President and CEO - Newtown PA or Jessup MD

The HR Team•Jessup, MD

25d•$325,000 - $375,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Morningstar Corporation is a privately owned small solar energy company that designs and supplies off-grid charge controllers and inverters to customers in more than 100 countries. Its offices are in Jessup, Maryland, and Newtown, Pennsylvania; products are manufactured in Asia and distributed from Asia and the United States. The company is seeking a successor to its long-term President and CEO to lead its next stage of growth. The President and CEO has full responsibility for the company's profit and loss and reports to the Board of Directors. The mandate is to protect and grow the established solar controller business while making new products, solutions, and partnerships dependable sources of revenue. During the first one to three years, the CEO is expected to set clear priorities and establish a credible, measurable path to revenue and profit growth that outpaces the industry, including growth through new products, OEM and industrial accounts, strategic partnerships, and new routes to market such as B2B eCommerce. The company seeks a hands-on, entrepreneurial, customer-focused player-coach with experience growing a small global B2B technical products company. The role is based near either the Newtown, Pennsylvania, or Jessup, Maryland, facility. Relocation is expected for candidates who are not already in either area. Work-from-home flexibility is available, but on-site work is required at least three days per week and as needed. Occasional travel to the other location and to partners or suppliers is required. Compensation combines a competitive salary and benefits, incentives, and equity ownership. Base salary is $325,000–$375,000, based on experience. Morningstar conducts a criminal background check after a conditional job offer.

Requirements

Experience as a CEO, General Manager, or business unit leader with full P&L responsibility at a small or mid-size hardware or technical products company.
A measurable record of growing revenue and profits through new products, solutions, and partnerships.
Commercial, customer-first leadership experience personally helping win and grow large OEM, distribution, and industrial accounts.
Experience leading sales across multiple channels, including distribution, VAR, direct, OEM, and online.
Experience leading both product development and business development, translating customer needs into successful new products while reducing time to market.
Experience qualifying and managing outside partners, including contract engineering and manufacturing, technology partners, co-selling, and licensing.
Experience negotiating and closing high-level customer and partner contracts.
Ability to build and develop leadership teams, set clear goals and accountability, and make difficult organizational decisions when needed.
Financial discipline, including sound capital allocation, staged investment in new initiatives, and strong management of margin, cash, and inventory.
Bachelor’s degree in a technical field; engineering is preferred.
Willingness to live near the Jessup, Maryland, or Newtown, Pennsylvania, facility and work on site at least three days per week and as needed.
Entrepreneurial, hands-on, action-oriented approach and willingness to make quick decisions.
Ability to learn the business deeply before making major moves, then act decisively.
Strategic thinking and ability to set priorities and gain team buy-in to an aligned company plan.
High ethics, strong work ethic, transparency, and ability to build trust.
Humble, empathetic demeanor and ability to bring energy and optimism grounded in a credible plan.
Ability to value the employee-ownership culture and push decisions down rather than centralizing them.
Ability to inspire, mentor, and motivate employees and support continuous improvement, learning, and career growth.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Willingness to relocate if not currently located near either facility.

Nice To Haves

Experience in solar, energy storage, power electronics, industrial power, or industrial controls.
Familiarity with customer verticals such as telecommunications, oil and gas, security, and industrial lighting, and existing OEM relationships in those markets.
Experience selling turnkey or bundled solutions, including systems, software, or services, in addition to components.
Experience leading the hybridization of traditional distribution with B2B eCommerce and broader organizational digital transformation.
Experience adopting AI and building a data-driven culture that improves decisions and business outcomes across departments.
International experience building global channels.
Understanding of supply chain management, global sourcing, logistics, and contract electronics manufacturing.
Experience leading a founder-led, employee-owned, or closely held company.
Experience using strategic alliances, joint ventures, or acquisitions as growth levers.
Master of Business Administration.

Responsibilities

Lead the company’s next stage of growth and set clear priorities and a measurable growth plan.
Take full responsibility for company profit and loss and report to the Board of Directors.
Protect and grow the established solar controller business while developing new products, solutions, and partnerships into repeatable revenue streams.
Drive revenue and profit growth through new products, OEM and industrial accounts, strategic partnerships, and new channels, including B2B eCommerce.
Lead product development and business development, translating customer needs into successful products and reducing time to market.
Win and grow large OEM, distribution, and industrial accounts, and lead sales across distribution, VAR, direct, OEM, and online channels.
Qualify and manage outside partners, including contract engineering and manufacturing, technology partners, co-selling, and licensing; negotiate and close high-level customer and partner contracts.
Build and develop a strong leadership team, establish goals and accountability, and make organizational decisions when needed.
Manage capital allocation, staged investment in new initiatives, margins, cash, and inventory.
Build successful market-side and product-side partnerships, strengthen the senior leadership team, and support employee retention and engagement.
Travel occasionally to the other company location and to meet partners and suppliers.