Job Description

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) - Direct Hire

Location: Houston, TX
Posted: May 15, 2025
Travel: Up to 15% domestic
Reports To: Board of Directors

Position Summary

Our client, a portfolio company of a leading private equity firm, seeks a dynamic Chief Executive Officer to lead its industrial manufacturing business in Houston, TX. The ideal candidate will spearhead the transformation of the company into a standalone, high-growth industrial technology leader. This role demands achieving ambitious revenue growth organically while delivering strong returns on invested capital. The CEO will build a scalable commercial engine, enhance sales and marketing capabilities, and establish a foundation for operational excellence by embedding Lean principles and fostering a high-performance culture of Continuous Improvement.

We seek a strategic, hands-on leader with commercial acumen, financial discipline, and Lean expertise to drive scalable growth in a complex, project-based environment while promoting accountability and transparency.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive Organic Growth: Accelerate revenue growth by optimizing sales processes, enhancing funnel management, and positioning the team for sustained expansion.

• Lead Commercial Transformation: Overhaul the end-to-end commercial process, from demand generation and pipeline management to key account development.

• Financial Stewardship: Manage full P&L, grow EBIT, reduce net working capital, execute efficient transformations, optimize cost structures, and deploy high-impact investments.

• Build Leadership Teams: Develop a high-performing leadership team with clear accountability, empowering business unit leaders to own performance.

• Enhance Technical Execution: Strengthen engineering and project management talent to elevate product development, technical execution, and customer responsiveness.

• Hands-On Leadership: Foster trust and accountability by engaging closely with operations while driving a culture of ownership.

• Lead Lean Transformation: Implement Lean principles, including Strategy Deployment, Daily Management, Problem Solving, and Kaizen, to establish a robust improvement pipeline.

• Strategic M&A Planning: Incorporate mergers and acquisitions into long-term strategy, targeting opportunities to access high-growth markets.

• Formalize M&A Processes: Collaborate with the parent company to streamline due diligence and integration.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field required; Master’s degree or equivalent preferred.

• Experience:

  • 10+ years of leadership experience in industrial manufacturing or automation, including 5+ years in a senior executive role and 3+ years in a mid-sized business unit (<$100M in sales).

  • Proven P&L ownership and accountability.

  • Demonstrated success in strategic planning, goal-setting, and leading teams to achieve long-term objectives.

  • Expertise in commercial transformation, with a strong understanding of market dynamics and customer needs.

  • Experience applying the 80/20 principle in an automation environment.

  • Deep knowledge of Lean principles, including Strategy Deployment, Value Stream Mapping, 6S, Standard Work, Problem Solving, Kanban, Visual Daily Management, and 80/20.

  • Track record of building and leading high-performing teams through recruitment, development, and performance management.

• Skills: Strategic vision, hands-on execution, financial discipline, and the ability to foster a culture of accountability and Continuous Improvement.

Application

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter to [insert application link or contact information]. Join us in shaping the future of a high-growth industrial technology leader!
Careers → VDS Consulting
1-772-722-8811

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