Portfolio CEO: Powder Coating Shop

American Operator • Peoria, IL

1d • $130,000 - $190,000 • Onsite

About The Position

American Operator is seeking an experienced operator to lead a profitable powder coating shop as CEO, in partnership with American Operator. This role offers the opportunity to build upon an established business with a strong reputation, loyal customer base, and an experienced team. The CEO will be responsible for day-to-day operations, team leadership, and P&L performance, with a focus on team development, customer acquisition, operational discipline, and business scaling. American Operator will provide strategic support and resources, while the CEO will have a clear path to significant equity ownership.

Requirements

• 7+ years of relevant industry experience, with at least 3 years of P&L ownership over a department or entire plant
• Experience building high performance team hourly team with accountability for hiring and performance improvement
• Led operations with a focus on batch production runs on tight timelines
• Track record of profitably growing sales for job shops that rely on reputation and service quality
• Currently located in or a willingness to relocate to one of our target markets (Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Indiana, Illinois, or Wisconsin)

Nice To Haves

• Direct experience within powder coating, liquid paint, metal finishing, and metal fabrication.
• Owned responsibility for the compliance and recordkeeping that comes with a permitted facility (air permits, VOC logs, hazardous waste)
• Diversified a customer base across end markets to reduce concentration, and you bring direct powder coating, liquid paint, or metal-finishing experience as a strong plus

Responsibilities

• Grow the business with a focus on key performance metrics as you lead day-to-day plant operations
• Develop and lead the production team, including line leads and applicators, with a culture of high accountability and performance
• Oversee production on the finishing line (pretreatment, booths, and cure ovens) with discipline on throughput, quality, and on-time delivery
• Build upon existing customer relationships and grow into new end markets to reduce industry concentration
• Own company compliance for hazardous waste, and other regulations
• Manage equipment upkeep and capex
• Partner with American Operator on strategy, budgeting, and growth planning

Benefits

• Base salary: $130,000–$190,000
• Performance-based bonus opportunities
• Distributions
• Meaningful equity participation beginning at 10% ownership, with the potential to increase based on performance and value creation
• Comprehensive benefits package

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed