Chief Executive Officer

Lean Focus; Toledo (OH); On-site; USD 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

An industrial manufacturing company in Toledo is seeking a Chief Executive Officer to lead its growth transformation into a high-tech business. The right candidate will be responsible for driving ambitious growth targets, improving sales processes, and embedding Lean principles while building a high-performing leadership team. This position requires a strategic leader with 10+ years of experience and strong financial acumen.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of professional leadership experience in a similar industry.
• Proven experience in strategic planning and guiding teams towards achieving long-term objectives.
• Demonstrated success in a commercial transformation through strategy development.

Responsibilities

• Grow revenue organically while improving sales processes.
• Complete transformation of the end-to-end commercial process.
• Build a high-performing leadership team with clear accountability.

Skills

Strategic vision

Hands-on execution

Financial acumen

Lean operating experience

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's Degree in relevant field

Master's or similar preferred

Job description

Overview

REPORTS TO: Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Holding Company

TRAVEL: Up to 15% domestic

POSITION SUMMARY: Our client is seeking a Chief Executive Officer to join their industrial manufacturing business in the Toledo area. The right candidate will lead the company’s transformation into a standalone, high-growth industrial technology business. They will drive and achieve ambitious growth targets, driving revenue organically while delivering a strong return on invested capital. The CEO will build a scalable commercial engine with strong sales and marketing capabilities while establishing a foundation for sustained operational excellence; they will embed Lean principles across the business. This includes a high-performance culture of Continuous Improvement through effective Strategy Deployment, Daily Management, Problem Solving, and Kaizen process.

We are looking for a high-impact leader that combines strategic vision with hands-on execution, fostering a culture of accountability and transparency. They will bring commercial sharpness, financial discipline, and Lean operating experience to drive scalable growth in a complex, project-based environment.

Responsibilities

• Growing revenue organically while improving sales process and funnel management to position the team for growth
• Completing a transformation of the end-to-end commercial process, from demand generation and pipeline management to key account development
• Utilizing financial skills and full P&L ownership responsibility to grow EBIT and reduce NWC; executing an efficient transformation, manage cost structures, and deploy targeted, high-growth investments
• Building a high-performing leadership team with clear accountability and focus at the business-unit level while empowering BU leaders to own performance
• Elevating technical execution, product development, and customer responsiveness by strengthening engineering and project management talent within the organization
• Engaging as a hands-on leader who builds trust by staying close to the details while fostering a culture of accountability and ownership
• Leading Lean transformation through implementation of core pillars: Strategy Deployment, Daily Management, and Problem Solving; establishing a Kaizen funnel of opportunities
• Incorporating M&A into future strategic planning process; targeting acquisitions that expand access to more attractive end markets
• Formalizing the M&A process along with parent company, including diligence and integration

Qualifications

• Bachelors Degree in relevant field required; Masters or similar preferred
• 10+ years of professional leadership experience in a similar industry (automation), with at least 5 years in a senior executive role and at least 3 years in a mid-sized business unit (<$100M sales)
• Proven experience in strategic planning, setting clear goals, and guiding teams towards achieving long-term objectives
• Demonstrated success in a commercial transformation through strategy development and execution, with a strong understanding of market dynamics and customer needs
• Demonstrated ability to apply the 80/20 principle in an automation environment
• Experience in a Lean-disciplined business and exposure to Continuous Improvement principles such as Strategy Deployment, Value Stream Mapping, 6S, Standard Work, Problem Solving, Kanban, Visual Daily Management, 80/20
• Extensive experience as a results driven leader building and leading high-performing teams, including recruitment, development, and performance management while driving towards a culture of accountability
• Strong financial acumen with experience in budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis

Lean Focus LLC is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, or protected Veteran status.

Company description

At Lean Focus, we help businesses overcome their biggest challenges by transforming them for the better, and for the long-term. A "who's who" of global leaders in every industry, our clients include some of the world's most respected brands and several members of the Fortune 1000.