Chief Operating Officer (COO) with Financial Leadership Experience - Nordic Ware

Commitment and Career Growth * Comprehensive Benefits * Work-Life Balance * Community

At Nordic Ware, we have a passion for creating innovative, high quality, American-made kitchenware. We benefit from a collaborative, connected, value-driven culture and we're growing! For 75+ years our products have enhanced food preparation, inspired creativity and fun in the kitchen, and brought people together at tables around the world. Our employees take pride in the products we make, and many choose a lifetime career here.

Due to the upcoming retirement of our trusted long-tenured CFO, we are expanding our Senior Leadership team to include a COO with strong operational and financial business acumen to join this successful, privately-owned family manufacturing business in Saint Louis Park, Minnesota.

As COO, you will collaborate closely with the CEO and other senior leaders to develop and implement strategic initiatives that support our long-term business plans. You will lead a variety of departments from Finance, IT and HR to Procurement, Planning and Production supporting their growth, efficiency, productivity, and marketplace effectiveness.

Critical Traits

• An inspiring, trusted leader and team player
• Strong personal values including empathy, compassion, honesty, fairness, self-discipline, good judgement & respect for others
• Highly motivated self-starter
• Senior-level critical thinker and inquisitive problem-solver
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• High EQ (emotional intelligence) with a calm, strong, diplomatic demeanor
• Exceptional negotiation skills
• Ability to see the company holistically (how all departments/teams fit together, co-exist and depend on each other) and contribute to our culture of collaborative teamwork.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, engineering, manufacturing, or other related field.
• MBA strongly preferred. CPA is a plus.
• 15+ years of full-time work experience in Finance or Operations post-undergraduate, preferably in manufacturing.
• 10+ years specifically in financial and business management.
• 5+ years of banking, overseeing and directing investments and/or treasury experience
• 10+ years managing and developing a direct staff of 10 or more.
• Proven track record working both tactically and strategically with focus on financial risk management, company-wide improvement, stability and growth
• A conservative mindset in managing finance and operations.
• Ability to negotiate contracts, and manage corporate counsel on a variety of issues including HR matters, patent/trademark, contracts, etc.
• Technically skilled and committed to remain current with developments in technology and data management.
• Experience working in a family-owned and operated business with active and involved leadership and Board of Directors.

Responsibilities

• Financial Oversight: Collaborate with the Finance team to manage budgets, control costs, and optimize resource allocation. Work with the CEO and the Board of Directors on financial planning and forecasting to ensure long-term sustainable growth and profitability.
• Operational Leadership: Provide strategic direction and leadership to all operational functions, ensuring seamless coordination between departments and efficient execution of business strategies.
• Manufacturing Excellence: Identify opportunities for process improvement, cost optimization, and increased operational efficiency in Manufacturing, Supply Chain and all Operations.
• Team Management: Lead, mentor, and inspire high-performance in our team of leaders in Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Engineering, Finance, Human Resources, IT, Compliance and Operations. Foster a positive and collaborative work environment, promoting teamwork, accountability, and professional development.
• Strategic Partnerships: Build and maintain strategic partnerships with vendors and stakeholders. Collaborate on joint initiatives, negotiate contracts, and manage vendor relationships to ensure access to appropriate technologies and resources.
• Customer Satisfaction: Collaborate and support Sales and Marketing leadership, focusing the full organization on meeting customer expectations and supporting sales efforts by delivering on-time high quality and innovative products to our customers.

This is an onsite position working at our Saint Louis Park Corporate campus to support day-to-day operations. Opportunity for local applicants only. No relocation available.

About Us:

Nordic Ware is a leading manufacturer of high quality and innovative kitchenware products. By designing products of superior value, producing them in the United States whenever possible, and marketing them worldwide, we enrich people's lives by adding utility, convenience, and enjoyment to the preparation of food.

We strive to offer attentive service that exceeds our customers' expectations, to produce environmentally sound products, and to provide a safe and rewarding work experience for our employees.

We recognize that a growing return on our efforts and investments is essential to maintain our leadership position. We are committed to ethical conduct in all matters and to earning the trust and confidence of our customers, suppliers, employees and of our community.

To learn more about us, visit www.NordicWare.com.

Nordic Ware is an Equal Opportunity Employer