Chief Operating Officer

POSITION OVERVIEW:  Reporting to the President & Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Operating Officer will lead the operational strategy, commercial execution, and operational performance of all Hussey Seating Company functions that execute customer orders. This includes Application Engineering; Manufacturing; Capacity Planning; Logistics & Supply Chain Management; Health, Safety, & Environmental Compliance; and Quality.

In collaboration with other functional leaders and his or her direct reports, the COO will develop and drive strategic and tactical plans specific to each of these business processes, create key performance metrics, and implement methods of reporting results against those key performance indicators so that corrective action, if necessary, can be taken in as near real-time as possible.

Finally, as a member of the Senior Management Team, the COO will play a decisive role in the development and execution of all strategic plans, with an expectation that he or she will do so beyond his or her assigned functional leadership responsibilities.

DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Establish, implement, and communicate the strategic direction of the organization’s Operations Division.
• Collaborate with executive leadership to develop and meet company goals while supplying expertise and guidance on Operations projects, systems, and continuous improvement/operational excellence best practices.
• Collaborate with other functional areas to achieve the organization’s goals and objectives.
• Identify, recommend, and implement new processes, technologies, and systems to improve and streamline organizational processes and use of resources and materials.
• Ensure that departmental decisions and project plans such as those for staffing, development, organization, material efficiency, hardware acquisitions, employee health and safety, environmental compliance, and facilities are in line with the organization’s business plan and vision.
• Help develop and implement company talent management and organizational effectiveness strategies including talent acquisition, onboarding and training, retention, mentoring, succession and career planning, and all competency development initiatives.
• Establish, communicate, and implement Operations-related policies, practices, standards, and security measures to ensure effective and consistent support and execution.
• Review and approve cost control reports, cost estimates, and staffing requirements for projects.
• Establish and administer the Operational budget and annual Capital plan.
• Maintain knowledge of emerging technologies, trends, and best practices in operations management.
• Identify training needs and ensure proper training is developed and provided.

COMPETENCIES: (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities)

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate well with peers and drive collaboration practices within Operations.
• Strong leadership skills that are consistent with the Company’s Critical Leadership Behaviors.
• Ability to align personal and team behaviors in conformance to Company Core Values.
• Strong financial acumen. Prior P&L responsibility a plus.
• Extensive knowledge of best operational practices in industry or in closely related/parallel industries with similar value chains, manufacturing methods, and technologies, etc.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Strong coaching skills and ability to delegate appropriately.
• Enterprise Resource & Planning systems acumen.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Logistics, Engineering, or similarly relevant field required. Advanced degree in Business, Engineering, Operations, similarly relevant field would be a significant competitive advantage.
• At least 10 years of experience in manufacturing environments that employ materials, methods, and processes equivalent in complexity to those of Hussey Seating is required.
• At least 5 years in one or more strategic leadership roles in Operations with responsibilities similar in scope and scale to this position.
• Demonstrated ability to improve the performance of a rapidly growing and quickly changing manufacturing organization of comparable size and complexity across a broad range of operational, financial, customer satisfaction, safety, quality, and other relevant metrics is required.
• Multi-Site Operations Management and New Facility start up experience a plus
• Ability to work on-site in an office setting at least 80% of the work week and, at times, 100%. A willingness to relocate within reasonable commuting distance of North Berwick within 6 months of employment is required for consideration.

Hussey Seating Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, marital status, veteran status or any other category protected by law.