Chief Operating Officer

Manta Search; Fort Lauderdale (FL); On-site; USD 180,000 - 270,000; Full time

Job summary

Manta Search in Fort Lauderdale is seeking a hands-on Chief Operating Officer to run the day-to-day business across all functions and to serve as the operational backbone for a lean, growth-oriented manufacturing organization.

You will work directly with the ownership team, embed with our people on the floor and in the office, and drive cross-functional performance by translating vision into execution and maintaining accountability through KPIs and strong governance.

Qualifications

• 5–10+ years of progressive operational leadership experience.
• Experience in a company under $15M in revenue and able to operate lean with limited resources.
• Proven track record owning multiple business functions (ops, finance, HR, sales, etc.).
• Demonstrated ability to drive measurable results in lean environments with scarce resources.
• Strong financial acumen: P&L management, budgeting, cash flow.
• Excellent communicator who can lead, inspire, and hold people accountable.
• Proficiency with standard business software (ERP/MRP, MS Office, etc.).

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operations across all functional areas.
• Work directly with ownership and embed with floor and office teams.
• Identify operational inefficiencies and implement solutions.
• Own weekly, monthly, and quarterly operating rhythms with KPIs and reporting.
• Make real-time decisions and assume accountability for outcomes.
• Lead a small cross-functional team with high expectations and trust.
• Drive cost discipline without compromising quality or morale.
• Support senior customer relationships when escalation is needed.
• Partner with ownership on strategic planning, M&A considerations, and long-range goals.

Skills

Operational leadership

P&L management

Budgeting and financial acumen

Strong communication

ERP/MRP systems experience

Lean / continuous improvement

Education

Bachelor's degree in business / operations / engineering

MBA a plus

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

Manta Search is representing a manufacturing organization on a retained search - They are a hands-on, growth-oriented company under $15M in annual revenue. This is not a title - it's a seat at the table. Our next COO will be the operational backbone of the business: the person who shows up, digs in, knows every part of the operation, and leads by example. If you've thrived in a lean, resource-constrained environment where you wore many hats and delivered real results, we want to talk.

ABOUT THE ROLE

This role is responsible for running the day-to-day business across all functional areas. You will work directly alongside the ownership team and be closely embedded with our people on the floor and in the office.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Operations & Production — Oversee manufacturing operations, production scheduling, quality control, and continuous process improvement
• Sales & Business Development — Support and drive revenue activities, manage the sales pipeline, and maintain key customer relationships
• Marketing — Oversee brand presence, messaging, and lead generation; manage vendors or in-house resources as needed
• Finance & Accounting — Manage budgets, cash flow, financial reporting, and oversee bookkeeping/accounting functions
• Procurement & Supply Chain — Own vendor relationships, sourcing strategy, inventory management, and cost controls
• Human Resources — Lead recruiting, onboarding, performance management, and cultivate a strong team culture
• Information Technology — Ensure systems, tools, and infrastructure support business operations effectively
• Facilities & Safety — Maintain a safe, compliant, and efficient physical environment

DAY-TO-DAY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as the right hand to the CEO/Owner, translating vision into execution
• Be present and accessible — walk the floor, know the team by name, and stay close to the work
• Identify operational inefficiencies and fix them — directly, not through layers of delegation
• Own the weekly, monthly, and quarterly operating rhythm: KPIs, reporting, team check-ins, and accountability
• Make real-time decisions with incomplete information and own the outcomes
• Manage and develop a small, cross-functional team with high expectations and high trust
• Drive cost discipline across the organization without sacrificing quality or morale
• Support customer relationships at a senior level when escalation is needed
• Partner with ownership on strategic planning, M&A considerations, and long-range business goals

QUALIFICATIONS

• 5–10+ years of progressive operational leadership experience
• Must have spent meaningful time in a company under $15M in revenue — you understand what small business operations truly demand
• Proven experience owning multiple business functions simultaneously (operations, finance, HR, sales, etc.)
• Track record of driving measurable results in a lean environment — fewer resources, higher expectations
• Strong financial acumen: P&L management, budgeting, cash flow
• Excellent communicator with the ability to lead, inspire, and hold people accountable
• Proficiency with standard business software (ERP/MRP systems, Microsoft Office, etc.)

PREFERRED SKILLS

• Experience in manufacturing, industrial, or product-based businesses (strongly preferred, but not required)
• Exposure to shop floor operations, production planning, or supply chain management
• Prior P&L ownership at a company level
• Experience implementing or optimizing an ERP or business operations system
• Familiarity with lean manufacturing principles (5S, Kaizen, etc.)
• Bachelor's degree in business, operations, engineering, or related field; MBA a plus

PAY RANGE AND COMPENSATION PACKAGE

• Base Salary: Competitive and commensurate with experience, with a clear commitment to grow as the business grows
• Performance Bonus: KPI-based bonus tied to company and individual performance metrics
• Seat at the Table: Direct access to ownership and meaningful involvement in the company's future direction

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

We are committed to diversity and inclusivity in our hiring practices.