Chief Operations Officer (COO)

**Job Overview** The Chief Operations Officer (COO) will serve as a strategic partner to the President and current VP of Manufacturing, providing leadership and oversight to ensure the seamless execution of our manufacturing and supply chain strategies. Reporting directly to the CEO, the COO will champion the systematization of day\-to\-day operations in a high\-growth, mixed\-mode manufacturing setting, leveraging lean principles to optimize efficiency, reduce leadtimes, reduce waste, and enhance scalability. This role demands a leader with proven experience in scaling operations within revenue\-generating organizations exceeding $50M annually. Over the next three years, the role will expand to include oversight of Engineering, integrating it fully into the operational framework. Critically, the COO will play a pivotal mentoring role, cultivating the next generation of leaders to inherit and advance the company's operational expertise. This position is ideal for a seasoned executive excited to thrive in a family\-owned business, seeking a transformative opportunity to build enduring systems and teams, paving the way for their eventual transition to retirement or new challenges. **Key Responsibilities** **1\) Operational Leadership and Systematization** \- Lead the development and implementation of scalable operational systems, processes, and policies to support mixed\-mode manufacturing (custom and high\-volume production) in a high\-growth environment and drive product lead times down to industry\-leading levels. \- Oversee daily operations across manufacturing departments, ensuring alignment with production schedules, capacity planning, and resource allocation to meet aggressive growth targets. \- Oversee lean manufacturing initiatives to eliminate waste, improve throughput, and enhance overall equipment effectiveness (OEE), with a focus on CNC\-machining, robotic welding, powder coating, and heavy metal fabrication processes. \- Monitor and act with key performance indicators (KPIs) such as on\-time delivery, inventory turnover, production yield, and cost per unit, implementing data\-driven strategies to achieve or exceed benchmarks. **2\) Departmental Oversight** · **Operations:** Direct managers and production teams to optimize workflows, manage capital investments in equipment and technology, and ensure operational resilience against supply disruptions or demand fluctuations. Drive product leadtimes down to record lows and sustain those levels while growing. · **Supply Chain:** Collaborate with procurement, logistics, and vendor management to build a robust, agile supply chain that supports just\-in\-time inventory while mitigating risks in raw material sourcing for heavy\-duty components. · **Lean/Continuous Improvement:** Hold accountability of the Lean Director to ensure the proper focus and balance of cross\-functional Kaizen events, Six Sigma projects, and value stream mapping to foster a culture of ongoing enhancement and innovation in manufacturing practices. · **Quality:** Champion quality assurance programs, including ISO standards compliance, root\-cause analysis, and corrective action processes to maintain defect rates below industry\-leading thresholds. · **Safety:** Enforce comprehensive safety protocols, conduct regular audits, and promote a zero\-incident workplace in compliance with OSHA and industry regulations, prioritizing employee well\-being in high\-risk fabrication environments. · **Training:** Design and oversee training programs to upskill the workforce in advanced manufacturing techniques, safety practices, and lean methodologies, ensuring a competent and adaptable team. **3\) Strategic Expansion and Integration** \- Within three years of assuming the role, assume oversight of the Engineering department, integrating design, R\&D, and prototyping functions to accelerate product innovation and reduce time\-to\-market of new products. \- Partner with the executive team to develop long\-term operational strategies, including facility expansions, automation investments, and sustainability initiatives aligned with industry trends in heavy manufacturing, while embodying our values of integrity and accountability in all decision\-making. **4\) Leadership and Talent Development** \- Serve as a mentor and coach to emerging leaders across departments, providing hands\-on guidance to build their expertise in operational management, lean principles, and strategic decision\-making, with an emphasis on empowerment and respect. \- Identify high\-potential talent and create individualized development plans, preparing successors to assume COO\-level responsibilities and ensuring seamless leadership transitions. \- Cultivate a high\-performance culture that emphasizes accountability, collaboration, and innovation, while modeling ethical leadership and inclusivity in alignment with our family\-owned ethos. \- Represent operations in executive meetings, board discussions, and stakeholder engagements, articulating operational impacts on financial performance and growth objectives. **Qualifications** **Required Skillsets \& Experience** \- 15\+ years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing operations, with at least 10 years in senior roles (e.g., VP Operations, Plant Director) at companies with annual revenues of $50M or more. \- Proven track record in systematizing operations for mixed\-mode manufacturers in high\-growth settings, with demonstrated success in scaling production to mid\-sized levels, reducing leadtimes, and including hands\-on experience implementing Capex investments that yield large ROI (e.g., multi\-million\-dollar projects in automation, machinery, or infrastructure). \- Deep expertise in lean manufacturing methodologies (e.g., Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification preferred), including implementation in CNC\-machining, welding, fabrication, and finishing processes. **Core Competencies** \- Exceptional operational management skills, with a results\-oriented approach to driving efficiency, cost reduction, and quality improvements. \- Strong understanding of supply chain dynamics in heavy manufacturing and predictive analytics for demand forecasting. \- Strategic thinker with the ability to balance short\-term execution with long\-term vision, including facility and technology roadmaps that deliver measurable financial returns. \- Experience leading safety and training programs in industrial environments, with a focus on regulatory compliance and employee engagement. \- Outstanding mentoring and coaching abilities, evidenced by successful development of high\-potential leaders who have advanced to executive roles. \- Enthusiasm for contributing to a family\-owned business environment, where decisions are guided by core values of integrity, continuous improvement, accountability, respect, and empowerment. **Preferred Skills** \- Familiarity with heavy\-duty industrial products such as casters, wheels, and trailers, or analogous sectors (e.g., automotive, aerospace, or construction equipment manufacturing). \- Proficiency in advanced manufacturing technologies, including robotics, automation, and Industry 4\.0 principles. \- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence at all organizational levels and externally with suppliers and customers. \- Embody \& model the company’s core values of integrity, continuous improvement, accountability, respect, and empowerment. Pay: $175,000\.00 \- $200,000\.00 per year Benefits: * 401(k) * 401(k) matching * Dental insurance * Health insurance * Life insurance * Paid time off * Vision insurance Experience: * COO manufacturing: 6 years (Required) Work Location: In person