Our client is a privately held manufacturer of conveyors and material handling systems for applications in press rooms, material handling, packaging, plastic injection molding, sanitary environments requiring wash down capabilities, and distribution center automation. They are a progressive and well-run company and have been consistently profitable since inception. Innovation, quality, reliability, and consistency – these are just some of the hallmarks that make the company great for both its customers as well as its employees.
Challenges:
The heart of the challenge for the Chief Operating Officer is to capitalize on market opportunities that will increase the company’s revenues while improving profitability levels. The COO will take on full authority and responsibility for overall management including all business development activities of the company. Reporting directly to the CEO, the individual in this new position within the company will exercise ultimate strategic responsibility for the company’s forward progress. Our client is looking for a leader who has proven experience and demonstrated leadership in an organization that has successfully increased revenue growth through strategic business development initiatives in marketing and sales and generated sustained organic growth via new products and services, markets, and customers. This person must have the vision to recognize marketplace needs which possess viable strategic opportunities and be willing to respond quickly to fill those needs.
Opportunity:
The COO role has been created as a long-term investment strategy in the company’s growth and vitality, with the opportunity that this position can succeed to the CEO role. Our client wants to continue its tradition of developing leading technologies for customers in key market segments; creating a winning, dedicated team that will produce sustained annual revenue growth and profitability results; and resolving to make the company a continually improving and progressive organization to work for in the industrial sector. The COO will have a much broader opportunity than a traditional operations executive to impact the company’s future strategic direction. This position is entrusted with achieving revenue growth by providing insight that will expand the company’s market presence and penetration and continue to grow the customer base. The COO is also responsible for the continuing operational and performance excellence that will guide the company in attaining its profitability objectives. The COO will also have the opportunity to serve as the lead mentor for the other talented future leaders of the company. Most importantly, the COO will have the opportunity to be at the forefront of the industry, building the company into one that will be in a class by itself.
Job Scope:
- Company Executive Leadership directly managing two Division Presidents, the CFO, and the Director of Human Resources. Each division has its own Marketing, Sales, Operations and Engineering functions.
- Lead Company’s Strategy Formulation.
- Lead Company’s Tactical Execution.
- Develop plans to increase near- and long-term revenues and operating margins, which will achieve total revenue growth and profitability performance objectives.
- Perform organizational structure review.
- Assess the company’s business development strategy, direction, focus and methods.
- Evaluate the overall operational performance of the businesses.
- Develop divisional performance objectives and goals for CEO approval.
- Achieve financial performance objectives that attain or exceed ownership expectations.
Experience / Education Required:
- Undergraduate degree is required; MBA preferred.
- Twenty plus years of experience with business-to-business industrial product manufacturer(s) including durable goods, with full P&L responsibility for a significant period.
- Has organically grown a business significantly for an extended period.
- Has experience and demonstrated capability at achieving or exceeding revenue and profitability objectives.
- Has led – directly or indirectly – strategic sales and marketing efforts with positive, quantifiable results in the North American market.
- Has experience managing in a multiple sales channel environment.
- Has successfully integrated technology into an organization’s operational initiatives.
- Has a working knowledge of lean concepts and is capable of leading a ‘lean’ culture.
- Knowledgeable in financial management.
- Food industry experience a plus.
