Gardener's Supply Company
Chief Operations Officer
Gardener's Supply Company, Burlington, Vermont, us, 05405
OVERVIEW:
As a member of the Executive Team, the Chief Operations Officer (COO) plays a critical role in driving the companys vision with operational innovation and excellence. The COO will be responsible for shaping and executing our operational blueprint, harnessing technology to streamline processes, enhance customer experience, and propel our business to the next level. This position is responsible for overseeing and optimizing all operational functions of the company, including manufacturing, logistics (including distribution), the customer contact center and retail operations. The COO will collaborate with the executive leadership team to implement strategic initiatives that support the company's growth objectives and ensure operational efficiency across all areas. The position will serve as a culture builder and transformative leader to assist with change management needed to serve the strategic growth of the company.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Strategic Leadership
Collaborate with the CEO and executive team to develop and execute strategic growth plans focused on expanding retail operations and enhancing direct-to-consumer channels.
Lead the Operations Leadership Team by establishing a vision of operational excellence, communication, collaboration, and accountability.
Lead the execution of strategic initiatives to improve operational efficiency, scalability, cost-effectiveness, and customer satisfaction across manufacturing, logistics, customer contact and retail functions.
Develop and implement scalable processes and systems to support the company's long-term growth and operational objectives.
Explore and create new solutions to enhance the companys agility in serving our customers, from all areas of the operations, including logistics, service, manufacturing and retail growth.
Facilitate creation and execution of operational performance and growth goals by working with key leaders in divisions. Implement and report on standard Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to ensure compliance with goals and to identify corrective measures.
Contribute to new business evaluation, growth budgeting and operating profitability initiatives.
Analyze internal operations and identify and drive areas of performance improvement.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to help drive digital transformation initiatives, ensuring alignment with overall business objectives.
Foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement, leveraging technology to solve complex operational challenges.
Assist in developing operational and capital budgets, ensuring resources are allocated effectively to drive productivity and cost efficiency.
Manufacturing and Production
Oversee the management of the companys manufacturing and assembly operations, ensuring production meets quality standards and customer expectations.
Optimize manufacturing processes to enhance productivity, reduce costs, and uphold safety and quality standards.
Assist in driving the New Product Development processes, to include innovative products for the brand generated from our internal manufacturing capabilities
Implement continuous improvement initiatives to increase manufacturing efficiency and capacity
Develop strategic plan for the manufacturing initiative to ensure the operation is fully utilized and resources are maximized
Logistics and Distribution
Determine and implement logistic solutions for the business considering cost effectiveness, efficiency, and optimal customer service. This includes strategic direction for a combination of the current fulfillment operation combined with strategic national fulfillment initiatives to serve our core e-commerce, marketplace and commercial customers and retail store needs.
Manage the companys logistics and distribution network, ensuring timely and cost-effective delivery of products to customers across all sales channels.
Optimize inventory management and supply chain processes to support retail and direct-to-consumer operations.
Maintain and develop relationships with suppliers, distributors, and logistics partners to ensure reliability and scalability.
Retail Operations
Oversee the management of the companys retail locations, ensuring operational alignment with the companys brand and customer experience standards.
Lead efforts to enhance the customer experience, drive sales, and increase profitability across all retail locations.
Develop and implement strategies to expand the companys retail footprint in line with strategic growth plans.
Team Leadership and Development
Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing operations team across manufacturing, logistics, and retail functions.
Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and innovation within the operations team.
Ensure alignment between operations and other departments, including marketing, sales, and finance.
Ensure effective recruiting, onboarding, professional development, performance management and retention of employees.
Invest in talent management through coaching, training, and professional growth opportunities, ensuring a strong pipeline of future leaders.
Promote a data-driven mindset, encouraging teams to leverage analytics and insights in decision-making and performance optimization.
Oversee company operations and employee productivity, building a highly inclusive culture ensuring team members thrive and organizational outcomes are met.
JOB REQUIREMENTS:
Bachelors degree in Business, Operations Management, or a related field
10+ years of progressive leadership experience in operations, with a proven track record of driving transformational change in a manufacturing, retail, or technology-driven environment.
Extensive experience in a senior operational leadership role, preferably as a COO or similar, within a multi-channel retail or manufacturing environment.
Exceptional leadership skills, with the ability to influence, inspire, and drive cross-functional teams towards common goals.
Demonstrated ability to drive operational excellence and business growth through strategic planning and execution.
Experience in managing manufacturing operations, logistics, customer service centers and retail operations at a national level preferred.
Current working knowledge of enterprise information systems and how these systems drive the operations. This would include various programs including ERP, MRP, WMS and Point-Of-Sale solutions.
Demonstrated expertise in technology integration, digital transformation, and process automation.
Strong financial acumen, with experience managing complex budgets, financial planning, and resource allocation.
Superior problem-solving, analytical, and decision-making skills with a focus on data-driven outcomes.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a focus on data-driven decision-making.
Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and inspire teams.
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As a member of the Executive Team, the Chief Operations Officer (COO) plays a critical role in driving the companys vision with operational innovation and excellence. The COO will be responsible for shaping and executing our operational blueprint, harnessing technology to streamline processes, enhance customer experience, and propel our business to the next level. This position is responsible for overseeing and optimizing all operational functions of the company, including manufacturing, logistics (including distribution), the customer contact center and retail operations. The COO will collaborate with the executive leadership team to implement strategic initiatives that support the company's growth objectives and ensure operational efficiency across all areas. The position will serve as a culture builder and transformative leader to assist with change management needed to serve the strategic growth of the company.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Strategic Leadership
Collaborate with the CEO and executive team to develop and execute strategic growth plans focused on expanding retail operations and enhancing direct-to-consumer channels.
Lead the Operations Leadership Team by establishing a vision of operational excellence, communication, collaboration, and accountability.
Lead the execution of strategic initiatives to improve operational efficiency, scalability, cost-effectiveness, and customer satisfaction across manufacturing, logistics, customer contact and retail functions.
Develop and implement scalable processes and systems to support the company's long-term growth and operational objectives.
Explore and create new solutions to enhance the companys agility in serving our customers, from all areas of the operations, including logistics, service, manufacturing and retail growth.
Facilitate creation and execution of operational performance and growth goals by working with key leaders in divisions. Implement and report on standard Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to ensure compliance with goals and to identify corrective measures.
Contribute to new business evaluation, growth budgeting and operating profitability initiatives.
Analyze internal operations and identify and drive areas of performance improvement.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to help drive digital transformation initiatives, ensuring alignment with overall business objectives.
Foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement, leveraging technology to solve complex operational challenges.
Assist in developing operational and capital budgets, ensuring resources are allocated effectively to drive productivity and cost efficiency.
Manufacturing and Production
Oversee the management of the companys manufacturing and assembly operations, ensuring production meets quality standards and customer expectations.
Optimize manufacturing processes to enhance productivity, reduce costs, and uphold safety and quality standards.
Assist in driving the New Product Development processes, to include innovative products for the brand generated from our internal manufacturing capabilities
Implement continuous improvement initiatives to increase manufacturing efficiency and capacity
Develop strategic plan for the manufacturing initiative to ensure the operation is fully utilized and resources are maximized
Logistics and Distribution
Determine and implement logistic solutions for the business considering cost effectiveness, efficiency, and optimal customer service. This includes strategic direction for a combination of the current fulfillment operation combined with strategic national fulfillment initiatives to serve our core e-commerce, marketplace and commercial customers and retail store needs.
Manage the companys logistics and distribution network, ensuring timely and cost-effective delivery of products to customers across all sales channels.
Optimize inventory management and supply chain processes to support retail and direct-to-consumer operations.
Maintain and develop relationships with suppliers, distributors, and logistics partners to ensure reliability and scalability.
Retail Operations
Oversee the management of the companys retail locations, ensuring operational alignment with the companys brand and customer experience standards.
Lead efforts to enhance the customer experience, drive sales, and increase profitability across all retail locations.
Develop and implement strategies to expand the companys retail footprint in line with strategic growth plans.
Team Leadership and Development
Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing operations team across manufacturing, logistics, and retail functions.
Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and innovation within the operations team.
Ensure alignment between operations and other departments, including marketing, sales, and finance.
Ensure effective recruiting, onboarding, professional development, performance management and retention of employees.
Invest in talent management through coaching, training, and professional growth opportunities, ensuring a strong pipeline of future leaders.
Promote a data-driven mindset, encouraging teams to leverage analytics and insights in decision-making and performance optimization.
Oversee company operations and employee productivity, building a highly inclusive culture ensuring team members thrive and organizational outcomes are met.
JOB REQUIREMENTS:
Bachelors degree in Business, Operations Management, or a related field
10+ years of progressive leadership experience in operations, with a proven track record of driving transformational change in a manufacturing, retail, or technology-driven environment.
Extensive experience in a senior operational leadership role, preferably as a COO or similar, within a multi-channel retail or manufacturing environment.
Exceptional leadership skills, with the ability to influence, inspire, and drive cross-functional teams towards common goals.
Demonstrated ability to drive operational excellence and business growth through strategic planning and execution.
Experience in managing manufacturing operations, logistics, customer service centers and retail operations at a national level preferred.
Current working knowledge of enterprise information systems and how these systems drive the operations. This would include various programs including ERP, MRP, WMS and Point-Of-Sale solutions.
Demonstrated expertise in technology integration, digital transformation, and process automation.
Strong financial acumen, with experience managing complex budgets, financial planning, and resource allocation.
Superior problem-solving, analytical, and decision-making skills with a focus on data-driven outcomes.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a focus on data-driven decision-making.
Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and inspire teams.
#J-18808-Ljbffr