Operations

CONFIDENTIAL RETAINED SEARCH | MEXICO LIFE SCIENCES

Search Reference: TNF-MX-VPM-2026 | Multi-Site Operations Leadership Mandate, Mexico Life Sciences

ABOUT THIS SEARCH

Top Notch Finders has been retained on an exclusive and strictly confidential basis to identify a VP of Manufacturing / Operations for a client in Mexico’s medical device, biotech, pharmaceutical, and techbio sector. To protect the interests of our client and of every candidate who engages with us, the identity of the company is disclosed only to qualified candidates under a confidentiality agreement. All inquiries and applications are received and managed solely by Top Notch Finders.

POSITION SNAPSHOT

• Company profile: Medical device or pharmaceutical manufacturer in Mexico’s border manufacturing corridor.
• Reports to: Chief Operating Officer / Country Manager.
• Location: Northern border manufacturing corridor (Baja California / Chihuahua region); specifics disclosed to qualified candidates.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The VP of Manufacturing / Operations leads multi-site production operations, owning full P&L accountability for manufacturing, driving continuous improvement, and ensuring compliance with U.S. and Mexican regulatory frameworks while scaling operations to meet nearshoring-driven demand.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Direct multi-site production, planning, and logistics processes to ensure operational excellence and equipment uptime.
• Own the Operations P&L, including CAPEX planning and budget management.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives using Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and Kaizen methodologies.
• Ensure full compliance with ISO 13485, FDA 21 CFR Part 820, and applicable Mexican regulatory requirements.
• Establish and lead a zero-accident, safety-first operational culture across all facilities.
• Manage the full supply chain to guarantee optimal material flow and inventory optimization.
• Define, implement, and monitor strategic operational KPIs across all plant sites.
• Navigate USMCA rules-of-origin requirements and evolving U.S. tariff policy impacts on production economics.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• 8-10+ years of senior manufacturing leadership experience in medical device or pharmaceutical manufacturing.
• Proven experience scaling, not just maintaining, a Mexican manufacturing operation.
• Deep knowledge of ISO 13485, FDA 21 CFR Part 820, and quality management systems.
• Fluent English required; USMCA rules-of-origin literacy essential.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, industrial management, or a related field; MBA preferred.
• Demonstrated P&L and CAPEX management experience.

CONFIDENTIALITY AND HOW TO APPLY

This is a discreet, retained engagement. Your candidacy will never be presented to any organization without your explicit prior authorization, and no application will be visible to the hiring company at this stage. Accomplished manufacturing operations executives are invited to submit a resume in confidence, in English or Spanish, through the Top Notch Finders website. Please reference search code TNF-MX-VPM-2026 in your submission. Do not include patient-identifiable, trial-blinded, or other confidential clinical or proprietary information of any kind in your application materials. Only candidates whose backgrounds align closely with the mandate will be contacted.