Vice President, Strategic Growth Initiatives

Vice President of Strategic Growth Initiatives

This position is with a CPG distribution group, with a global footprint, based in Chicagoland that is backed by one of the top middle market PE groups in the country. The Vice President of Strategic Growth Initiatives will work closely with the CEO and C-Suite on special assignments and projects related to key growth initiatives including, core organic growth projects, Total Addressable Market (TAM) expansion and supporting M&A opportunities. This role will report to the CEO but work cross-functionally to drive high-impact growth projects. As a key member of the executive team, this leader will be responsible for aligning growth initiatives with the company’s long-term vision, driving operational improvements, and ensuring the business is positioned for future success. Projects will range from short strategic engagements to large transformational programs.

The ideal candidate will be a hands-on leader who excels at both strategic oversight and tactical execution, capable of managing complex growth initiatives and driving them to completion while maintaining a focus on long-term value creation.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage and execute strategic growth initiatives, including new service lines, market entry strategies, and product expansion, while collaborating within a matrixed organizational structure.
• Develop and maintain a prioritized value creation plan and 3-year strategy in partnership with the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), CEO, and Board of Directors.
• Lead strategic initiatives through presentations and discussions in Board Meetings, company-wide forums, and across the organization.
• Support M&A pipeline management by cultivating relationships and accelerating deal closures.
• Address day-to-day operational challenges as directed by the CEO.
• Collaborate with functional leaders to evaluate and prioritize value creation opportunities, establishing clear timelines and ownership for all initiatives.
• Balance strategic planning with tactical execution to ensure timely completion of projects aligned with broader business goals.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA)

Education:

• MBA from a top-tier program (preferred) or equivalent business/strategy-focused education.

Experience

• Minimum of 6 years in consulting and operational roles, blending strategic and hands-on experience.
• Expertise in modeling and synthesizing complex financial analyses, operational metrics, and KPIs into actionable presentations and frameworks.
• Direct experience in consumer products, including both wholesale and retail environments.
• Proven ability to lead business transformation and change management initiatives in fast-paced, high-growth settings.
• Strong understanding of private equity environments and the balance between long-term value creation and operational execution.
• Experience in product development, retail, apparel, and sourcing is a plus.
• Exposure to acquisitions, sale processes, international operations, and go-to-market strategies is advantageous.

Skills

• Exceptional leadership and relationship-building capabilities, with a talent for influencing and aligning stakeholders.
• Advanced project management and strategic execution skills, with the ability to manage multiple high-priority initiatives simultaneously.
• Superior verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to articulate complex strategies to executive teams and Board members.
• Proficiency in financial modeling and analysis, particularly for M&A and market expansion.
• Ability to thrive in resource-constrained environments.

Key Attributes

• Growth-Focused and Hands-On: Combines strategic vision with the ability to execute growth initiatives, particularly in acquisitions and market expansion.
• Collaborative Leader: Demonstrates an ability to align and drive success within a small executive team and cross-functional groups.
• Results-Oriented: Prioritizes delivering measurable outcomes by successfully managing complex growth initiatives in dynamic settings.
• Adaptable and Influential: Excels in environments requiring strategic flexibility, strong influencing skills, and effective stakeholder engagement.