Chief Operating Officer, Steel Distribution & Growth

Cesna Recruitment; Fort Lee (NJ); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

USP, a New Jersey-based importer and distributor of flat-rolled steel, seeks a Chief Operating Officer to own day-to-day operations, guide cross-functional teams, and translate strategic priorities into actionable plans with clear milestones.

The COO will lead department heads, drive KPI dashboards, oversee supply chain, logistics, and compliance, and support M&A work, while maintaining disciplined governance and transparent communication with ownership.

Qualifications

• Extensive executive operating leadership with company-wide accountability.
• Fluent in English and Korean; communicate with ownership and overseas teams.
• Experience leading multiple departments and managing P&L, budgets, and working capital.
• Experience in import, distribution, or inventory-intensive operations.
• Experience with M&A prep and transactions.
• Knowledge of steel, metals, or related industries.
• Governance and decision-rights in privately held businesses.
• ERP implementation or data-driven reporting experience.

Responsibilities

• Own day-to-day operations and serve as the primary decision point for cross-functional matters.
• Lead, coach, and develop department heads with clear objectives and accountability.
• Translate priorities into operating plans, budgets, milestones, owners, and targets.
• Establish a disciplined cadence, dashboards, KPIs, controls, and reporting.
• Assess organization, processes, systems, and capabilities; drive resolution of stalled initiatives.
• Coordinate supply chain, logistics, inventory, and compliance.
• Contribute ideas and feasibility proposals to 1-, 3-, and 5-year planning.
• Partner with sales leadership to strengthen commercial processes and forecasting.
• Support M&A preparation and transaction work with ownership and advisors.
• Represent USP with suppliers, customers, and partners to promote timely decisions.

Skills

Executive leadership

English-Korean bilingual

P&L management

ERP systems

Cross-functional leadership

Strategic planning

M&A support

Budgeting & financial controls

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

USP, a New Jersey-based importer and distributor of flat-rolled steel, seeks a Chief Operating Officer to own day-to-day operations, guide cross-functional teams, and translate strategic priorities into actionable plans with clear milestones.

The COO will lead department heads, drive KPI dashboards, oversee supply chain, logistics, and compliance, and support M&A work, while maintaining disciplined governance and transparent communication with ownership.