Chief Operations Officer

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.