Chief Executive Officer

Chief Executive Officer - Portland, CT (On-Site)The OpportunityWe have been retained to identify the next Chief Executive Officer of an established, profitable U.S.-based manufacturer of highly engineered capital equipment with a long history in the North American market. The company operates as its own business while benefiting from the resources, technology and strategic backing of a larger international group.This is a unique opportunity for an experienced business leader to take the helm of a smaller, highly technical organization with significant growth potential. The company has a strong installed customer base, experienced and knowledgeable employees, and an established reputation in its market.The mandate is not to turn around a distressed business. Instead, the next CEO will be charged with professionalizing and scaling an already profitable organization—strengthening processes and systems, developing the leadership team, improving operational execution, and creating the infrastructure necessary to support meaningful organic growth.From a company-size perspective, the sweet spot is someone who has led an organization in roughly the $25M–$75M revenue range.What You’ll Be Hired to AccomplishThe CEO will have full responsibility for the company, with leadership accountability across operations, engineering, project execution, supply chain, service/aftermarket, finance and commercial activities.Key Priorities:Professionalize internal processes, operating rhythms and accountability across the organization.Modernize the use of ERP systems, operational data and digital tools to improve visibility, efficiency and decision-making.Strengthen execution across the complete project lifecycle—from customer order through engineering, procurement, assembly, commissioning and customer acceptance.Develop and empower the existing management team while establishing clearer roles, responsibilities and performance expectations.Improve operational efficiency, project profitability, cost management, quality and on-time delivery.Continue developing the company’s external supply chain, including strategic outsourcing, supplier development and supplier quality.Support the introduction and localization of additional machinery and technology from international sister companies for the North American market.Partner with a newly strengthened sales organization to expand new-equipment revenue while continuing to grow the company’s established aftermarket and service business.Maintain strong customer relationships and personally engage when executive-level involvement is needed.The Ideal BackgroundWe are looking for an experienced CEO, President, Managing Director, General Manager or Division/Business Unit President who has already held broad responsibility for a smaller or mid-sized engineered-equipment business.The strongest candidates will bring:Prior leadership experience within an engineered capital equipment, machinery, industrial automation or packaging equipment business.Experience in an engineer-to-order, configure-to-order or project-based manufacturing environment where equipment is engineered around customer-specific requirements.Full P&L and general management responsibility, with direct exposure to engineering, operations/manufacturing, supply chain, project execution and customer delivery.Demonstrated success professionalizing, improving or scaling an organization, rather than simply maintaining an established operating structure.Hands-on experience improving or implementing ERP systems, business processes, KPIs and data discipline.Experience leading organizational change while successfully engaging and developing knowledgeable, long-tenured employees.Technical credibility sufficient to effectively lead engineering teams and challenge project execution issues.Experience developing external suppliers, outsourcing strategies and/or more scalable supply-chain models.Financial and operational discipline, including experience with budgets, forecasts, margins, cost improvement and profitability.Enough commercial experience to engage effectively with customers and understand market dynamics without needing to be a career sales executive.A leadership style that balances strategic thinking with hands-on execution.Experience within packaging machinery or packaging automation would be particularly attractive, although executives from other project-based machinery and engineered-equipment environments will be considered.Experience working within a European-owned, international or private-equity-backed organization is beneficial but not required. M&A and post-acquisition integration experience are also considered a plus rather than a prerequisite.Who Will Thrive HereThis opportunity is particularly well suited for a leader who enjoys building rather than maintaining.The right person will be comfortable moving between the strategic and tactical sides of the business—reviewing financial performance, engaging with engineering, addressing project execution or supply-chain challenges, developing members of the leadership team, interacting with key customers, and working with international group leadership on the company’s long-term growth strategy.This is a hands-on CEO opportunity for a leader who wants to remain close to the people, products, customers and operation while having meaningful autonomy to build the processes and management structure necessary to scale. The CEO will lead the entire company while benefiting from the resources, technology and support of a larger international organization.Compensation & LocationThe targeted base salary starts at $200,000, plus a performance-based incentive program tied to company and individual objectives. There may be flexibility in the mix of base and variable compensation for the right executive.The position is based in Central Connecticut and requires an on-site presence five days per week with no ability to sit remotely. Relocation assistance may be available for the right candidate.Interested?This is a confidential retained executive search. Additional information regarding the company, ownership structure, growth strategy and opportunity will be shared with qualified candidates during the recruiting process.Qualified executives may apply directly through this posting. All inquiries and applications will be handled confidentially.