Position Summary

Douglas Drilling & Blasting, Inc. is seeking a strategic, results-oriented Vice President / General Manager to lead and oversee all aspects of the company's operations across Virginia and surrounding markets. Reporting directly to executive leadership, this individual will be responsible for driving operational performance, business growth, financial results, safety excellence, and customer satisfaction throughout the drilling, blasting, rock excavation, and specialty services business.

The VP/GM will provide leadership for project execution, sales and business development, financial management, fleet and equipment operations, regulatory compliance, and talent development. This executive role requires a hands-on leader with deep expertise in drilling, blasting, quarry operations, heavy civil construction, mining, or related industries.

The ideal candidate understands both the strategic and operational aspects of a highly specialized contracting business and has a proven track record of growing revenue, improving profitability, building teams, and cultivating long-term customer relationships.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Business Growth

• Own the overall P&L performance for Douglas Drilling & Blasting operations, including revenue, profitability, overhead, equipment utilization, and cash flow.
• Develop and execute growth strategies that expand market share throughout Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and surrounding regions.
• Identify new opportunities in construction blasting, quarry services, rock excavation, mining support, utility projects, road construction, and infrastructure development.
• Evaluate market trends, competitive positioning, and emerging technologies to support continued growth.
• Establish annual operating plans, budgets, forecasting models, and performance objectives.

Operational Leadership

• Oversee all field operations to ensure projects are completed safely, efficiently, on schedule, and within budget.
• Lead project management, dispatch, equipment planning, drilling and blasting operations, and field support functions.
• Ensure proper scheduling and utilization of personnel, drilling equipment, support vehicles, explosives inventories, and subcontractor resources.
• Review operational performance metrics and implement corrective actions to improve productivity and profitability.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across project execution, fleet management, reporting, and operational processes.

Safety, Compliance & Risk Management

• Champion Douglas Drilling & Blasting's commitment to safety as the company's highest priority.
• Maintain compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations, including MSHA, OSHA, ATF, DOT, and environmental requirements.
• Ensure proper management of explosive storage, transportation, handling, and blasting operations.
• Lead risk management initiatives and implement proactive safety programs throughout the organization.
• Oversee investigations, corrective action plans, and continuous improvement efforts related to incidents or near misses.
• Ensure accurate documentation, permits, certifications, and regulatory reporting requirements are maintained.

Client Relations & Business Development

• Build and maintain strong relationships with general contractors, developers, quarry operators, mining companies, municipalities, transportation agencies, and industrial clients.
• Serve as the executive point of contact for key accounts and strategic projects.
• Support estimating, proposal development, pricing strategy, contract negotiations, and project pursuits.
• Expand recurring business opportunities and strengthen long-term customer partnerships.
• Represent Douglas Drilling & Blasting at industry conferences, trade associations, community events, and networking functions.

Financial & Commercial Management

• Review and approve major capital expenditures, fleet investments, subcontract agreements, and commercial commitments.
• Monitor project profitability, revenue forecasts, backlog, billing, collections, and cash management.
• Evaluate project performance through WIP reporting, job costing, productivity metrics, and financial analysis.
• Drive disciplined contract management, claims avoidance, and change order execution.
• Identify opportunities to increase operational efficiency and improve margins.

Leadership & Talent Development

• Lead and mentor project managers, blasters, drill operators, estimators, mechanics, field supervisors, and support staff.
• Foster a culture centered on safety, accountability, teamwork, integrity, and operational excellence.
• Develop succession planning initiatives and strengthen leadership pipelines across the organization.
• Support recruiting, retention, training, and workforce development efforts.
• Align field operations, sales, estimating, maintenance, and administrative functions around company goals.

Qualifications

Industry Experience

• 15+ years of progressive leadership experience within drilling and blasting, quarry operations, mining, heavy civil construction, rock excavation, aggregate production, explosives services, or related industries.
• Demonstrated experience managing large-scale operations with multiple crews, projects, and geographic territories.
• Strong technical understanding of drilling methods, blasting operations, rock excavation, aggregate and quarry production, explosives management, and heavy equipment operations.
• Experience with large infrastructure, transportation, utility, industrial, energy, commercial, or mining-related projects preferred.
• Knowledge of federal and state regulations governing blasting and explosives operations.

Financial & Business Leadership

• Proven experience with full P&L responsibility.
• Strong understanding of budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management, equipment costing, and operational financial reporting.
• Track record of growing revenue, increasing profitability, and improving operational performance.
• Experience evaluating capital equipment investments and fleet utilization strategies.

Operational Excellence

• Demonstrated success leading safety-focused organizations with strong operational discipline.
• Experience managing distributed field operations and mobile workforces.
• Proven ability to improve productivity, standardize processes, and implement performance metrics.
• Strong understanding of project scheduling, equipment utilization, labor productivity, and operational planning.

Leadership Competencies

• Proven ability to lead and develop diverse teams across field and office environments.
• Strong executive presence with exceptional communication and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to influence stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• High emotional intelligence and a collaborative leadership style.
• Results-driven with strong problem-solving and decision-making capabilities.

Education & Credentials

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Mining Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.
• Equivalent industry experience will be strongly considered.
• MBA is a plus but not required.
• Blaster's License, MSHA certifications, PMP, PE, or other relevant industry certifications are advantageous.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel throughout the region as needed.

Why Douglas Drilling & Blasting?

Douglas Drilling & Blasting has built a reputation for delivering safe, dependable, and high-quality drilling and blasting solutions across the Mid-Atlantic region. This is a unique opportunity for an accomplished executive leader to shape the future growth of a respected industry leader while making a lasting impact on operations, people, and performance.

Location: Winchester, VAReports To: President / Executive Leadership TeamTravel: Regional travel required throughout Virginia and surrounding markets.