Job Description

Job Description

President & CEO – Manufacturing Company

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Location: Chicago Metro Area

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Employment Type: Full-Time

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Seniority Level: Executive

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Posted by: Flying Horse Capital on behalf of a strategic partner

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About Flying Horse Capital

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Flying Horse Capital is a Dallas-based permanent capital firm that acquires and holds lower-middle-market founder- and family-owned businesses. We invest with no exit timeline, partnering with operators to build durable companies that last for generations.

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About Our Partner

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We are conducting this search on behalf of a longtime strategic partner that shares our commitment to patient capital, strong operating leadership and preserving the legacy of founder-built businesses.

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Our partner invests in U.S.-based founder- and family-owned companies through a long-term hold model. The firm brings an established track record, a disciplined approach to capital and an experienced team that supports business leaders through growth.

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The Opportunity

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Our partner is seeking a President & CEO to lead an established manufacturing business in the Chicago metro area. The company has loyal customers, a skilled workforce and a strong reputation. Its next chapter centers on organic growth.

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This role calls for a commercially driven operator who can deepen customer relationships, win new business, enter new markets and build a culture of accountability. The President & CEO will pair a hands-on sales approach with the operational and financial discipline needed to scale profitably.

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The successful candidate will have full P&L responsibility, meaningful authority to lead the company, the backing of patient capital and an opportunity to participate in the value they create.

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Key Responsibilities

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Strategy and Leadership

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• Own the company’s P&L and set its strategic direction.
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• Develop and execute a multiyear growth plan in partnership with ownership.
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• Represent the company with customers, employees, suppliers and the community.
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• Lead capital allocation decisions across capacity, equipment, technology and talent.
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Revenue Growth

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• Lead organic revenue growth through direct customer engagement and leadership of the sales organization.
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• Deepen existing customer relationships and expand share of wallet.
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• Identify and win new customers across markets, industries and geographies.
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• Build and strengthen the sales function, including talent, processes, pipeline management, compensation and CRM adoption.
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• Improve pricing strategy and margin management.
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• Personally lead key customer relationships and strategic sales opportunities.
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Operations

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• Align capacity, throughput, quality, safety and on-time delivery with the company’s growth goals.
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• Drive continuous improvement across manufacturing, supply chain and procurement.
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• Modernize systems and reporting while preserving the practices that underpin the company’s success.
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People and Culture

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• Build, develop and retain a strong leadership team.
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• Respect the company’s culture and legacy while strengthening accountability and performance.
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• Create an environment where employees can contribute, develop and advance.
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• Build a pipeline of future leaders and establish succession plans for key roles.
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Financial Stewardship

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• Partner with finance leadership on budgeting, forecasting and KPI management.
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• Provide ownership with clear, timely and candid performance reporting.
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• Manage working capital and cash flow with discipline.
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Priorities for the First 12–18 Months

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• Develop a thorough understanding of the company’s customers, employees, operations and financial performance.
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• Build trust with the team and key customers.
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• Assess the leadership team and sales organization, addressing talent and capability gaps.
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• Deliver a clear growth strategy aligned with ownership.
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• Establish consistent sales processes, pipeline visibility and performance reporting.
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• Demonstrate early progress through new customer wins and revenue growth.
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Qualifications

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Experience

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• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience, including P&L ownership as a President, CEO, General Manager or division leader.
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• Manufacturing, industrial products or related B2B experience strongly preferred.
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• Demonstrated success driving organic revenue growth.
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• Experience in lower-middle-market, founder-led, family-owned or privately held businesses.
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• A track record of building or transforming a sales organization.
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Leadership Qualities

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• A strong sales orientation and comfort personally developing relationships and winning business.
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• A hands-on, approachable leadership style, with the ability to engage effectively on the shop floor, with customers and in the boardroom.
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• A builder’s mindset and a long-term approach to decision-making.
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• Strong financial acumen and an understanding of profitability, cash flow and value creation.
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• The ability to attract, develop and retain strong talent.
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• High integrity and respect for the legacy of founder-built businesses.
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• Clear, direct communication with ownership, employees and customers.
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Education and Location

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• Bachelor’s degree required; MBA or equivalent experience preferred.
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• Based in the Chicago metro area or willing to relocate.
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Compensation and Ownership

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• Competitive base salary of up to $250,000 .
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• Annual performance bonus tied to growth and profitability.
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• Equity options in the business.
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• Co-investment rights alongside the firm in future investments.
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• Potential pathway to a broader Operating Partner role supporting the firm’s portfolio and future acquisitions.
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• Comprehensive benefits package.
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Why This Opportunity Stands Out

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This role combines executive leadership with the opportunity to build lasting value and participate in the company’s success.

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• Patient capital: A long-term hold model with no forced exit timeline.
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• Leadership authority: Responsibility for running the company, supported by experienced ownership.
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• Ownership participation: Equity options and co-investment rights.
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• Career development: Potential to expand into a broader Operating Partner role.
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• Established backing: A partner with a long-standing track record of building successful businesses.
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Hiring Process

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1. Initial conversation with Flying Horse Capital.
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2. Interviews with the partner firm’s leadership.
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3. Site visit and meetings with the company’s team.
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Job Tags

Permanent employment, Full time, Relocation

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