Chief Operating Officer

Job Description About Exapta Exapta helps progressive farmers improve profitability, soil health, and long‑term sustainability through specialized equipment, inspections, modifications, and technical expertise. The company has built a strong reputation through trusted customer relationships, deep industry knowledge, and a team that is committed to helping customers succeed. Exapta is entering an important stage of growth and is investing in additional leadership capacity to support the next chapter of the business. The Opportunity Exapta is seeking a Chief Operating Officer to serve as the CEO’s trusted partner, second‑in‑command, and leader of the company’s operating rhythm. The COO will partner closely with the CEO and work alongside the General Manager, R&D Manager, and Sales Manager to strengthen the organization, improve alignment, support strong execution, and position the company for long‑term success. The successful candidate will be a steady, confident leader who brings clarity, consistency, and follow‑through. They will know how to build trust, support leaders, create accountability, and help the organization grow while preserving the culture and relationships that make Exapta unique. Why This Role Exists As Exapta has grown, many decisions, questions, and organizational challenges have naturally flowed through the CEO. While that approach helped build a successful company, continued growth requires greater leadership capacity across the organization. The COO will help create that capacity by improving communication and coordination across departments, supporting organizational development, strengthening accountability, and ensuring company priorities move forward effectively. The goal is to strengthen the leadership team, support the organization’s continued growth, and create the structure necessary for long‑term success. Key Responsibilities Leadership Team Alignment and Organizational Effectiveness The COO will help align and strengthen the company’s leadership team, including the General Manager, R&D Manager, and future sales leadership. Responsibilities include: Aligning the leadership team around company goals, priorities, and strategic initiatives Creating clarity around decision‑making, ownership, and accountability Supporting leaders in achieving departmental and company objectives Coaching and developing leaders to strengthen capability and confidence Facilitating productive leadership meetings and planning discussions Helping leaders navigate challenges, opportunities, and change Building trust, collaboration, and communication across the leadership team Strengthening leadership effectiveness throughout the organization Ensuring commitments are followed through and business results are achieved Organizational Leadership and Business Performance The COO will help ensure the company operates effectively and that priorities are executed consistently across the organization. Responsibilities include: Partnering with the General Manager to support operational success Identifying organizational bottlenecks and opportunities for improvement Improving communication and coordination between departments Helping resolve issues that impact multiple functions of the business Supporting execution of strategic and operational priorities Establishing systems and processes that improve consistency and follow‑through Aligning resources, priorities, and initiatives with company objectives Recruiting and Talent Development The COO will help ensure Exapta has the talent and leadership capacity necessary to support future growth. Responsibilities include: Identifying organizational talent needs Leading recruiting efforts for key positions Supporting hiring decisions and onboarding processes Developing leadership development and succession planning initiatives Creating opportunities for employee growth and advancement Supporting employee engagement and retention Building a strong leadership bench for the future Sales Leadership and Accountability The COO will partner with sales leadership to create greater visibility, consistency, and accountability within the sales function. Responsibilities include: Supporting the hiring and development of future sales leadership Reviewing sales performance, forecasts, and pipeline activity Improving visibility into sales metrics and performance Creating accountability around sales goals and commitments Supporting the development of scalable sales processes Ensuring alignment between sales commitments and operational capabilities Helping build a predictable and sustainable revenue engine Cross-Functional Coordination and Execution The COO will serve as the primary connector across departments, helping ensure teams work together effectively and company priorities move forward. Responsibilities include: Coordinating efforts across operations, sales, R&D, inventory, purchasing, and leadership Clarifying ownership when responsibilities overlap Removing barriers that slow progress or create confusion Supporting execution of strategic initiatives Improving communication and collaboration across functions Helping departments work together effectively in support of shared goals What Success Looks Like Within the first 12 months: The leadership team operates with greater trust, alignment, and effectiveness The General Manager, Director of R&D, and Sales Manager have greater clarity, support, and confidence in their roles Communication and collaboration across departments improve Organizational priorities move forward more consistently and efficiently Recruiting, onboarding, and leadership development processes become stronger Sales performance is more visible, measurable, and predictable Cross‑functional initiatives move forward with fewer obstacles and delays Employees feel informed, supported, and confident in the direction of the company The organization operates with greater clarity, consistency, accountability, and confidence The CEO has greater capacity to focus on strategy, growth, customer relationships, and long‑term opportunities Qualifications The ideal candidate will bring: Experience as a COO, President, Integrator, Chief Administrative Officer, Division President, Business Unit President, or similar senior executive leadership role Demonstrated success leading and developing leaders across multiple business functions Strong operational and business acumen Experience improving organizational effectiveness through people, systems, and leadership Proven ability to strengthen existing teams through periods of growth and change Strong communication, coaching, and relationship‑building skills Experience recruiting, hiring, and developing talent Experience driving cross‑functional alignment and organizational accountability The ability to balance accountability with support and leadership development Sound judgment, strong decision‑making skills, and a collaborative leadership style A track record of building trust while improving organizational performance Experience in agriculture, manufacturing, equipment, distribution, or related industries is preferred but not required. This role offers a base salary of $160,000 to $185,000, performance‑based bonus opportunities, and an equity opportunity. For the right candidate, this role may provide a pathway to future executive leadership opportunities based on performance, leadership impact, and long‑term contribution to the business. Location and Travel This position is based onsite in Kansas and requires regular interaction with employees, customers, and leadership. Travel will be required periodically for customer engagement, industry events, trade shows, and business priorities. #J-18808-Ljbffr