Our client, is looking for a COO that will partner closely with ownership and executive leadership to evolve the organization into a disciplined, scalable, high-performance manufacturing enterprise. The client is a well established component manufacturing company, servicing the Pharmaceutical industry.
This is a unique opportunity to join a successful, privately owned manufacturing organization at a pivotal moment in its evolution. The COO will play a defining role in modernizing operations, building a scalable leadership structure, and helping guide the company through its next generation of growth and succession.
The ideal candidate is an experienced manufacturing executive with deep multi-site operational expertise, a strong engineering and operational background, and a proven ability to lead through change in a privately owned or family-owned manufacturing environment.
Key Responsibilities:
Operational Leadership & Execution
Lead all day-to-day operations across multiple manufacturing facilities, ensuring alignment with company objectives, customer requirements, and profitability targets.
Develop and execute a multi-plant operational strategy focused on scalability, standardization, and sustainable growth.
Transform a complex, geographically dispersed operation into a disciplined, high-performance, margin-generating system.
Drive accountability through standardized operational KPIs including OEE, on-time delivery, scrap, labor efficiency, inventory turns, and quality metrics.
Establish consistent operating practices and performance management systems across all facilities.
Manufacturing Excellence & Continuous Improvement
Lead Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and continuous improvement initiatives across all sites.
Optimize production scheduling, capacity planning, workflow, and resource utilization.
Identify and implement automation, technology, and process improvements that enhance productivity and reduce cost.
Drive a culture of operational discipline, problem-solving, and continuous improvement throughout the organization.
Supply Chain, Quality & Compliance
Oversee procurement, inventory management, logistics, and supplier performance across the enterprise.
Develop strategies to reduce supply chain risk, improve material availability, and optimize working capital.
Ensure all facilities meet quality, safety, environmental, and regulatory compliance standards.
Champion a culture of customer satisfaction, product quality, and operational reliability.
Lead corrective action, risk mitigation, and enterprise-wide quality improvement efforts.
Financial & Strategic Leadership
Own operational budgets, capital expenditures, cost-control initiatives, and margin improvement programs.
Partner with finance leadership on forecasting, budgeting, EBITDA improvement, and long-term operational planning.
Support strategic growth initiatives including acquisitions, integrations, facility expansions, and technology investments.
Collaborate with sales, engineering, and executive leadership to align operational capabilities with market demand and growth objectives.
Leadership, Coaching & Organizational Development
Directly lead and develop plant general managers, operations leaders, and functional operational teams.
Serve as a mentor and coach to emerging leaders within the organization, helping build a stronger and more scalable leadership bench.
Bring structure, objectivity, and operational discipline to a growing organization transitioning to its next phase of leadership.
Drive succession planning, leadership development, and organizational alignment across all operational functions.
Partner with HR on workforce planning, talent development, and organizational effectiveness initiatives.
Organizational & Transition Leadership
This role is central to the company’s planned leadership transition and future organizational structure. Over the next 24–36 months, the COO will:
Assume increasing responsibility for all operational functions across the enterprise.
Partner closely with current ownership and executive leadership to ensure continuity and knowledge transfer.
Provide visible leadership across all plant locations and operational teams.
Help implement the company’s strategic growth plan, including operational integration, technology investment, and leadership development.
Potentially evolve into a broader President-level role as part of the long-term succession plan.
Education
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Manufacturing, Business, or related field required.
MBA or advanced degree preferred.
Experience
15+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience.
10+ years in a senior executive role overseeing multiple manufacturing facilities in different geographic regions.
Demonstrated success leading operations for a multi-site manufacturing organization with substantial revenue scale (preferred experience supporting operations of $250M+ in combined sales).
Strong background in component manufacturing, industrial manufacturing, precision manufacturing, or a related engineered-products environment.
Proven track record driving operational standardization, productivity improvement, and margin expansion across multiple plants.
Experience implementing Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and enterprise-wide operational excellence programs.
Experience in privately owned, family-owned, or entrepreneurial manufacturing organizations strongly preferred.
Prior involvement in succession planning, organizational transformation, or executive transition environments is highly desirable.
