At Blue Marble, our mission is to create purposeful products that inspire a love of learning in children and empower parents to raise thoughtful, confident kids. If you envision working for an award-winning company with a mission you can believe in, a playful and energetic culture, a talented team of coworkers, and a bright future, look to Blue Marble!

The Chief Operations Officer is a senior executive professional who will play a pivotal role in the management of the company's operational activities and ongoing growth strategies. As a key strategic advisor to the CEO and other company executives, the COO provides insightful analyses and actionable recommendations to drive informed business decisions. This role must bring high-growth consumer products business, corporate managerial, overseas manufacturing, financial management, accounting, and general organizational experience, along with a collaborative approach and excellent communication skills. Honesty, integrity, ethics, and strong morals are mandatory for this candidate.

Essential Functions

Strategic & Operational Leadership:

Develop and implement business strategies to support company goals
Manage daily operations across various departments (HR, finance, sales, etc.)
Ensure operational efficiency and process improvement
Develop policies and procedures for best-in-class business practices

Leadership:

Develop and support leadership development and succession planning
Support employee relations, in coordination with HR

Financial & Tax Management:

Oversee budgeting, forecasting, and financial performance, in coordination with CFO, Controller, and/or Finance team
Optimize cost management and resource allocation
Drive profitability and operational sustainability
Support audit and tax-related initiatives, in coordination with the Finance team

Performance Monitoring & Risk Management:

Establish key performance indicators (KPIs), track progress, and modify strategies and tactics accordingly
Identify operational risks and implement mitigation strategies
Ensure compliance with industry regulations and standards

Key Stakeholder & Board Engagement:

Act as key liaison between CEO, employees, and external stakeholders
Present operational reports, plans, and insights to the Board of Directors

Skills, Competencies & Expertise

Integration of business initiatives across global operational units, with consolidation as necessary
Strategic resource planning for 80 – 100 North America-based staff
Divisional budget management and best practices, including external vendors, facilities spending, conferences, trade shows, company events, etc.
Supply chain review and ongoing audit of potential external vulnerabilities and opportunities to bolster efficiencies while maximizing cost savings
Risk management, including proactive identification and mitigation of financial risks.
Company insurance review & negotiation (DNO, Product Liability, Property, Casualty, Marine, Cyber, Fire, Employee Health Care, 401K, etc.)
Company policy review, implementation, and adherence (employee handbook, internal policies, etc.)
High-level contract management and negotiation skills, including vendor relations, licensor relations, software licenses, industry resources, etc.
Oversight of 3rd party operational initiatives, including R&D studies, transfer pricing policy studies, and industry research
Legal & IP-related oversight, including enforcement of company IP and protection against potential outside party infringement vulnerabilities
Advanced financial software and tools proficiency, including Business Intelligence (BI) tools, enabling insightful analysis and accurate reporting
Excellent organizational skills and ability to prioritize duties and time
Comfortable understanding of federal and state income tax regulations and ability to interact with outside advisors to minimize tax costs
Strong ethical standards and commitment to compliance with relevant laws and regulations
Research and facilitation of manufacturing diversification initiatives
International sales office expansion activities, including review and strategic planning around tax, legal, testing, and compliance regulations
Leadership and team motivational capabilities
Top-tier interpersonal communication
Effective and efficient problem-solving
Strategic planning
Executive project management
HR Division Oversight, including recruiting, onboarding, professional development, performance management & retention
Facilities Division Oversight, including purchasing decisions, employee logistics, building maintenance, vendor management, etc.
IT Division Oversight, including information security, risk management, contingency planning, best practices, equipment procedures & allocations
Sales Division Oversight, including customer setup, margin & pricing structures, markdown funding, forecasting, payment terms, and ongoing customer/account relations
Marketing Division Oversight, including marketing, media, and promotional spend planning and budget allocation, licensing partner-related initiatives, external agency and vendor partnerships, programs, tracking-to-licensing promotional commitments, etc.

Required Education & Experience

A bachelor’s degree in business, finance, operations, or a related field is required; Certified Operations Manager, Project Management Professional, Six Sigma Black Belt, Supply Chain Management designations and/or an MBA are preferred.
A minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in operations management and executive leadership, with at least 3 years in a COO role or similar position, is required.

Workplace Arrangement

In-person collaboration is a key aspect of Blue Marble's work culture. This role is designated as a hybrid role, with three days a week expected at corporate headquarters in Ashland, Oregon. This arrangement allows for a balance between in-person collaboration and remote work flexibility.

Blue Marble is proud to offer a generous and comprehensive benefits package, including:

401(k) with company match
Health insurance with multiple plans to choose from
Health savings account
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Employee assistance program
Flexible work schedule
Paid time off
Parental leave

Note: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties to meet the organization's needs.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Blue Marble is an equal-opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability status.

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Chief Operations Officer