Chief Operating Officer

Title: Chief Operating Officer | Integrator  

Location: Comstock Park MI  

Reports to: CEO/President 

Criterion Automation has been designing, building, and installing custom automation solutions for over 35 years.  We are a privately held, people-centric organization committed to innovation and excellence.   Our 20-person team consists of talented design engineers and skilled craftsmen who have provided many unique and intriguing high-tech automation solutions for our customers.    Criterion operates within EOS framework.    

Criterion is on a growth trajectory.  We are seeking an individual to help maintain operational excellence and implement the changes needed to facilitate our growth in alignment with our top priorities: 

• Achieve sales and profit goals 

• Complete projects that work great, are on time, under budget, and serviced promptly  

• Empower Criterion’s Team so they are engaged and love their job 

• Demonstrate our cultural values (care about people, work diligently, seek solutions, build trust)  

• Prepare for future growth through improved processes, knowledgeable/skilled team & needed resources.   

Responsibilities 

• Maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of Criterion’s operations  

• Build and lead a high-performing operations team 

• Establish and maintain processes  

• Inspire and drive an improvement culture 

• Secure operational resources - people, equipment, software, and facilities  

• Identify issues, opportunities and risks and implement needed actions  

• Facilitate an effective meeting rhythm 

• Manage supplier relationships 

• Work collaboratively with the leadership team to set and achieve strategic goals 

• Oversee budget creation and implementation 

 Attributes of the Ideal Candidate 

Servant Attitude: Demonstrates a commitment to benefiting the team above self, actively listens, shows empathy, is aware of team needs, and fosters collaborative participation.   

Relationship Builder: Respected and likable, with the ability to inspire the team, manage relationships and resolve conflict. Communicates with clarity and openness.   

Drive: Pushes both the team and self to excel, improve, achieve goals, and learn 

Proactive:  Anticipates potential challenges and opportunities, and takes initiative to address them before they become an issue  

Problem Solver: Adept at getting to the root of issues and implementing necessary actions with wisdom 

Organized & Disciplined: Productive, thorough, and detail oriented.  Implements effective & efficient systems for self and team.  

Strategic & Tactical Thinker: Capable of developing and implementing strategies and tactics to move from the current state to the desired future state 

Education and Experience 

• Bachelor’s degree – business or engineering  

• Proven leadership experience in a senior management position 

• Background in business and/or engineering operations 

• Expertise in project-based operations (automation advantageous but not required) 

If this position is of interest to you, we look forward to beginning a discussion of the opportunities Criterion can offer you as well as the knowledge, experience, energy, attitude, interests and skills you will bring to Criterion.