Chief Operating Officer

About the Role and Company

Our client is a well-established component manufacturer serving the pharmaceutical industry, seeking a Chief Operating Officer (COO) to collaborate closely with ownership and senior leadership. This pivotal leadership role will guide the organization’s transformation into a scalable, high-performing manufacturing business. The position is on-site in Morristown, NJ, with relocation assistance available for qualified candidates.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations across multiple manufacturing plants, ensuring alignment with corporate goals, customer needs, and profitability targets.
• Formulate and implement a multi-facility operational strategy emphasizing scalability, standardization, and sustainable growth.
• Convert complex, geographically dispersed operations into a consistent, high-efficiency, and margin-focused system.
• Drive accountability through standardized KPIs such as OEE, on-time delivery, scrap rates, labor efficiency, inventory turnover, and quality metrics.
• Standardize operating procedures and performance management across all locations.
• Lead enterprise-wide Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Optimize production workflow, scheduling, capacity, and resource utilization, implementing automation and technology upgrades to boost productivity and reduce costs.
• Manage supply chain functions including procurement, inventory control, logistics, and supplier performance; develop risk mitigation strategies to improve material availability and working capital.
• Ensure quality, safety, environmental, and regulatory compliance at all facilities, promoting a culture focused on customer satisfaction and product reliability.
• Lead corrective actions, risk mitigation, and organization-wide efforts to enhance quality standards.
• Control operational budgets, capital expenditures, cost savings initiatives, and margin optimization efforts.
• Collaborate with finance teams for forecasting, budgeting, EBITDA improvement, and long-range operational planning.
• Support growth initiatives such as acquisitions, integration, expansions, and technology investments.
• Partner with sales, engineering, and leadership to align operational capabilities with market demand and growth objectives.
• Direct and develop plant managers, operations leaders, and functional teams; mentor emerging leaders to strengthen leadership depth.
• Lead organizational alignment, succession planning, leadership development, and workforce planning in partnership with HR.
• Play a central role in the company’s leadership transition over 24–36 months, gradually assuming responsibility for all operational functions to ensure continuity and knowledge transfer, with the potential to evolve into a broader President role.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (industrial or mechanical) required; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum 15 years of progressive leadership roles in manufacturing.
• At least 10 years in senior executive positions managing multiple manufacturing sites across different regions.
• Demonstrated success in overseeing multi-site operations with combined sales preferably exceeding $250 million.
• Extensive experience in component, industrial, precision manufacturing, or engineered-product environments.
• Proven ability to drive operational standardization, boost productivity, and improve profit margins across facilities.
• Experience implementing Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and operational excellence throughout organizations.
• Strong preference for candidates with backgrounds in privately owned, family-operated, or entrepreneurial manufacturing businesses.
• Experience participating in succession planning, organizational change, or executive leadership transitions is highly valued.