Chief Operating Officer

Chief Operating Officer (Confidential Search)

St. John’s, NL or Halifax, NS

A dynamic and forward-thinking Chief Operating Officer (COO) is sought to lead and manage operations for an expanding network of retail locations across multiple Atlantic provinces. This confidential search aims to find a visionary leader who can drive operational excellence and innovation in a rapidly growing sector.

The Organization

Our client is a well-established and financially robust organization committed to delivering exceptional service and value to their customers. With a focus on continuous improvement and innovation, they are poised to expand their operations and explore new markets. This organization offers a wide range of products and services through its strategically located retail locations, aiming to meet the diverse needs of the communities they serve.

The Role

The COO is a key member of the company leadership team and reports directly to the President. This position is a hands-on role with the primary responsibility for leading the day-to-day operations of the business, and developing business strategy and implementation plans to support the company’s long-term growth and evolution. The COO provides leadership to ensure a positive culture of high performance while maintaining effective operational and cost controls, processes, people, and reporting procedures are in place. The ultimate goal of this role is to support effective operations while priming the company to lead the sector through innovation and excellence. This is a permanent position that requires regular travel between Halifax and St. John’s.

Key areas of oversight and responsibility are:

• Operational Leadership and Management
• Strategic Planning and Business Development
• Team Leadership and Development
• Financial Oversight and Reporting

The Ideal Candidate

As the ideal candidate, you are an entrepreneurial leader with a proven track record of successfully managing complex projects and teams. The successful candidate will have a deep understanding of business strategies and the ability to maintain exceptional business acumen with a clear understanding of company values and culture. Your excellent technical and communication skills will help you and the company brand shine at business meetings and while engaging with partners, both in-person and virtually. You are energized by finding solutions, capable of quickly diagnosing problems and applying foresight to mitigate potential issues. You are adaptable to change and thrive in spaces where you can be creative. You are looking for an opportunity to build a legacy in a tight-knit community within a company that strives for excellence. You are a high level contributor to a team of senior leaders, offering future-focused insight and operational strategy advice in a collegial way.

Qualifications and Experience

While the Search Committee recognizes that no one candidate is likely to meet all qualifications in equal measure, those listed below are desirable and will be used to compare candidates.

• A degree in business administration, operations management, or a related field.
• At least 10 years of experience in a senior operational role, preferably within the retail sector.
• Demonstrated success in managing large-scale operations and driving business growth.
• Demonstrated use of data analysis and performance metrics in decision-making and strategy building.
• Demonstrated competency in strategic planning, regulatory issues, and business development.
• Understanding of business functions such as project management, human resources, finance, marketing, etc.
• Strong leadership skills with demonstrated experience in building and managing high-performing teams.
• Experience managing multi-site retail operations and/or operations in regulated environments is an asset.

Skills and Attributes

• Respectful assertiveness, especially when it comes to fostering a culture of performance.
• A strategic mindset with the ability to drive change and innovation.
• A curious leader with integrity, creativity, and sound judgment.
• Financial acumen and experience in managing budgets and financial performance.
• The ability to work effectively with leadership and colleagues.

If you are interested in this opportunity, contact Michelle Doyle at mdoyle@kbrs.ca, or Dr. Jennie Massey at jmassey@kbrs.ca or submit your full application package online at: https://www.kbrs.ca/Career/18275.

KBRS