Independent Building Materials Dealer Seeks Chief Operating Officer

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August 25, 2022 – Schaffer Associates is recruiting for a Chief Operating Officer (COO) for a highly successful independent, family-owned building materials supplier. With a “vision for growth,” the scope of this leadership position includes developing and implementing strategic plans focused on key performance indicators with the ultimate goal of making the divisions more competitive and profitable in the markets they serve while upholding the strong set of core values on which the company has been built. This is to be accomplished by performing the following duties individually or through subordinate managers.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & TASKS:

• Performs those duties as prescribed by the Owner to proactively define business strategies and objectives and to develop organizational policies.
• Establishes responsibilities and defines procedures with the goal of making the Company and its locations more competitive and more effectively positioned to address both the opportunities and the continued challenges of competition in the markets served.
• With the input of all the operating teams and respective departments, prepares and submits a comprehensive annual budget for each P&L unit to the Owner.
• Works closely and effectively with the team members in each of the Company’s markets to both achieve established financial budgets and operating metrics and to encourage cooperation and unity among the teams.
• Establishes, maintains, and encourages both a personal and corporate focus on decision-making that is based on the metrics available through the Company’s information systems.
• Leads, guides, and directs the staff, which includes Sales, IT, Marketing, Warehouse, Human Resources and Installed Sales among others, in a unified effort to provide value to the Company’s customers through better buying programs, an improved in-stock position, better marketing programs, more profitable relationships with the vendor community, and a greater focus on sales and customer service.
• Maintains and improves upon all vendor programs; develops and adds new programs that will increase sales and profitability.
• Through a clear understanding of lumber, hardware, specialty, and general merchandise retailing, distribution, and installed sales, the COO provides vision and direction for the marketing efforts of the organization while building and capitalizing on the Company’s brands.
• Plans and develops marketing and personnel policies designed to improve the company’s image and relations with employees, customers, the community, and the industry.
• Leads, guides and directs in developing effective advertising and public relations strategies that accurately portray the Company, its values, and its promotional offerings through both traditional and social media.
• Applies the principles of Lean Enterprise focused on providing value to the customer and adopting continuous improvement methodology and tactics during fulfillment from order through to delivery.
• Maintains and improves upon all vendor programs; develops and adds new programs that will increase sales and profitability.
• Through a clear understanding of lumber, hardware, specialty, and general merchandise retailing, distribution, and installed sales, the COO provides vision and direction for the marketing efforts of the organization while building and capitalizing on the Company’s brands.
• Plans and develops marketing and personnel policies designed to improve the Company’s image and relations with employees, customers, the community, and the industry.
• Leads, guides, and directs in developing effective advertising and public relations strategies that accurately portray the Company, its values, and its promotional offerings through both traditional and social media.
• Evaluates the performance of the management team for compliance with the policies and objectives of the organization and for their contributions in attaining to Company objectives.
• Builds the Company’s talent base by developing the managerial and business skills of employees at all levels and by recruiting new team members to augment the skills and capabilities of current employees for future growth.
• Fully embraces the tradition, heritage, culture, and sense of community that is the hallmark of the Company.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree (B.A., B.S. or B.B.A.) from four-year college or university; M.B.A. or other advanced degree preferred.
• 10 years of multi-unit, general management experience in the retail LBM/Hardware or similar industries with full P&L responsibility and accountability.
• Demonstrated strong financial acumen with a track record of growth and profitability.
• Strong retail experience base, preferably in general building materials, hardware, installed sales, and/or specialty consumer product categories.
• Branch management and customer service experience is foundational.
• Experience in managing or direct interaction with retail functions to include Purchasing, Human Resources, Finance, IT and Loss Prevention.
• Documented focus on strategic planning, budgeting, and execution.

This job posting is for information purposes only. Nothing herein should be construed as an offer or guarantee of employment.

Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Schaffer Associates is a national management consulting firm specializing in executive search and organizational strategies for the hardware, home improvement, building materials, and consumer products industries. As the premier management consulting firm serving the industry, we help build organizations and leadership teams that foster corporate growth and success well into the future.