Chief Operating Officer (Must reside in Northeast US)

Chief Operating Officer (Must reside in Northeast US)

Company Overview

We are a leading manufacturer of precision optical filters, coatings, diffractive optics, infrared components, system integration, and services for mission-critical applications in life sciences, aerospace & defense, instrumentation, semiconductor, environmental, and industrial sensor markets. With over 85 years of experience, we provide expert optical design, manufacturing, coatings, and support for applications including PCR, flow cytometry, fluorescence microscopy, spectroscopy, LiDAR, quantum computing, machine vision, satellite communications, and more. Headquartered in Brattleboro, VT, we operate as a platform focused on scaling proprietary capabilities, engineering strength, and meeting global demand for high-precision optical coatings, components, and assemblies.

Our parent firm is a specialized private equity group dedicated to partnering with differentiated industrial technology companies that enable a healthier, safer, more connected, and equitable world through products in analytical instrumentation, advanced materials, sensors, optics and photonics, RF/microwave, medical devices, and robotics/automation. Since 2010, we have completed multiple platform investments and add-ons across funds, leveraging operational expertise to provide financial capital, management support, and strategic advice for growth.

Position Overview

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) will be a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). This role involves strategic operational planning and execution, alongside day-to-day manufacturing oversight. As an operational partner to the CEO, the COO will lead the development and implementation of a platform-level operations strategy and roadmap, focusing on supply chain integration, procurement, and divisional improvements across key performance indicators (KPIs). The ideal candidate is a results-driven leader with expertise in manufacturing processes, lean methodologies, and technology integration, bringing best practices in Lean, 5S, and advanced technologies to position us as a production leader. Responsibilities include coordinating Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S), Production, Manufacturing, Equipment, and Facilities Management across divisions, while managing and developing site leaders. This hands-on, collaborative role requires 50-75% domestic travel between sites and offers significant growth opportunities in a dynamic environment.

Location: Hybrid (Brattleboro, VT; Hopewell Junction, NY; Ithaca, NY; Jaffrey, NH; Ayer, MA) Reports to: Chief Executive Officer Direct Reports: Site Leaders, EH&S, Quality, and Production Staff

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Operations Leadership & Strategy

• Partner with the CEO and Executive Leadership Team to design and implement business strategies, plans, and procedures aligned with company goals for profitable growth.
• Develop and execute a platform-wide Operations Roadmap addressing capacity, capabilities, efficiency, productivity, and profitability across production facilities.
• Translate strategic vision into actionable short- and long-term plans, cascading the roadmap to all divisions and owning execution of operational priorities.

Manufacturing & Production Oversight

• Oversee all production operations, including planning, maintenance, and efficiency in manufacturing optical components.
• Champion lean manufacturing principles to reduce waste, improve on-time delivery, increase throughput, and enhance profitability; drive continuous improvement and scalable standard work.
• Establish and achieve site- and platform-level KPIs.
• Collaborate with the Chief Technology Officer and Engineering team for seamless new product handoffs from design to production; identify and implement new technologies per the Operations Roadmap.

Supply Chain, Quality Assurance & Compliance

• Optimize the end-to-end supply chain, including logistics, inventory control, and vendor management.
• Own (through Site Leaders) the monthly Supply, Inventory, and Operations Planning (SIOP) process, including revenue forecasts, inventory, and backlog management.
• Support contract negotiations with key suppliers for high-quality raw materials; build resilient supply chains (e.g., dual sourcing) and lead tariff risk management.
• Ensure products meet internal quality benchmarks and industry standards; maintain compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Manage rigorous quality control systems from raw materials to final testing; explore a unified Quality Management System (QMS) for platform integration.
• Conduct internal audits and collaborate with Finance/Quality for ISO and industry standard compliance.

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performance Operations team, fostering accountability, continuous improvement, and a bias for action.
• Promote communication and collaboration between Operations, Engineering, and Sales for alignment on goals and actions.

Financial Oversight, Risk Management, and Platform Integration

• Partner with the Chief Financial Officer and Executive Leadership Team on budgets, operating plans, expense monitoring, and capital investments; provide accurate quality, delivery, cost, and working capital data.
• Implement cost-control measures and analyze data for improvement opportunities.
• Assess risks and develop comprehensive risk management plans.
• Collaborate on major platform integration initiatives and implement programs as needed.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Science, or a related field; MBA preferred.
• 10+ years of management/executive-level operations experience in multi-site, low-to-moderate volume/high-mix lean manufacturing environments. Experience in optics/photonics fabrication, thin film coating, and private equity is preferred.

Skills & Competencies

• Exemplary executive presence with strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and team leadership/development skills; ability to set and enforce high performance standards.
• "Can-do" attitude as a cross-functional partner thriving in dynamic, entrepreneurial, high-growth, multi-site settings.
• Mastery in business transformation using lean principles.
• Proven ability to implement and integrate technology platforms; working knowledge of modern ERP systems (preferably Global Shop Solutions) and CRM systems (preferably HubSpot).
• Proficiency in manufacturing planning, yield analysis, Kaizen events, structured problem-solving, root cause analysis, and statistical process control.
• Skill in managing complexity through influence.
• Track record of profitably scaling capital-intensive businesses.
• Prior platform integration experience.

Computer Skills

• ERP System User (e.g., Global Shop Solutions)
• CRM System User (e.g., HubSpot)
• Industrial Statistics Software User
• Microsoft Office Suite

Physical Demands

The role requires sitting, walking, standing, talking, and hearing. Occasional lifting/moving up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities include close vision and focus adjustment. Reasonable accommodations available.

Work Environment

Work occurs in office areas adjacent to manufacturing settings with quiet to moderate noise. Some exposure to moderately high noise in manufacturing. Reasonable accommodations available.

We are an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. Qualified candidates should submit resumes to [email/address placeholder]. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.