Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Company Overview

We are a Fort Lee, New Jersey-based importer and distributor of flat-rolled steel. For more than 30 years, our company has served customers nationwide through longstanding international supplier relationships, disciplined logistics and inventory management, and responsive service.

Role Overview

We are seeking a bilingual Korean-English senior operating executive to serve as our Chief Operating Officer. Reporting to the President and working closely with the Chairman, the COO will own day-to-day operations, lead the department heads, and serve as a strategic partner in shaping and executing the company's direction.

Key Responsibilities

• Own day-to-day operations and serve as the primary decision point for cross-functional operating matters.

• Lead, coach, and develop department heads; establish clear objectives, accountability, and decision rights.

• Translate ownership's priorities into operating plans, budgets, KPIs, milestones, and measurable targets.

• Coordinate supply chain, customs and logistics, inventory, processing, customer service, budgeting, working capital, risk, and compliance.

• Partner with sales leadership to strengthen commercial processes and talent development.

• Support M&A preparation and transaction work with ownership and advisors.

• Represent the company with suppliers, processors, customers, and partners.

Core Qualifications

• Professional fluency in spoken English and Korean.

• Substantial executive operating leadership as a COO, President, General Manager, VP of Operations, or comparable senior leader, with company-wide or business-unit accountability.

• Executive responsibility for P&L performance, budgets, cost management, working capital, and operating results.

• Track record of leading department heads and overseeing several business functions.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent education and executive experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a privately held, family-owned, or founder-led business.

• Experience in import, distribution, trading, manufacturing, logistics, or another inventory-intensive operating model.

• Knowledge of steel, metals, or similar products, together with experience managing overseas supplier relationships.

• Experience supporting M&A preparation or transactions, and implementing or improving ERP systems.

Employment Details

• Work Hours: Full-time, Monday-Friday, primarily on-site in Fort Lee, NJ, with additional availability and periodic travel as business needs require.

• Compensation: Base salary of $150,000–$350,000 annually, based on experience and fit, plus eligibility for a discretionary annual bonus.

• Benefits: Medical, dental and vision insurance; paid vacation, sick days and holidays; daily lunch allowance; fitness reimbursement; and service awards.