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COO - PE Backed Manufacturer and Distributor

Cincinnati, Ohio Permanent $240,000 - $285,000 per year View Job Description
The Chief Operating Officer (COO) will report to the Chairman and CEO and lead day to day operations in charge of the P&L for all operating divisions, build the operating infrastructure and systems, and ensure the talent and management team has the bench talent for succession planning and growth.
  • Chief Operating Officer role leading a PE backed Industrial Company
  • Opportunity to lead growth through organic and M&A

About Our Client

Our client for the Chief Operating Officer opportunity is a Private Equity backed manufacturer and distributor of industrial safety products. This $100M company is looking to grow aggressively through a combination of organic growth and M&A. They serve a diverse range of customers including but not limited to - electrical utilities, power generation, nuclear, mining, infrastructure, aerospace, industrial, and more.

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) will report to the Chairman and CEO and lead day to day operations in charge of the P&L for all operating divisions, build the operating infrastructure and systems, and ensure the talent and management team has the bench talent for succession planning and growth. The COO will own the production and fabrication facilities, branches, operating divisions and lead operations, supply chain and procurement, field support, safety, quality, and engineering. The COO will also lead M&A integration for newly acquired businesses and operations. The COO also must drive commercial execution and partner closely with the CCO. This COO will be on the succession plan to the CEO's seat.

Job Description

  • Own the P&L for all operating divisions, with plant and branch leadership reporting to this role; hold each location and facility to budget, margin, and performance standards.
  • Partner with the CEO and executive team to translate platform strategy into an annual operating plan with clear targets, metrics, and accountability
  • Establish a single, consistent operating cadence - weekly branch/factory and WIP reviews, monthly operating reviews, and one common performance dashboard across all sites.
  • Implement structured quoting review process to reduce misalignment between quoting and realized gross profit
  • Improve production and labor planning, lead times, scheduling, customer service, supply chain and capacity planning and utilization
  • Drive plant and branch improvement on operational maturity implementing lean principles (5S, visual management, and performance boards)
  • Reduce scrap, improve production flow, reduce work in process and slow moving inventory
  • Build a centralized procurement function creating a scalable procurement and logistics network supporting a multi division and multi site footprint
  • Drive safety with an emphasis on being industry leading maintaining corporate wide safety programs, training and tracking ensuring OSHA compliance
  • Work with the CEO, CFO, Leadership team, and private equity partners on M&A and integration building an operational integration playbook
  • Work with the CFO on an ERP selection and implementation consolidating current separate ERPs
  • Recruit, development and retain talent across the operations organization
  • Partner with the CFO on budgeting, capital allocation, capital projects and costs

The Successful Applicant

  • Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Business or related
  • 20 years of experience in operations, field service, and manufacturing within a b2b manufacturing and distribution organization
  • 5 years of experience in operations leadership, division president, or Sr. Executive leadership roles leading multisite operations
  • Proven track record and experience working within direct sales, distribution, and dealers increasing profitable growth and increasing market share driving operational excellence
  • Experience leading operational integrations within a buy and build platform
  • Leading operations within a private equity backed manufacturing company highly preferred
  • Experience setting up processes, systems, and organizational structure within a fast growing environment
  • Ability to be strategic while also being hands on and tactical when required
  • Ability to work with all levels of management and team members internal and external
  • Business minded with a strong entrepreneurial mindset
  • Strong communication skills, time management skills, and a customer focused mindset.
  • Strong work ethic and high attention to detail
  • Ability to travel 40-50% across the Americas



What’s on Offer

Competitive base salary $240,000 - $290,000 depending on experience, annual bonus, long term incentive (equity) car allowance, full benefits, 401K and match, vacation, holidays, and relocation assistance if needed. Opportunity to lead operations for a private equity backed manufacturer and distributor in high growth mode. Succession candidate to the CEO.

Contact
John Wu
Quote job ref
JN-102026-7135114

Job summary

Function
Operational & General Management
Subsector
Operational & General Management Subsector
Industry
Industrial
Location
Cincinnati
Contract type
Permanent
Consultant name
John Wu
Job reference
JN-102026-7135114

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