Chief Operating Officer

Kellogg Staffing; Kansas City (MO); On-site; USD 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Kellogg Staffing seeks an experienced Chief Operating Officer to lead the day-to-day operations of a growing industrial manufacturing and field services organization. This executive will oversee heavy fabrication, precision machining, rigging, field installation, and maintenance while driving safety, profitability, and customer satisfaction.

The ideal candidate has a strong background in automotive manufacturing or industrial production and can build scalable operational systems to improve

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive operations leadership experience in manufacturing or heavy fabrication.
• Executive leadership experience overseeing multiple operational departments.

Responsibilities

• Lead all operational functions including fabrication, machining, manufacturing, field installation, rigging, maintenance, quality, production planning, logistics, and continuous improvement.
• Develop and execute operational strategies that improve productivity, profitability, customer satisfaction, and scalability.
• Drive Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Establish and monitor KPIs related to safety, quality, production efficiency, labor utilization, on-time delivery, and financial performance.
• Partner with Sales, Engineering, Estimating, Project Management, and Finance to ensure successful project execution and customer satisfaction.
• Improve production scheduling, capacity planning, workflow management, and resource allocation across departments.
• Build high-performing operational leaders through coaching and succession planning.

Job description

We are seeking an experienced, hands-on Chief Operating Officer (COO) to lead and optimize the day-to‑day operations of a growing industrial manufacturing and field services organization. This executive leader will oversee operations across heavy industrial fabrication, precision machining, rigging, field installation, and maintenance services while driving operational excellence, safety, profitability, and customer satisfaction.

The ideal candidate has a strong background in automotive manufacturing or industrial production environments and understands how to build scalable operational systems that improve efficiency, quality, and on‑time delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all operational functions including fabrication, machining, manufacturing, field installation, rigging, maintenance, quality, production planning, logistics, and continuous improvement.
• Develop and execute operational strategies that improve productivity, profitability, customer satisfaction, and organizational scalability.
• Drive Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and continuous improvement initiatives throughout the organization.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) related to safety, quality, production efficiency, labor utilization, on‑time delivery, equipment effectiveness, and financial performance.
• Partner closely with Sales, Engineering, Estimating, Project Management, and Finance to ensure successful project execution and customer satisfaction.
• Improve production scheduling, capacity planning, workflow management, and resource allocation across multiple departments.
• Build and develop high-performing operational leaders through coaching, accountability, and succession planning.
• Champion a safety‑first culture while ensuring compliance with OSHA, quality standards, and industry regulations.
• Evaluate capital equipment investments, technology improvements, automation opportunities, and facility expansion initiatives.
• Develop operational budgets and manage departmental performance against financial objectives.
• Foster a culture focused on accountability, collaboration, innovation, and operational excellence.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business, Manufacturing, or a related field preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive operations leadership experience within manufacturing, industrial services, or heavy fabrication environments.
• Executive leadership experience overseeing multiple operational departments.
• Strong background in automotive manufacturing, Tier 1/Tier 2 suppliers, or high-volume manufacturing environments preferred.
• Hands‑on experience leading fabrication shop operations, welding, machining, or metal manufacturing facilities.
• Experience overseeing field installation, industrial maintenance, or rigging operations is highly desirable.
• Proven success implementing Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Strong understanding of production planning, supply chain coordination, quality systems, maintenance, and operational finance.
• Experience leading large teams in fast‑paced industrial environments.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to drive operational transformation while maintaining a strong focus on safety, quality, and customer satisfaction.

Preferred Experience

• Heavy steel fabrication
• Precision machining/CNC manufacturing
• Industrial rigging and millwright operations
• Automotive manufacturing or Tier supplier operations
• Industrial construction or mechanical contracting
• ERP/MRP systems
• Multi‑site operational leadership
• ISO quality systems and operational compliance