Chief Executive Officer (CEO / Manufacturing President)
About The Position
This is a permanent, full-time opportunity for a transformation-focused Chief Executive Officer to lead a middle-market industrial manufacturing firm through its next phase of modernization. The board requires an operationally grounded leader to integrate smart factory automation, optimize global supply chains, and drive high-margin revenue growth. You will step into a well-capitalized business ready to scale, with complete P&L authority and a mandate to build lasting enterprise value. About the Company This organization is a trusted, decades-old partner to OEM manufacturers, specializing in precision-engineered industrial components. Recently acquired by a leading private equity sponsor, the firm is aggressively pivoting from legacy production methods to a highly automated, data-driven manufacturing model while maintaining its commitment to absolute quality and safety. The Location This position is headquartered in the greater Chicago, Illinois area. It requires an active, visible leadership presence on the manufacturing floor and across regional production facilities to drive cultural alignment and operational excellence.
Requirements
- Ten or more years of senior executive leadership within the industrial manufacturing, automation, or heavy engineering sectors.
- Verifiable experience operating as a CEO or Division President within a private equity-backed portfolio company, with a strong history of EBITDA expansion.
- Deep expertise in Lean manufacturing principles, smart factory integration, and complex capital expenditure planning.
- Exceptional ability to manage board relations and communicate strategic operational shifts clearly to financial sponsors.
Nice To Haves
- You are a pragmatic, results-oriented leader who is as comfortable on the shop floor as you are in the boardroom.
- You respect the legacy of traditional manufacturing but possess the foresight to push for necessary technological modernization.
- You lead by example, building trust with your workforce through transparency, decisiveness, and a relentless focus on continuous improvement.
Responsibilities
- Direct a comprehensive operational transformation, integrating robotics and predictive maintenance technology to optimize shop-floor efficiency.
- Restructure the global supply chain and procurement strategies to protect gross margins against material volatility and logistical disruptions.
- Overhaul the enterprise sales strategy to capture new contracts in emerging markets, including green energy and advanced automotive sectors.
- Cultivate a safety-first, high-performance culture that bridges the gap between tenured manufacturing staff and new engineering talent.
Benefits
- Significant equity participation
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Executive
Education Level
No Education Listed
