Chief Operations Officer-Hackney Truck Bodies & Trailers

ST Engineering North America•Dalton, OH

37d•Onsite

About The Position

Are you an experienced operations leader who thrives on driving efficiency, leading change, and positioning businesses for growth? We're looking for a Chief Operating Officer (COO) to take charge of day-to-day operations across multiple plants and product lines, enabling our CEO to focus on strategic priorities. In this critical role, you'll oversee the entire order-to-delivery process, champion lean manufacturing initiatives, and lead transformative projects that shape the future of our business. You'll work with products that support the food and beverage delivery industry, playing a key role in positioning the company for future expansion. This role is also positioned as a potential successor to the Senior Vice President/General Manager, offering a unique opportunity to grow into the top leadership position. If you want to be part of a profitable, growth-oriented business with a product line essential to food and beverage distribution, we are looking for you! Note: This position requires the individual to reside within a daily commutable distance to Kidron, OH. Remote arrangements or commuting on a weekly basis will not be permitted.

Requirements

15+ years of progressive leadership experience in operations within transportation equipment or related manufacturing industries.
10+ years in senior leadership roles, including plant management and multi-site oversight, preferably in a durable goods industry.
Proven experience running plant operations, preferably with multiple facilities oversight.
Experience implementing automation technologies and smart manufacturing systems to elevate efficiency, reduce waste, and future-proof operations
Understanding of the sales pipeline process as well as a proven ability to interact with customers.
Strong background in transportation equipment manufacturing, including familiarity with refrigerated and specialty vehicle production.
Expertise in workforce planning, lean manufacturing, and change management.
Demonstrated success managing order-to-delivery processes.
Exceptional P&L acumen and ability to optimize profitability.
Skilled in leading large, labor-intensive teams.
Highly adaptive and capable of managing through complex business cycles.
Track record of transformative leadership in operational settings.
Strategic vision and executive presence to influence at the board level and prepare for CEO succession.

Responsibilities

Operational Leadership: Manage daily operations across several manufacturing plants and product lines.
Order-to-Delivery Process: Oversee the full lifecycle from order intake through sales and production to final delivery.
Strategic Planning and Execution: Partner with the CEO on long-term business strategy, market expansion, and organizational transformation.
Workforce Planning: Develop and execute strategies for labor-intensive environments.
Change Management - Lead strategic change initiatives, optimizing plant operations and rationalizing product lines.
Lean Manufacturing: Advance the organization's lean journey to reduce waste and improve efficiency, while improving quality.
Automation Strategy: Drive the implementation of automation technologies and smart manufacturing systems to enhance operational performance, reduce manual processes, and increase scalability.
P&L Management: Drive profitability through cost optimization and margin improvement.
People Leadership: Build and sustain a high-performing team culture.
Business Cycle Management: Adapt operations to navigate market cycles and maintain resilience.
Customer Focus: Ensure operational excellence for major foodservice and beverage customers such as Sysco, US Foods, Performance Food Group, and Red Bull.