Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Position Summary

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) serves as a key member of the executive leadership team and is responsible for the overall leadership, management, and performance of the company's operational functions. The COO partners closely with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Board of Directors, and senior leadership team to develop and execute strategies that drive operational excellence, organizational growth, profitability, customer satisfaction, and long-term shareholder value.
The COO oversees all aspects of operations including manufacturing, supply chain, production planning, procurement, quality assurance, IT, customer support, regulatory compliance, business continuity, facility and site management and organizational effectiveness. The role is responsible for translating corporate strategy into operational execution while building scalable processes, high-performing teams, and a culture of continuous improvement.
 

Key Responsibilities

Executive Leadership & Strategic Planning

• Partner with the CEO and CFO to develop and execute the company's strategic vision and business plan.
• Ensure compliance with government regulations when building U.S. supply chain.
• Translate corporate objectives into actionable operational strategies and measurable performance goals.
• Collaborate with executive leadership to support both organic and inorganic growth objectives, including the identification, assessment and integration of potential M&A candidates.
• Drive organizational alignment around key business initiatives, priorities, and performance metrics.
• Support growth initiatives including new products, market expansion, strategic partnerships, acquisitions, and organizational scaling.
• Provide operational leadership and strategic recommendations to the CEO and Board of Directors.

Operational Management & Manufacturing Excellence

• Direct and oversee all operational activities across manufacturing, production planning, supply chain, warehousing, inventory management, purchasing, quality assurance, customer support, and related functions.
• Ensure operational systems support efficient production, on-time delivery, product quality, and customer satisfaction.
• Develop and implement scalable operating structures, processes, and systems that support continued business growth.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and operational metrics to measure performance, drive accountability, and improve operational effectiveness.
• Optimize equipment utilization, labor productivity, production capacity, and workflow efficiencies.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on reducing costs, improving quality, increasing throughput, and eliminating waste.
• Coordinate cross-functional collaboration among operations, engineering, technology, customer service, and commercial teams to create organizational performance.
• Manage sites and facilities, including ensuring readiness to scale.

 

Supply Chain, Procurement & Inventory Management

• Develop and execute supply chain strategies that ensure operational resilience, cost efficiency, and product availability.
• Oversee sourcing, procurement, inventory planning, and supplier management operations.
• Establish inventory management systems that ensure accuracy, reporting visibility, stock rotation, shelf-life tracking, and production support.
• Manage vendor and supplier relationships, including contract negotiation, cost optimization, quality standards, and delivery performance.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen supply chain continuity and reduce operational risk.
• Drive procurement and inventory strategies that align with production schedules and customer demand forecasts.

 

Financial Management & Business Performance

• Manage operational budgets, capital expenditures, and resource allocation to maximize profitability and return on investment.
• Develop operational forecasts and business plans that support strategic growth initiatives.
• Monitor operational and financial results and implement corrective actions when necessary.
• Ensure operating activities contribute to revenue growth, margin improvement, and overall financial performance.
• Establish and track meaningful performance metrics and reporting systems across all operational functions.
• Support executive leadership in evaluating business opportunities, investment decisions, and operational risks, and readiness to scale.

 

Corporate Governance, Compliance & Risk Management

• As a corporate officer, maintain special attention to compliance, operational integrity, financial stewardship, and risk management.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, industry standards, and company policies.
• Review quarterly and annual SEC filings and disclosures related to operational activities for accuracy and completeness.
• Support governance initiatives and maintain effective internal controls throughout operational functions.
• Identify business risks and implement mitigation strategies to protect company assets and continuity.
• Maintain robust quality management systems and support all quality audit activities.

 

Product, Customer & Service Operations

• Support new product development and commercialization initiatives by ensuring operational feasibility and successful product launches.
• Partner with sales leadership to establish pricing support, production schedules, forecasting, and customer delivery commitments.
• Ensure manufacturing and operational capabilities align with customer needs and growth expectations.
• Oversee customer-facing operational activities to support exceptional customer experiences and satisfaction.
• Ensure field repairs, maintenance operations, and technical support functions deliver high-quality service.
• Facilitate communication between customer support functions and engineering teams to drive product improvements and corrective actions.

 

IT Administration:

• Oversee the company's global IT infrastructure, including networking, cloud services, end-use computing and remote connectivity.
• Maintain the company's cybersecurity strategy and execution in line with applicable regulations and industry best practices
• Develop the company's information technology roadmap and ensure execution to plan.
• Partner with Finance to manage NetSuite ERP system, maintaining performance and data integrity.

 

Business Continuity, Safety & Contingency Planning

• Establish and maintain business continuity, disaster recovery, and operational contingency plans.
• Develop crisis management protocols and emergency response procedures across all operational functions.
• Ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to minimize business disruptions.
• Oversee health, safety, environmental, and workplace compliance programs.
• Promote operational readiness and risk awareness throughout the organization.

 

Leadership, Culture & Organizational Development

• Build, lead, and develop high-performing operational and cross-functional leadership teams.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
• Mentor leaders and employees to support succession planning, career growth, and long-term organizational capacity.
• Promote open communication, knowledge sharing, and employee engagement throughout the organization.
• Coach leaders to identify opportunities to improve productivity, reduce waste, improve quality, and enhance operational performance.
• Ensure organizational structures and talent strategies support future company growth.

 

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Operations Management, or a related discipline required.
• MBA or other relevant advanced degree strongly preferred.

Experience

• 15+ years of progressive senior management experience with responsibility for multi-site operations, including international experience.  Prior experience as a COO or President of an operating division within a manufacturing company preferred.
• Demonstrated success leading manufacturing, operations, supply chain, quality, and business performance initiatives.
• Proven experience scaling operations within a growth-oriented organization.
• Experience in aerospace, drones/UAS, or defense manufacturing,  preferred.
• Public company experience and familiarity with SEC reporting requirements preferred.
• Experience in M&A and the successful integration of acquired companies.

Skills & Competencies

• Strategic planning and operational execution expertise.
• Strong business, financial, and operational acumen, including the ability to read and interpret company financial statements.
• Exceptional leadership, coaching, and organizational development skills.
• Deep knowledge of manufacturing, supply chain, quality systems, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience leading organizational growth, change management, and transformation initiatives.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.

 

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

The COO will be evaluated on:

• Revenue growth and profitability
• Gross margin improvement
• Operational efficiency and productivity metrics
• Manufacturing throughput and capacity utilization
• Inventory accuracy and working capital management
• Supply chain performance and supplier reliability
• On-time delivery performance
• Product quality and customer satisfaction
• Employee engagement, retention, and leadership development
• Budget performance and cost control
• Regulatory compliance and audit outcomes
• Strategic initiative execution and organizational scalability

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