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Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Multi-Site Manufacturing, Supply Chain & Distribution

Position Overview

We are seeking a hands-on, strategic Chief Operating Officer to lead end-to-end operations for a growing, private equity-backed manufacturing and distribution business. Reporting to the CEO, the COO will oversee manufacturing, assembly, supply chain, procurement, quality, logistics, and distribution across domestic and international locations.

This executive will translate business strategy into disciplined execution, strengthen operational infrastructure, and build the capabilities needed to support continued growth. The ideal candidate combines strong manufacturing and financial acumen with experience leading both internal operations and international third-party manufacturing partners.

The COO will partner closely with commercial, product development, engineering, and finance leaders to improve profitability, introduce new products, and scale operations while preserving quality, craftsmanship, and an entrepreneurial culture.

Key Responsibilities

Enterprise Strategy & Operational Execution

• Develop and execute a multi-year operations strategy aligned with business growth, customer commitments, and financial objectives.
• Translate strategic priorities into capacity, manufacturing network, technology, talent, and capital investment plans with clear ownership and milestones.
• Establish consistent operating reviews, performance dashboards, and accountability across locations.
• Partner with the CEO and CFO on annual budgets, forecasting, long-range planning, and board reporting.

Multi-Site Manufacturing & Operational Excellence

• Lead safety, quality, productivity, cost, capacity utilization, and on-time delivery across manufacturing, assembly, and distribution facilities.
• Coach and hold facility leaders accountable for measurable performance improvements.
• Apply Lean principles, process standardization, automation, and continuous improvement to increase efficiency and scalability.
• Evaluate manufacturing footprints and make-versus-buy decisions to balance cost, capacity, quality, and service.
• Build consistent operating disciplines while respecting the specialized capabilities and culture of each facility.

Global Supply Chain, Procurement & Distribution

• Own strategic sourcing, procurement, supplier performance, inventory management, transportation, fulfillment, and distribution.
• Manage international suppliers and contract manufacturing partners, including relationships in Asia.
• Strengthen supplier quality, delivery, cost competitiveness, and capacity while reducing supply risk.
• Improve material availability, lead times, logistics costs, and working capital.
• Oversee domestic and international shipping and coordinate applicable trade and customs requirements.

Sales, Inventory & Operations Planning

• Lead a disciplined Sales, Inventory & Operations Planning (SIOP) or integrated business planning process.
• Align demand forecasts with production, supplier capacity, inventory, and financial commitments.
• Use scenario planning to respond to demand fluctuations, supply constraints, and growth opportunities.
• Improve forecast accuracy, customer service, inventory turns, and cash generation.

New Product Introduction & Engineering Partnership

• Lead the operational transition of new products from engineering designs into sourcing, manufacturing, assembly, and distribution.
• Establish launch processes, stage gates, ownership, and readiness requirements.
• Partner with engineering on manufacturability, product cost, supplier readiness, tooling, capacity, and quality.
• Deliver successful launches that balance speed-to-market, cost, and reliability while protecting existing production commitments.

Quality, Safety & Compliance

• Establish and sustain an effective quality management system across internal facilities and external manufacturing partners.
• Lead applicable ISO certification efforts, audit readiness, corrective actions, and continuous improvement.
• Strengthen supplier quality controls, process consistency, and product reliability.
• Promote a culture of safety and accountability across all locations.
• Engage directly with key customers and distributors to address quality concerns and build confidence in operational performance.

Systems, Data & Financial Performance

• Develop the operations technology roadmap, including ERP/MRP capabilities, planning tools, dashboards, and process controls.
• Improve data accuracy, visibility, and decision-making across facilities.
• Partner with finance to improve product costing, gross margins, productivity, inventory, and working capital.
• Evaluate capital investments using clear business cases and return-on-investment analysis.

Leadership & Organizational Development

• Build, develop, and retain a high-performing team of facility leaders and functional managers.
• Clarify organizational responsibilities, decision authority, goals, and performance expectations.
• Strengthen succession planning and leadership development.
• Foster collaboration across operations, sales, engineering, product development, and finance.
• Serve as a trusted operational advisor to the CEO and contribute to board and investor discussions as appropriate.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of progressive operations leadership experience, including significant responsibility for multi-site manufacturing and supply chain.
• Prior experience as a COO, Senior Vice President, Vice President of Operations, or equivalent executive leader.
• Experience overseeing both in-house manufacturing or assembly and outsourced production.
• Demonstrated experience managing international supply chains and manufacturing partners, including Asia.
• Proven success improving productivity, quality, delivery, margins, and working capital in a growing business.
• Strong ownership of SIOP or integrated business planning.
• Experience leading new product introductions, strategic sourcing, supplier development, and manufacturing process improvements.
• Working knowledge of quality management systems, ISO standards, and continuous improvement.
• Strong financial acumen, including product cost, gross margin, budgeting, capital allocation, and investment analysis.
• Experience using ERP/MRP systems and operational analytics to drive performance.
• Demonstrated ability to develop leaders and build accountability across geographically dispersed teams.

Preferred Background

• Experience in a private equity-backed, founder-led, or entrepreneurial manufacturing business.
• Background in automotive, performance aftermarket, metal fabrication, engineered products, industrial equipment, public safety, defense, or other quality-critical manufacturing environments.
• Experience with high-mix production, international operations, acquisitions, or operational integration.
• Experience presenting to boards, investors, and executive leadership teams.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, operations, supply chain, business, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience considered.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or higher, or comparable practical experience, strongly preferred.

Leadership Style

The successful candidate will be an action-oriented executive who moves comfortably between strategic planning and hands-on problem-solving. This leader will earn credibility with executives, facility teams, and skilled trades through sound judgment, clear communication, and consistent follow-through.

A strong sense of urgency, attention to detail, and commitment to people development are essential, along with the ability to introduce structure while preserving the culture and expertise that make the business successful.

Location & Travel

Based at a primary U.S. operating location, with regular travel to domestic facilities, international sites, and manufacturing partners.