Chief Operating Officer

Chief Operating OfficerKinect Solar sits at the intersection of two of the most consequential trends of our time: the build-out of U.S. renewable energy infrastructure and the modernization of industrial logistics. We are a fast-growing distribution and logistics company serving the renewable energy sector — moving solar modules, trackers, transformers, and battery energy storage systems (BESS) through a national network of warehouse and logistics partners. We are entering our next phase of growth and investing in the systems, processes, leadership, organizational structure, and operational discipline needed to scale effectively. For the right operator, this is a rare opportunity to build the operating system of a profitable, growing business at an inflection point — partnering with strong commercial leaders across two business lines, an experienced CFO, and a CEO committed to building this company the right way.We are hiring a Chief Operating Officer to build the operating backbone of Kinect Solar, owning operations, the systems and processes that make the company run, and the operating cadence that holds everything together. This leader will quickly assess the business, team, and operating model while supporting continued growth and business performance. The successful candidate will be comfortable "flying and fueling the plane at the same time," balancing day-to-day execution with organizational and operational improvements. Partnering closely with the CFO and the Sales Leaders for our two business lines (KIS and KL), the COO provides the operational rigor, commercial discipline, and infrastructure that allow the business to grow faster and more profitably.The COO will be responsible for developing and maintaining the enterprise operating framework, performance management processes, and systems required to support continued growth. The Sales Leaders drive revenue and customer relationships within their business lines; the COO owns the enterprise operating system within which both businesses run. The role is designed for a builder who leads through influence and structural authority and is energized by enabling the success of others.Operations LeadershipLead the operations organization across warehouse, logistics, inventory, fulfillment, and special projectsManage and optimize the contracted warehouse and 3PL network — carrier and partner selection, performance management, and network designDirect freight strategy for specialized cargo (transformers, BESS, trackers, modules), including heavy/oversized freight, permitting, hazmat handling for lithium-ion, and insuranceEstablish and own operational KPIs across logistics, warehouse, inventory, and fulfillment: on-time delivery, cost per shipment, damage rates, dwell time, inventory accuracy, claims ratio, and carrier performanceAssess organizational structure, talent, and operational ownership while integrating and scaling warehouse, transportation, logistics, inventory, and fulfillment operationsBusiness Development & Sales InfrastructureBuild the BD and sales infrastructure that supports both business lines — pipeline management, forecasting, CRM, deal desk, and the cadence that connects commercial activity to capacity and resource planningPartner with the Sales Leaders to translate their commercial strategies into repeatable, measurable processes — without owning the customer relationshipsOwn pricing, margin management, and deal-desk discipline as enterprise functionsBuild the data and reporting infrastructure that gives the executive team real-time visibility into pipeline, backlog, and conversionOperating System & CadenceOwn the enterprise operating cadence — weekly, monthly, and quarterly business reviews, KPI dashboards, and the rhythms that hold the company accountable to its planPartner with the CEO, CFO, and Board to translate strategic priorities into operating plans and quarterly objectivesBuild the operating framework, accountability structure, and decision-making processes required to scale the business. Serve as a thought partner to the Sales Leaders on operating efficiency, organizational design, and execution within their business linesProject Management & Cross-Functional ExecutionBuild and scale a project management function that supports increasingly complex customer projects.Establish project governance, operational handoffs, and cross-functional execution to ensure projects are delivered safely, compliantly, and on schedule.Technology & SystemsOwn operational systems strategy — WMS/TMS evaluation and implementation, CRM, deal desk tooling, and operational integrations across the tech stackPartner closely with the CFO on NetSuite and the broader ERP environment; NetSuite functional support reports to the CFO with a dotted line to the COO for operational prioritiesLead the IT Systems Product Manager and partner with corporate IT and shared services (under the CFO) on a unified, scalable technology environmentChampion data and analytics initiatives that create enterprise-wide visibility and lead major IT and operational transformation projectsCompliance, Regulatory & LegalBuild and lead the Compliance function as the business scales, ensuring operational, transportation, warehouse, safety, and renewable energy compliance requirements are proactively managedOwn federal and state regulatory compliance for battery storage and renewable energy products, including DOT hazmat (lithium-ion), state permitting for oversized loads, etc.Oversee in-house counsel for commercial agreements (supplier, customer, 3PL, carrier) and the deal desk legal review workflowPartner with the Sales Leaders on commercial contract strategy and own consistent legal and deal-desk discipline across the company's commercial activityLeadership & Organizational BuildLead and develop the operations organization while evaluating talent, organizational effectiveness, and opportunities to improve performance. Manage the relationship with offshore contractor partners supporting administrative and operational functionsServe as a strategic partner to the Board, CEO, and executive team; contribute to enterprise strategy and growth planningEmbody and reinforce Kinect Solar's culture and values15+ years of progressive leadership experience in operations, supply chain, or general management, with at least 8 years in a senior executive role (COO, SVP Operations, GM, or comparable)Demonstrated experience building and installing operating systems in a growth-stage business — KPIs, operating cadence, deal desk, planning processesExperience leading operations in a logistics or distribution business handling heavy industrial or renewable energy products (transformers, BESS, trackers, modules, or comparable)Proven track record leading IT and systems projects — WMS, TMS, ERP (NetSuite a plus), CRM — from strategy through implementationExperience managing a multi-site or contracted-warehouse network at scaleTrack record of leading through influence and structural authority — has built BD/sales infrastructure that sales leaders rely onExperience building or leading a compliance functionStrong executive presence and the ability to partner effectively with a CEO, Board, and senior executive peersDemonstrated success assessing, restructuring, and scaling organizations while balancing strategic leadership with hands-on operational execution.Experience building or leading formal project management functions, methodologies, or operational excellence initiativesHands-on experience with heavy/oversized freight, hazmat, and the regulatory frameworks that govern themDirect experience in renewable energy, transportation, logistics, warehousing, industrial distribution, infrastructure, or other operationally complex industries.Experience in a founder-led or PE-backed growth-stage businessPreviously served as COO or senior operations executive in a business with two or more commercial business linesExperience integrating multiple operational functions into a unified operating model during periods of growth or organizational changeEarned the trust of the Board, CEO, CFO, the Sales Leaders of both business lines, and the broader executive teamCompleted an organizational assessment and implemented improvements that strengthen accountability and scalability.Established a scalable project management framework and operating cadence. Strengthened compliance, technology, and reporting infrastructure. Delivered measurable operational improvements across logistics, warehouse, and fulfillment KPIsBuilt the operational platform to scale growth to double business in the next 3+ yearsIt's not just about our growth, but yours as well. We offer a highly competitive salary and benefits, along with several perks you might not expect from a small company.Competitive compensationPTO, sick, mental health days, and paid holidaysFully remote and flexible work environment and schedulesMinimal travelHealth, vision, dental, and life