Role Overview for Chief Operating Officer with a Specialty Chemicals Co. – Baton Rouge, LA

JRG Partners is proud to announce an exclusive executive search for a transformative Chief Operating Officer (COO) on behalf of our client, a premier, innovation-driven specialty chemicals company headquartered in the strategic industrial hub of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. This is a rare opportunity to join the C-suite of a dynamic, privately-held organization poised for significant growth and market expansion. The successful candidate will be a visionary operational leader with a profound understanding of the chemical manufacturing landscape, ready to steer the company towards unparalleled levels of efficiency, quality, and profitability.

As the COO, you will serve as the right hand to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), translating the company’s strategic vision into actionable, measurable operational plans. You will assume full responsibility for the entire spectrum of operations, including multi-site manufacturing, supply chain management, environmental health and safety (EHS), quality assurance, and engineering.

This role is not merely about maintaining the status quo; it is about architecting a future-proof operational framework that fosters a culture of continuous improvement, embraces technological innovation, and champions a world-class safety record. You will be the driving force behind operational excellence, ensuring that the company’s production capabilities are not only robust and reliable but also agile and scalable to meet the evolving demands of a global market. Your leadership will directly impact the company’s bottom line, its market reputation, and its ability to capitalize on new opportunities. We are seeking a leader who can inspire teams, optimize complex processes, and build a legacy of operational superiority in the competitive specialty chemicals sector.

Key Responsibilities of Chief Operating Officer with a Specialty Chemicals Co. – Baton Rouge, LA

The Chief Operating Officer will have a broad and impactful mandate, overseeing all core operational functions of the business. Key responsibilities are comprehensive and include:

Strategic & Operational Leadership

• Partner with the CEO and executive team to develop and execute the company’s long-term strategic plan, ensuring operational capabilities align with growth objectives.
• Direct and oversee all manufacturing operations across multiple plant sites, ensuring production targets for volume, quality, cost, and safety are consistently met or exceeded.
• Champion a culture of operational excellence by implementing and refining methodologies such as Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and Total Quality Management (TQM) to drive efficiency and reduce waste.
• Lead the global supply chain function, including procurement, logistics, inventory management, and distribution, to optimize cost, ensure material availability, and enhance customer service.
• Provide strategic oversight for all capital projects, from conception and budgeting to execution and commissioning, ensuring they are completed on time, within budget, and deliver the expected ROI.

EHS, Quality & Regulatory Compliance

• Uphold and advance a world-class safety culture, ensuring all operations adhere to the highest standards of environmental health and safety (EHS). Drive initiatives to achieve zero-incident performance.
• Guarantee compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations (EPA, OSHA, etc.) and maintain all necessary permits and certifications for plant operations.
• Oversee the Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) departments, ensuring products consistently meet stringent customer specifications and industry standards (e.g., ISO 9001).
• Stay abreast of evolving industry regulations and best practices, ensuring the company remains a leader in responsible chemical manufacturing, in line with guidelines from organizations like the American Chemistry Council.

Financial Acumen & P&L Management

• Assume full P&L responsibility for the company’s operational divisions, developing and managing annual budgets, and providing accurate forecasting.
• Analyze operational and financial data to identify trends, opportunities for cost reduction, and areas for performance improvement.
• Drive initiatives to improve gross margins through productivity gains, raw material cost optimization, and effective management of manufacturing overheads.
• Lead the evaluation and justification of capital expenditures, ensuring a rigorous financial analysis supports all major investment decisions.

Team Leadership & Talent Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of operational leaders, including Plant Managers, Supply Chain Directors, and EHS Managers.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning throughout the operational organization.
• Implement robust talent management and succession planning processes to build a strong leadership pipeline within operations.
• Champion effective communication across all levels of the organization, ensuring that strategic goals are clearly understood and embraced by the entire team.

Requirements for the Chief Operating Officer with a Specialty Chemicals Co. – Baton Rouge, LA

The ideal candidate is a seasoned and results-oriented operations executive with a proven track record of success within the chemical manufacturing industry. Specific qualifications include:

Educational & Professional Qualifications

• A Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field is required.
• An MBA or other advanced degree in business management or a related discipline is strongly preferred.
• Certifications in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma (e.g., Black Belt), or Supply Chain Management (e.g., APICS) are highly desirable.

Experience & Track Record

• A minimum of 15-20 years of progressive leadership experience in chemical manufacturing operations.
• At least 7-10 years of experience in a senior, multi-site operational leadership role (e.g., VP of Operations, Director of Manufacturing) with significant P&L responsibility.
• Demonstrable experience managing complex chemical processes, including batch and/or continuous manufacturing environments.
• A proven track record of driving significant improvements in key operational metrics, such as safety performance (TRIR), OEE, production costs, and on-time delivery.
• Experience in managing union and non-union workforces is a plus.
• Experience with M&A, including due diligence and post-acquisition operational integration, is highly advantageous.

Leadership Competencies & Personal Attributes

• Exceptional strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities; capable of analyzing complex situations and developing effective, data-driven solutions.
• Outstanding financial acumen with the ability to read, analyze, and interpret complex financial documents and operational data.
• Inspirational leadership style with a proven ability to build, motivate, and lead high-performance teams.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to effectively engage with stakeholders at all levels, from the plant floor to the boardroom.
• A strong commitment to ethical conduct, integrity, and corporate social responsibility.
• Resilient, adaptable, and able to thrive in a fast-paced, results-oriented environment.

Benefits & Perks Offered

Our client is committed to attracting and retaining top-tier executive talent and offers a highly competitive and comprehensive compensation and benefits package, including:

• A competitive executive base salary commensurate with experience.
• A significant annual performance-based bonus program.
• A long-term incentive plan (LTIP) with equity participation, providing a stake in the company’s success.
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.
• A robust 401(k) retirement savings plan with a generous company match.
• Substantial paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and company holidays.
• A comprehensive relocation assistance package for the successful candidate and their family.
• Opportunities for continued professional development and executive coaching.

How to Apply

This is a confidential, retained search conducted exclusively by JRG Partners. To be considered for this pivotal leadership opportunity, please submit your resume and a compelling cover letter outlining your qualifications and accomplishments as they relate to this role. All inquiries and applications will be handled with the utmost discretion and confidentiality. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. For more information on our executive search expertise in this sector, we invite you to visit our Chemicals & Materials Practice Area.