In a newly elevated role, this leader will have the opportunity to move Human Resources from reactive and transactional to a proactive, strategic, and value-add business partner to senior leadership in the company.  The Vice President will oversee and develop programs in all relevant functional areas including recruiting, retention, training and development, payroll and benefits, documentation, compliance and best practices in systems and process.

Assignment: 4274
Title: Vice President of Human Resources
Industry: Flooring
Reports To: President & CEO
Location: Mid-South

Our Client:

Our client is a leading manufacturer in the U.S. within its niche, providing a full line of innovative, top quality, highly engineered products and serving leading Home Center, OEM and Distributor customers throughout the U.S. and Canada.  Under new leadership, this company has tremendous growth potential and has been undergoing a transformation to accommodate anticipated doubling of its annual volume.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

• Oversee, proactively develop & implement creative and best practices programs in Human Resources, Compliance and Wage & Benefits
• Participate with the executive team in determining human resource strategies to support the achievement of overall business objectives
• Function as a business advisor to senior management regarding key organizational and human resource management issues
• Develop/enhance & implement recruiting and staffing plans to meet the human resource needs of the organization, including recruiting, onboarding, retention, review, discipline, and engagement programs
• Assess, develop and implement structured compensation, incentive and benefits plans that are competitive, cost-effective and promote the organization as a desired workplace
• Oversee the creation of training, development and engagement programs that build the capability of employees, drive a focus on safety, and build employee and company morale
• Oversee the identification of all regulatory standards affecting the manufacturing process (OSHA, Wage & Hour, EEO) and the creation of a consistent reporting and compliance process
• Oversee the identification and development of workers compensation claim best practices for manufacturing settings
• Develop and implement automated / on-line systems where applicable, i.e. benefits, onboarding, training
• Develop Employee materials and/or ensure that they are kept current, including Handbook, Confidentiality and Non-Compete, Position Descriptions, etc.

Position Requirements:

• 10+ years of progressive HR leadership in a mfg. environment
• Track record of proactive engagement, communications, and program development
• Familiarity and experience with current best practices in HR leadership
• Experience establishing best practices in a growth environment
• Energetic, engaging personality with a customer-focused mindset
• Continuous improvement mindset – systems, processes, procedures
• Tech Savvy – expertise in software and online solutions utilization

Contact:

Rick Mohrman
Executive Recruiter
rmohrman@brookechase.com
941-914-9328

Working cross-functionally both internally and externally, the Product Manager will lead, direct, and perform all aspects of product management for the product portfolio.  This will involve coordination with external customers, vendors, and internal stakeholders to identify market requirements, define and maintain product range for all customers, lead new business introduction process, and collaboratively develop and refine pricing models.

Assignment: 4281
Title: Product Manager
Industry: Flooring
Reports To: EVP Sales, Marketing & Customer Service
Location: Mid-Atlantic

Our Client:

Our client is a leading manufacturer in the U.S. within its niche, providing a full line of innovative, top quality, highly engineered products and serving leading Home Center, OEM and Distributor customers throughout the U.S. and Canada.  Under new leadership, this company has tremendous growth potential and is undergoing a transformation to accommodate anticipated doubling of its annual volume.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with senior leadership in setting the long-term vision and strategy for the product portfolio and manage the detailed implementation, including establishing and refining the product platform, and communicate the strategy and details to all relevant participants and stakeholders
• Develop and implement a product roadmap as a tool to manage and communicate the product strategy
• Identify customer needs, trends and market requirements at various levels, including the Home Center, Distributor, Consumer and Installer levels
• Develop in-depth knowledge and insights and become the Subject Matter Expert into the uses, applications, installation, and performance of the products in the portfolio
• Further develop and be the point person in managing the New Business Introduction / New Product Development processes from concept to launch
• Participate with the Sales & Marketing Department in company & customer meetings
• Develop and support customer presentations
• Manage & communicate sales information & product changes both internally & externally
• Research and develop pricing & competitive information and conduct analysis by channel, recommend strategies to improve market position, enhance competitive differentiation, drive sales, adapt / align quality, reduce costs, etc.
• Deliver market requirement documents and product specifications with detailed product features and detailed financial justification
• Work closely with Operations & Manufacturing Engineering to develop product specifications and requirements for existing and new products and to turn concepts into manufacturable and marketable tangible good
• Work collaboratively with sales and operations to develop business plans / business cases regarding the product line, as well as budgets, forecasts, etc. and ensure the ability of the company o achieve desired service levels to customer

Position Requirements:

• 5 years’ experience in Product / Marketing Management or similar role in mfg. environment, preferably background with fashion building materials
• Demonstrated success defining and launching new products, with in-depth understanding of stage/gate process
• Experience developing and implementing a product roadmap
• Experience developing products for and marketing products to Home Center customers
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and cross-functional team members, balance multiple priorities and do so in a high-paced, collaborative work environment
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Functional understanding of manufacturing, sales, marketing, logistics and engineering disciplines
• Ability to present ideas in business-friendly and user-friendly language
• 4-year degree preferred in business management or marketing, engineering, etc.

Contact:

Rick Mohrman
Executive Recruiter
rmohrman@brookechase.com
941-914-9328

Contact:

Lisa Baaklini
Recruiter
lbaaklini@brookechase.com
773-729-2240

Due to consumer demand and growth, our client is looking for a leader to launch manufacturing in the US.  In a newly created role designed to provide proactive and progressive leadership to all manufacturing operations, the Plant Manager will drive continuous improvement, ERP implementation and implement strategies that respond to market direction and conditions.  This is an exciting opportunity to work directly with the President/Owner and grow their US presence.

Assignment: 4280
Title: Plant Manager
Industry: Cabinets
Reports To: President & Owner
Location: East Coast

Our Client:

Our client is an established and quick to adapt cabinetry manufacturer with multiple sites, a global reach and strong supplier relationships to support its expansion into semi-custom markets.  This privately-owned company is growing on all fronts; it will survive in the face of all the changes and uncertainty in building markets.  Is a financially strong, manufacturer and distributor of quality all-wood kitchen and bath cabinetry that has grown organically for 5K sq. ft. to 500K sq. ft. with facilities overseas and 5 US locations. and has been experiencing annual double-digit growth.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead day-to-day operations/manufacturing
• Develop processes that will maximize stewardship, safety, quality, and productivity
• Management of 100+ personnel
• Measure safety, quality, delivery & cost performance
• Leverage data to drive continuous improvement
• Develop a world-class manufacturing team focused on results & culture
• Plan, organize, direct and run optimum day-to-day operations to exceed customers’ expectations
• Gradually increase production, assets capacity, and flexibility while minimizing unnecessary costs and maintaining current quality standards
• Be responsible for production output, product quality, and on-time shipping
• Allocate resources effectively and fully utilize assets to produce optimal results
• Implement strategies in alignment with strategic initiatives and provide a clear sense of direction and focus
• Monitor operations and trigger corrective actions
• Share a trusting relationship with workgroup and recruit, manage and develop plant staff
• Collect and analyze data to find places of waste or overtime
• Commit to plant safety procedures
• Develop systems and process that tract and optimize productivity and standards, metrics and performance targets to ensure effective return on assets

Position Requirements:

• Cabinetry manufacturing experience
• Strong lean manufacturing experience
• ERP/MRP experience
• Greenfield startup experience or plant turn-around in the cabinet and/or wood industry
• 10+ years leadership experience with a mid to large sized manufacturing company
• Strong track record for transforming processes and driving safety, quality, delivery and cost improvements
• Bachelor’s degree preferred or equivalent experience

Contact:

Richard Miller
Executive Recruiter
rmiller@brookechase.com
941-914-9172

Contact:

Lisa Baaklini
Recruiter
lbaaklini@brookechase.com
773-729-2240

This is a unique opportunity to work for a global leader and disrupt the market through strategizing and implementing marketing and sales programs for the Americas.  This is a newly created role due to company growth and offers the candidate the opportunity to design and create something from scratch and leverage their knowledge and experience to take the business to the next level.

Assignment: 4279
Title: Regional Product Director WHE Americas
Industry: Hot Water & Heating Products
Reports To: EVP Americas
Location: Remote

Our Client:

Our client is the largest producer in the world of hot water and heating products.  Their name is synonymous with comfort, energy efficiency, and respect for the environment thanks to its high efficiency products, its plants in compliance with the most advanced production standards, and excellent pre and after sales customer support service.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

• Responsible for the product range of the Region (The Americas) to which she/he functionally reports, bringing specific knowledge of the local markets
• Works closely with the Water Heaters Business Unit, particularly with the GPM with whom she/he closely coordinates and other Regional Product Directors, all the way through the product development process to achieve consolidation of requirements to maximize platform benefits
• Evaluates and evolves the current Water Heaters range in the Region
• Support the company with evolution of the existing range and new product introduction
• Defines and manages the product range for the Region according to the Group Product Strategy and Product Development Platforms guidelines
• As an input to the above, she/he monitors:
  • Local regulations in collaboration with country organizations (US and Mexico)
  • Assesses and monitors market size and developments by product
  • Monitors US and Mexico competitors’ strategies under a product perspective, their current product range and future developments
  • Leads the generation of valuable customer and consumer insights in collaboration with US and Mexico Marketing teams and Group marketing Customer Insight Unit
• On the basis of this knowledge, she/he will:
  • Contribute to the Group Product Strategy and the Product Development process, in terms of technical specifications and economics of new products whose development process she/he follows, liaising with GPM’s
  • Ensures consistency between business strategy and product strategy for the Region
• Coordinates the launch of new products in US and Mexico collaborating with Mexico and US Product Marketing managers who functionally report to him/her
  • Monitors the results for new product launches
• Periodically she/he review and trims, as necessary, the product range of US and Mexico, in collaboration with the GPM’s

Position Requirements:

• Knowledge of the product development processes
• Knowledge of regulations at local and federal level i.e., emissions, electrification, etc.
• Experience in the Water Heater industry
• Deep understanding of key markets of responsibility
• Mastering of both technical and commercial aspects of products
• Ability to understand product implications of regulatory changes
• Experience in customer insight analysis
• Strong conflict resolution and collaboration skills
• Worked in an international environment
• At ease with working in a matrix environment
• Flexibility and open-mindedness
• BS/MS degree, MBA preferred

Contact:

Rich Miller
Executive Recruiter
rmiller@brookechase.com
941-914-9172

Contact:

Lisa Baaklini
Recruiter
lbaaklini@brookechase.com
773-729-2240

This position has the primary responsibility to identify, analyze, and sell the company product lines into the wholesale distribution network and develop demand generation through contractors in the defined region.

Assignment: 4277
Title: Sales Representative
Industry: Hydronic Plumbing and Heating Equipment
Reports To: President
Location: Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Lawton

Our Client:

Our client is a highly respected, multi-generational manufacturer rep agency that represents high quality, competitively priced product lines and has been in business for 85 years.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

• Grow key wholesaler sales and relationships
• Pull through with builders and contractors
• Establish rapport with wholesalers, contractors, builders, architects, engineers and municipalities
• Strengthen key contractor sales and relationships
• Obtain builder specifications
• Obtain architect / engineer specifications
• Focus on KPI initiatives for agency
• Grow key contractor relationships
• Update Telenotes database and email database with fresh contacts
• Mature sales on in house brand “CMC”

Position Requirements:

• A strong understanding of the channels of distribution
• An above average knowledge of plumbing systems
• Water Treatment product experience
• In person presentation and training skills a must
• Must be a self driven person

Contact:

Rich Miller
Executive Recruiter
rmiller@brookechase.com
941-914-9172

Contact:

Lisa Baaklini
Recruiter
lbaaklini@brookechase.com
773-729-2240

This energetic, multi-talented, hands-on, and pro-active Marketing Manager will be responsible for working with both internal teams and external retail customers to develop and execute effective marketing initiatives, including: product marketing, company communications, retail marketing, collateral and public relations.  The Marketing Manager will be fully responsible for the design and production of all company marketing and communication materials, will work closely with senior management, and contribute to strengthening market position and image with the channel and consumers.

Assignment: 4261
Title: Marketing Manager
Industry: Flooring
Reports To: EVP Sales, Marketing & Customer Service
Location: Mid-Atlantic

Our Client:

Our client is the leading manufacturer in the U.S. within its niche, providing a full line of innovative, top quality, highly engineered products and serving leading Home Center, OEM and Distributor customers throughout the U.S. and Canada.  Under new leadership, this company has tremendous growth potential and is undergoing a transformation to accommodate anticipated doubling of its annual volume.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

• Translate senior management’s vision for the brands and individual products into dynamic and engaging market materials
• Produce all marketing & communication materials
• Lead brainstorming sessions to develop creative concepts
• Efficiently take a project from a creative concept to the delivered material(s)
• Lead an internal Marketing Team & work with employees from different functional areas, such as sales and product management, to develop the detailed content for a project (e.g. catalog copy, video story board)
• Lead efforts with Retail customers to develop effective in-Store and online product presence
• Manage and stay within budget and meet deadlines
• Research & present production alternatives & costs, negotiate effectively with vendors
• Design and produce all facets of print, merchandising and packaging including photography, copy and layout
• Storyboard a video production (e.g. television commercial, training video, product sales video) and manage its filming, editing and final delivery
• Manage all aspects of web design and administration

Position Requirements:

• Five (5) years of experience providing creative development
• Demonstrated experience, skills and knowledge in concept development, design, and delivery of marketing materials
• Extensive experience marketing of products to large, omni-channel retail customers
• Direct hands-on experience in two or more of the following: video, multi-media, web, catalog, packaging, or sales collateral development
• Knowledge and experience using some of the most commonly used creative/design computer programs such as Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office
• Self-organized, meticulous and can manage numerous projects simultaneously while working independently
• Effectively manages changing priorities and has the tenacity to overcome adversity and obstacles
• Ability to think outside the box, take direction and feedback from senior management, learn new skills and challenge oneself
• Degree in Design, Communications or Marketing preferred
• Experience in creative & marketing functions with consumer products/building materials a plus

Rick Mohrman
Executive Recruiter
rmohrman@brookechase.com
941-914-9328

Contact:

Lisa Baaklini
Recruiter
lbaaklini@brookechase.com
773-729-2240

CEO with a Plan is an opportunity for an entrepreneurial leader to acquire and grow a business to the point of successful exit. Whether a management buyout of your current business unit or the acquisition and build-out of another private company, you assume accountability to lead a business enterprise, tap unrealized potential and create significant growth.

Introduction:

Private Equity (PE) owned firms grew revenue twice as fast as all other types for the last 10 years according to a recent Pepperdine survey. Our PE Partners are constantly looking for their next growth company and in some cases actively pursue an “Executive First” approach to investment. Across the board, the most universally well received inquiry is what we call CEO with a Plan: an experienced executive who displays passion, vision and a proposal to create a growth enterprise.

Outcomes:

As Steven Covey advises, a CEO with a Plan must “Begin with the end in mind.” The goal is to maximize value creation within a defined period such as 5 to 7 years. Success rewards the CEO and leadership team through the increased equity valuation whenever there is an ownership change. There may also be the option to reinvest and continue to grow the enterprise towards yet another ownership change.

Industry:

Our broad range of partners means that any manufacturing, distribution, transportation, or services enterprise will be accommodated. Building materials, industrials, software, medical device, bio-tech, niche manufacturing, or any industry segment that will support an attractive growth strategy will be considered.

Location:

Determined by your investment thesis.

Accountabilities:

You will be expected to present an investment idea and facilitate its transformation into a successful investment strategy. When funded, your accountability to implement and achieve objectives can encompass:

• Creating a corporate vision, culture, goals and action plans.
• Leading the acquisition and integration of multiple businesses.
• Transitioning your business to an independent enterprise with its own unique culture.
• Assessing, acquiring, developing and inspiring the leadership team to implement your vision.
• Leveraging the board, external and internal resources to their fullest.
• Leading the business to meet or exceed defined milestones.
• Participating in a successful liquidity event.

Requires:

The successful CEO will have turned around, unlocked potential, created strong growth and otherwise lead a business to exceed expectations; ideally more than once. One must also develop an investment thesis to complete the package. For example, a plan to carve-out the business unit of a larger corporation that you currently lead. Or perhaps a strategy to consolidate a few smaller companies into a platform that you can then grow into a segment leading enterprise. Regardless of the plan, investors expect an in-depth knowledge of the target industry.

Dimensions:

You will be expected to demonstrate leadership dimensions such as proactivity, adaptability, high energy, integrity, interpersonal effectiveness, strategic perspective, and communications ability.

Compensation:

There will be an appropriate incentivized executive compensation package, equity participation and the satisfaction from leading your strategy to meet or exceed expectations. Most significant will be the equity pay out at the time of a successful ownership change.

Contact:

Murray Parker
Managing Director
mparker@brookechase.com
941-914-9146

Our Private Investment Client specifically partners with talented executives who are motivated to acquire their current business or a selected target company and take that enterprise to the next level.

If you, as an experienced president or business unit leader:

• Know that you could significantly improve performance for your current business if you had the freedom and accountability to pursue your vision
• Have identified a target company that you know could be grown dramatically
• Have already identified a fund source that just doesn’t feel like the right partner
  Then, perhaps we should talk.

Assignment: 3880
Title: Executive Partner to Lead a Management Buy-Out
Location: Americas

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

• Our client has implemented an “Executive First” approach to investment. Since leadership is the key to business success, they want to lock-in the best leader then fund that individual’s strategy to create a portfolio business with significant upside potential.
• The ideal executive partner will have successfully transformed and grown a business preferably more than once in the past. Key among their priorities should be a commitment to an attractive investment strategy in a market that they know sufficiently well to reduce risk and create a pathway for success amidst multiple obstacles.

This is clearly not for everyone. However, if your strategy involves a business in the $10 to $200 Million revenue range that is now or can readily become cash flow positive, then perhaps we should talk. This could be the investor you are looking for.

Contact:

Murray Parker
Managing Director
mparker@brookechase.com
941-914-9146