Chief Operating Officer
A well-established, employee-owned industrial distributor and light manufacturer has retained SkyWater to identify its next Chief Operating Officer (COO). The company operates multiple business units and locations serving construction-related end markets and has built a strong reputation through technical expertise, disciplined execution, and long-standing customer relationships.
Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the COO will be responsible for leading the organization’s day-to-day operations and ensuring consistent performance across the enterprise. This role partners closely with divisional leadership to improve operational discipline, strengthen margin management, and reinforce accountability in a complex, tight-margin operating environment. The position requires a visible, hands-on leader who is comfortable working alongside experienced teams and translating strategic priorities into practical execution.
This is a senior leadership role with meaningful scope and long-term opportunity. The successful candidate will bring sound judgment, operational fluency, and a grounded leadership style well suited to an ownership-oriented organization, with the capacity to assume broader enterprise responsibility over time.
*** This position will be based in the Twin Cities, Minnesota area. ***
*** A competitive executive compensation package is offered, including base salary, annual incentive opportunity, comprehensive benefits, and meaningful long-term participation through employee ownership. ***
Responsibilities
- Enterprise Operations Leadership
- Lead day-to-day operations across multiple business units and locations, ensuring alignment with company objectives and performance expectations.
- Partner with the CEO to execute the annual operating plan and support long-term strategic priorities through strong operational execution.
- Provide leadership, coaching, and accountability to divisional general managers and senior operating leaders.
- Serve as the primary point of escalation for operational decision-making and issue resolution. Financial Performance & Discipline
- Drive improvements in pricing execution, gross margin performance, purchasing effectiveness, and cost management.
- Review operating and financial results on a regular basis, identifying risks, trends, and opportunities for improvement.
- Ensure corrective actions are taken when performance falls short of expectations. Leadership, Culture & Execution
- Establish credibility through consistent presence in branches, warehouses, and operating facilities.
- Reinforce an ownership-oriented culture built on accountability, fairness, and respect for long-tenured teams.
- Balance the need for structure with the realities of an entrepreneurial operating environment, introducing practical tools rather than heavy process.
- Promote clear communication and direct feedback at all levels of the organization. Operating Rhythm & Continuous Improvement
- Implement and sustain simple performance metrics, meeting cadence, and execution rhythms that improve consistency across the business.
- Drive greater alignment across purchasing, inventory management, pricing practices, and branch-level operations.
- Support the thoughtful adoption of systems and tools that enhance efficiency without disrupting effective workflows. Growth & Enterprise Support
- Partner with the CEO on evaluating and integrating acquisitions, including operational diligence and leadership assessment.
- Contribute an enterprise-wide perspective on scalability, operational risk, and long-term growth readiness.
Desired Skills and Experience
- Education & Professional Background
- Bachelor’s degree required in business, finance, operations, engineering, supply chain, or a related discipline; advanced degree preferred.
- 10–20 years of progressive leadership experience within industrial distribution, building products, metals distribution, or light manufacturing environments.
- Proven success leading multi-location operations or serving in a senior operational leadership role within a mid-sized organization. Leadership & Capability Profile
- Strong financial and operational acumen, including the ability to analyze pricing, margins, purchasing performance, and branch-level results.
- Demonstrated ability to earn trust and credibility with experienced management teams and front-line employees.
- Experience operating effectively in low-bureaucracy, execution-focused organizations.
- Sound judgment and decisiveness in fast-moving, ambiguous situations.
- Direct, grounded leadership style characterized by humility, accountability, and follow-through.
- Willingness to travel periodically to operating locations and acquisition targets.
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