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.