An opportunity for a dynamic operational leader to put their mark on the significant growth of this company, providing vision and leadership for change and empowerment, continuous improvement in performance (output and efficiency), accountability, and fostering an efficient, results-based culture.

Assignment: 4300
Title: VP Operations
Industry: Cabinetry
Reports To: President/Owner
Location: Southeast

Our Client:

Our client is an established and rapidly growing cabinetry manufacturer facing strong demand in multi-family and senior housing markets, this privately owned company is scalable with automation and footprint expansion for rapid growth.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

• Plan and implement mfg. growth plans – plant layout, machinery selection, and handling systems
• Drive accountability through all manufacturing processes and roles
• Increase production while reducing total cost outlay
• Set and maintain production schedule
• Ensure supply chain efficiency and stability
• Establish team KPIs – daily, weekly, monthly
• Create and oversee safety, and employee training
• Establish effective top-down and open lines of communication
• Complete implementation of ERP systems

Position Requirements:

• 5+ years leadership experience in kitchen cabinetry manufacturing operations
• Previous successful operational leadership in a turnaround or rapid growth small to mid-size kitchen cabinetry environment
• Frameless cabinetry experience
• Strong organizational skills with plant processes, layout, and efficiency improvement
• Strategic thinker but also hands-on, results driven
• Excellent people/leadership skills – team builder/developer, lead, grow, impart vision
• Data and metrics driven
• Ability to drive accountability to floor level through station KPI’s, bottom line and results focus
• Excellent communication skills – written, oral presentation
• ERP/MRP and automation literate, (20:20 a plus)
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering preferred

Contact:

Gina Felicita Martin
Recruiter
gfelicita@brookechase.com
941-259-4841

In a newly created region-wide and change-agent support role, the Regional Logistics Specialist will lead operational excellence initiatives in distribution centers throughout the region, leveraging technology and best practices to enable operations to become a core strength that plays a major role in driving profit.  This will serve as a model for nationwide rollout and is an opportunity for an innovative, bold thinking change agent to make a lasting impact on the success of the company.

Assignment: 4301
Title: Regional Logistics Specialist
Industry: Plumbing HVAC Distribution
Reports To: Regional Manager
Location: TX Major Metro

Our Client:

Our client is a leading nationwide distributor of plumbing and HVAC to residential, commercial, and industrial sectors.  Well established, highly regarded, and financially strong, the company is taking steps to ensure their strong competitive place in the market for years to come.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead local branch warehouse and distribution operations to establishment of procedures, best practices, and facility/product layout that lead to measurable improvement in efficiency, productivity and accuracy, including:
• RFID implementation
• Cycle counting
• Warehouse layout, space utilization and slotting for efficiency
• Procedure (Process) documentation
• Establishment of metrics and KPI’s
• Equipment upgrades
• Ensure Safety is always job one
• Material handling improvement
• Exploration of automation
• Participate in new warehouse layout and design as needed for new locations
• Talent improvement – recruiting, training, development

Position Requirements:

• 10+ years’ experience in warehouse/distribution operations leadership
• Proven track record as a change agent – able to get buy-in
• Experience with new systems implementation – RFID, cycle-counting
• Proven track record of efficiency improvement – space utilization, slotting, metrics
• Strong customer and service focus
• Strong process documentation skills
• Ability to envision and implement new warehouse design
• Strong project management skills – ability to move from one branch to the next, implementing new systems with a variety of branch leaders and warehouse teams
• Ability to see the big picture – approaching the projects one at a time with the goal of company-wide change in mind
• Strength in cross-functional teamwork
• Excellent communication skills – all levels, oral, written, reporting
• Bachelor’s degree highly preferred

Contact:

Ben Durshimer
Recruiter
bdurshimer@brookechase.com
941-914-9162

A unique and exciting opportunity for a dynamic manufacturing business leader to create a new business from the ground up.  Under the guidance and with the financial backing of two industry leading companies, the CEO will prepare and execute a business plan, build and lead and executive team, oversee the start-up of a manufacturing facility, and continue to grow the organization, including further potential facility start-ups to broaden geographic reach.

Assignment: 4299
Title: Chief Executive Officer
Industry: Architectural Millwork
Reports To: Board of Directors
Location: Mid-Atlantic to Mid-South

Our Client:

Two forest products industry leading companies, now combining efforts in a new joint venture domestic manufacture moulding business.  These companies represent global reach, vertical integration, product diversity, and a history of profitable growth.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

• Prepare for business start-up with the goal of becoming operational in Q4 2023
• Prepare and execute a business plan to include Procurement, Production, Sales, Pricing and Logistics
• Build and lead an Executive Team for the leadership and sustainable growth of the company
• Continue to grow the organization, including further potential start-ups in other geographical areas

Position Requirements:

• Successful P&L company/division leadership experience
• Manufacturing operational experience with wooden finger joint mouldings and millwork in an automated environment
• Start-up experience – brownfield, greenfield, or major facility expansion, including capital project leadership
• Visionary team builder – track record of hiring, managing and leading a team to success
• Proven track record of successful overall business planning and execution
• Excellent communication skills – all levels and formats
• Strong customer facing skills
• Bachelor’s degree in business or related field

Contact:

Nichole Trieste
Recruiter
ntrieste@brookechase.com
941-914-9332

This is an opportunity to impact the growth of the business directly through creative innovation in the company’s first true product management role.  The Director will develop a product roadmap, introduce new models, focus on energy efficiency, and oversee the design and drafting process for accurate and on-time completion of projects.

Assignment: 4298
Title: Director of Product Management and Design
Industry: Manufactured Housing – Log Homes
Reports To: President and CEO
Location: Mid-Atlantic

Our Client:

Our client is a leading log home manufacturer that has enjoyed 25+% annual growth over the past five years and now, under new ownership, is elevating its leadership and preparing the organization for expected doubling in size over the next five years.  This is a nimble, team-oriented environment with limited bureaucracy and an openness to creative new ideas.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

• Development of product line – introduce new models, value engineering
• Develop and implement energy efficient packages
• Participation with the team in evaluating new, branded suppliers
• Leadership of drafting team – execution of projects on time and accurately
• Process improvement in drafting function
• Implementation of new drafting system – Revit
• Selection and management of external engineering resources

Position Requirements:

• 5-10 years of residential construction experience, with a focus on framing
• Background working with a drafting or architectural design team
• Experience in “product management” activities
• Basic knowledge of drafting process and blueprints
• Leadership experience with small team
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field

Contact:

Nichole Trieste
Recruiter
ntrieste@brookechase.com
941-914-9332

If you are a dynamic distribution operations leader with experience implementing current best practices in a growth environment, this role will be an opportunity to be a key business partner and decision maker in an entrepreneurial business model.  This leader will have real impact through leveraging technology and developing a team to improve productivity and capacity.

Assignment: 4294
Title: Operations Manager
Industry: Plumbing HVAC Distribution
Reports To: Branch Manager
Location: Texas

Our Client:

Our client is one of the top branch locations of a leading and financially strong nationwide distributor of plumbing and HVAC to residential, commercial and industrial sectors.  This branch has experienced tremendous growth and has plans for significant expansion of its operations.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop operations into a core strength of the business
• Establish a world class operational culture
• Select, add, and develop top operational talent
• Asses, identify, and implement necessary process, procedure, technology/tools for efficient scaling of the business
• Work collaboratively and strategically with other key business leaders to achieve and grow a market leadership position

Position Requirements:

• 10+ years’ experience in warehouse/distribution operations leadership
• Proven track record as a change agent – able to get buy-in
• Experience with new systems implementation – RFID, cycle-counting, WMS
• Proven tract record of efficiency improvement – space utilization, slotting, metrics
• Strong customer and service focus
• Strong process documentation skills
• Ability to envision and implement new warehouse design
• Ability to implement new systems
• Big picture, creative solutions thinker
• Strength in cross-functional teamwork
• Excellent communication skills – all levels, oral, written, reporting
• Bachelor’s degree strongly preferred

Contact:

Ben Durshimer
Recruiter
bdushimer@brookechase.com
941-914-9162

As a key member of the senior executive leadership team, the Vice President of Sales will collaborate in developing long-term strategic and annual sales plans, lead team members to growth through expansion of opportunities with dealers and corporate accounts and increase market penetration of US and international markets.  it is an opportunity to grow personally and professionally in an environment that encourages contributions from every member of the team.  Their employees are empowered to propose new solutions, expand their skill sets, and advance in the company.

Assignment: 4293
Title: Vice President of Sales
Industry: Specialty Vehicle
Reports To: Managing Partner
Location: Midwest

Our Client:

Our client is the largest US manufacturer and industry leader with over 40 years of innovative design and quality manufacturing of custom engineered and built specialty agricultural equipment.  It is a division of a worldwide market-leading manufacturer of custom trailers and specialty vehicles with a 140-year history, and which enjoys a strong financial position, dominance across a range of specialty markets, and strong growth both organically and by acquisition.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

• Proactively identify and capitalize on new opportunities and/or respond to unexpected challenges and changes in business/market conditions
• Deliver customer satisfaction across all market segments, from individual owners to corporate accounts, increasing the markets awareness of KT Pacer and enhancing the company’s reputation in the marketplace
• Utilize a Servant Leadership mindset and methodology to provide direction, development, leadership and coaching to sales team members and individuals throughout the organization
• Create a Safety First and Always Culture and champion the safety of all employees

Position Requirements:

• Proven track record of sales leadership to growth
• BtoB sales channel experience, market research, relationship development, negotiations
• Technical sales experience & aptitude, ability to read prints and technical docs
• Business acumen, adding value to the leadership team as a true business partner
• Financial acumen – sales financials, margins, profitability
• Strong cross-functional interaction throughout the organization
• Servant Leadership mindset and methodology
• Safety first mindset
• Excellent communication skills – all forms and levels
• Ability to travel 40+% overnight
• Computer skills:  MS Office, CRM
• Bachelor’s degree, MBA a plus

Contact:

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

If you are looking for a highly visible entrepreneurial, fast-growing company that has doubled its revenue over the past three years….This may be it.  The Executive Director position is the face of the company and will be responsible to identify and develop new strategic growth opportunities with its highly creative team.  This is for a transformational leader who is an out-of-the box thinker, extremely entrepreneurial, and who knows the Kitchen and Bath Industry…its dealers, distributors, and manufacturers.  This person will be responsible for continuing above average annual growth and run the day-to-day operations.

Assignment: 4287
Title: Executive Director
Industry: Kitchen and Bath Group Purchasing Organization
Reports To: Board of Directors & Shareholders
Location: Open

Our Client:

Our client is the largest shareholder owned and operated kitchen and bath group purchasing organization in North America.  It is comprised of market leaders in their territories in almost every major metropolitan area and supported by many of the brand names in the industry.  They have a strong commitment to innovation and growth with a willingness to invest in people and growth initiatives.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

• Grow top line revenue
• Drive the brand
• Shareholder and vendor recruitment
• Run day-to-day operations of the Buying Group
• P&L
• Counsel the Board
• Develop and implement strategy to increase profitability and improve the buying groups profile and reputation
• Increase existing Shareholders’ sales with Preferred Vendors
• Recruit best-in-class showrooms in underrepresented market territories
• Manage day-to-day operations including committees, staff, communications, budgets and Board of Directors’ relations
• Develop and implement programs that create additional value for Shareholders and Preferred Vendor Partners
• Serve as the face of the buying group – Board of Directors, Shareholders, vendors, media and the industry
• Craft and renegotiate buying programs by leveraging the group’s purchasing power for all product classes sold and supported by the Shareholders that include kitchen and bath cabinets, sinks, faucets, tile, lighting, stone, quartz and countertops, appliances and cabinet hardware, among others
• Expose and educate members on:
  a.  Successful industry practices
  b.  Newly emerging industry related technologies
  c.  Showroom marketing strategies
  d.  Sound financial operations and practices
• Attract market leading kitchen and bath showrooms to become members
• Attract best-in class vendors to become Preferred Vendor Partners
• Assist Preferred Vendors increase their sales within the group’s sales channel

Position Requirements:

• Integrity beyond reproach
• Honesty
• Hard working
• Intense desire to improve the kitchen showroom industry
• Organizational and multi-tasking management skills – prioritize, adapt to changing priorities, multiple projects, reconcile conflicting demands
• Thrives in an entrepreneurial, team-oriented and fast-paced culture
• Proactive, self-motivated, results focused, willing to be both player and coach
• Stability and common sense
• Extensive knowledge of (minimum 10 years) and experience with kitchen cabinet manufacturing and distribution, kitchen showroom operations and/or retail showroom operations
• Proven record of performance
• Demonstrated ability and track record of increasing sales with existing customers
• Well known and respected by kitchen showrooms across North America
• Demonstrated ability to use technology tools to make small businesses run more efficiently and effectively
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills
• Demonstrated understanding of kitchen and/or showroom businesses
• Bachelor’s in marketing or Business related discipline, MBA preferred

Contact:

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

An exciting opportunity to join a leading building products manufacturer in the United States 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 as its Product Manger.  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 – VA

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.  The company has been in business for over 50 years and enjoys a reputation for offering superior quality products at value-oriented prices, while providing first class customer service.  Well-capitalized company, poised for growth, potential to double or more, in 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

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