President/Chief Operating Officer

**Chicago Area Candidates Only

COMPANY OVERVIEW

Our client is a private equity-backed, vertically integrated manufacturing business serving OEM customers across a diverse range of industrial and specialized end markets. The Company offers comprehensive engineering and manufacturing capabilities, delivering highly engineered solutions through an integrated operating model.

Built on a foundation of technical expertise, quality, and customer partnership, the business has established a strong market position and is entering an exciting phase of growth. With ongoing investments in technology, capacity, and organizational capabilities, the Company is focused on accelerating growth, enhancing operational performance, and building long-term enterprise value.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Company is seeking a President and Chief Operating Officer to serve as the CEO’s key strategic and operational partner. This is a high-impact executive opportunity for a proven general management leader to drive profitable growth, strengthen operational execution, and build the capabilities necessary to scale the business.

The President and COO will have broad enterprise responsibility, leading strategic planning, commercial development, operations, and organizational effectiveness. The successful candidate will combine a data-driven, process-oriented approach with an entrepreneurial mindset and hands-on leadership style.

This individual will play a critical role in shaping the Company’s next phase of growth, partnering closely with the CEO, Board, and investment partners to enhance profitability, drive enterprise value, and position the business for its next stage of development. The opportunity includes meaningful long-term potential for CEO succession.

REPORTING STRUCTURE

Reporting directly to the CEO, the President and COO will oversee Finance, IT, Sales, Operations, Quality, and Engineering. The individual will assess and strengthen the leadership team, organizational structure, and infrastructure to support continued growth.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Partner with the CEO and Board to develop and execute the Company’s strategic growth plan, annual budgets, and capital investment priorities.
• Drive profitable growth through commercial expansion, customer development, operational excellence, and strategic initiatives.
• Strengthen sales and business development capabilities, including pipeline management, CRM implementation, and key customer relationships.
• Lead operational performance improvement initiatives focused on productivity, efficiency, quality, margin enhancement, and scalability.
• Implement a structured management operating system with clear KPIs, accountability, and continuous improvement processes.
• Assess, develop, and build a high-performing leadership team and organizational structure aligned with future growth.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and operational discipline.
• Partner with the CEO, Board, and investors to drive financial performance, enterprise value creation, and long-term strategic objectives.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 20+ years of progressive leadership experience, including demonstrated success leading a middle-market manufacturing business or complex industrial operation.
• Proven track record of driving double-digit revenue and profitability growth.
• Strong understanding of advanced manufacturing, engineering-driven businesses, and complex production environments.
• Demonstrated success in general management, operations, and/or commercial leadership.
• Experience building high-performing teams, driving organizational change, and implementing operational improvements.
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to identify new markets, develop customer relationships, and accelerate revenue growth.
• Private equity experience preferred, including partnership with CEOs, Boards, and investors.
• Entrepreneurial, hands-on leadership style with strong strategic, analytical, and financial capabilities.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to inspire, influence, and lead across all levels of an organization.
• Undergraduate degree required.

LEADERSHIP PROFILE

The ideal candidate is a commercially oriented, operationally disciplined, and entrepreneurial executive who combines strategic vision with hands-on execution. A humble, collaborative leader, this individual will build trust across the organization, strengthen accountability, and drive sustainable growth while preserving the Company’s entrepreneurial culture.

• The successful candidate will possess the leadership maturity, business acumen, and operational expertise to serve as the CEO’s trusted partner and ultimately assume broader enterprise leadership.