Vice President of Operations ($TBD P&L)
MIDDLEBY
Founded in 1888 by Joseph Middleby and John Marshall in Chicago, The Middleby Corporation has evolved from a bakery supplier into a global leader in foodservice equipment, headquartered in Elgin, Illinois. As a publicly traded company (NASDAQ: MIDD) with approximately 10,722 employees, Middleby serves 97 of the top 100 U.S. foodservice chains with over 120 brands, including Viking, TurboChef, and Blodgett, through worldwide manufacturing and sales operations. Its diverse portfolio spans commercial foodservice equipment like conveyor ovens and fryers, premium residential appliances from brands like AGA and La Cornue, and industrial food processing solutions for baking and protein production. Strategic acquisitions, such as Viking Range (2013), Taylor Company (2018), and Kamado Joe (2021), have expanded its market presence, with residential revenues exceeding $1 billion.
Middleby emphasizes innovation, sustainability, and industry leadership, with facilities like the Middleby Innovation Kitchens showcasing advanced culinary technology. The company reported trailing twelve-month revenue of $3.87 billion as of September 2024, reflecting a 4.68% year-over-year decline, though it achieved a peak quarterly revenue of $1.03 billion in Q1 2023. Middleby continues to set industry standards through advancements in automation, ventless cooking, and eco-friendly solutions, maintaining a strong global presence across commercial, residential, and industrial markets. Tasked with leading the critical execution and operations for the Taylor business, the Vice President of Operations will assume full accountability of TBD. This leader will be responsible for execution and optimization across the operation related to service, distribution, and financial performance.
A Foundation you can build on
Getting a sense of the foundation that has been built prior to your arrival offers a lens through which you can see where your career may go.
Middleby
Founded in 1888 by Joseph Middleby and John Marshall in Chicago, The Middleby Corporation has evolved from a bakery supplier into a global leader in foodservice equipment, headquartered in Elgin, Illinois. As a publicly traded company (NASDAQ: MIDD) with approximately 10,722 employees, Middleby serves 97 of the top 100 U.S. foodservice chains with over 120 brands, including Viking, TurboChef, and Blodgett, through worldwide manufacturing and sales operations.
Middleby's Taylor Brand History
The Taylor Company, founded in 1926 by Charles Taylor in Beloit, Wisconsin, began as a small manufacturer of soft serve ice cream and frozen beverage equipment, revolutionizing the foodservice industry with its innovative freezer designs. Acquired by The Middleby Corporation in 2018, Taylor has grown into a global leader in commercial foodservice equipment, known for its high-quality soft serve machines, grills, and beverage systems used by major chains like McDonald’s and Dairy Queen. With a focus on reliability, automation, and energy efficiency, Taylor operates manufacturing facilities in Rockton, Illinois, and internationally, delivering advanced solutions to restaurants and convenience stores worldwide while maintaining its legacy of pioneering foodservice technology under Middleby’s expansive portfolio.
A Stand Out In Food Service
The Middleby Corporation and its Taylor brand distinguish themselves in the foodservice industry through exceptional market penetration and operational excellence, delivering innovative, high-quality solutions to a global clientele. Taylor, acquired in 2018, bolstered Middleby’s dominance specifically in soft serve and beverage equipment, with its precision-engineered products integral to chains like McDonald’s and Dairy Queen. Their operational excellence shines through streamlined global manufacturing, rigorous quality control, and facilities like the Middleby Innovation Kitchens, which showcase advancements in automation, ventless cooking, and sustainable designs, ensuring efficient, reliable, and eco-friendly solutions that set industry standards and drive unparalleled customer satisfaction worldwide.
Scale
Middleby, with over 120 brands, commands a 15-20% share of the global commercial foodservice equipment market, serving 97 of the top 100 U.S. foodservice chains and generating $3.85 billion in trailing twelve-month revenue as of May 2025, with its commercial segment leading the $8.22 billion North American market, projected to grow at a 5.1% CAGR through 2030.
Our Take On Middleby
Performance
Middleby is an explosively growing organization. Its leadership team is not interested in status quo or maintenance. Rather, they wish to continue the intelligent expansion of the business from a top and bottom line perspective, personnel and team growth, and product portfolio diversification and growth. Middleby hires aspirational, high-performing leaders who align with the company's expectation for continued change and healthy growth.
Integrity
Middleby's leadership team embodies strength in character. From the CEO through the entire organization, this team is constantly encouraged and expected to do what is right with candor, without compromise. The executive team is honest, forthcoming, and transparent and fully understands the value in establishing trust inside and outside the organization.
Speed
Middleby's leadership team moves quickly. Decisions and progress are made with tremendous velocity, an imperative characteristic of a high-growth, vertically integrated organization. Middleby embodies an entrepreneurial culture, where leaders have the autonomy to drive the business forward in the most nimble and agile way.
