10103 – COO

Title: Chief Operating Officer
Employee Type: Full Time
Education: Bachelor’s Degree
Experience: 5+ years previous experience
Location: Pennsylvania
Contact: robert@haskelthompson.com
Phone: 239-302-3569

Scope:
The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a senior executive role responsible for the overall operational performance of the Company. The COO works in close partnership with the Chief Executive Officer to ensure that daily business operations are efficient, well-managed, and aligned with the Company's strategic direction. The COO has direct operational oversight of Service & Installation, IT Department, Delivery, Propane & Fleet, Customer Interaction, and Business Development. This role translates executive strategy into operational plans, builds and holds accountable a high-performing leadership team, and ensures the organization has the structure, systems, and talent to execute its goals.

The COO serves as an officer of the Company and key business partner to the Chief Executive Officer.
Responsibilities:

• The CEO sets strategic direction and Company vision. The COO translates that vision into executable operational plans and is accountable for delivering results against them.
• The COO provides the CEO with regular, candid updates on operational performance, people issues, emerging risks, and planned adjustments.
• The COO acts with the CEO's authority in operational matters and may represent the CEO internally and externally as appropriate.
• Together, the CEO and COO align on organizational priorities, hiring levels, and the pace of growth.
• The CEO and COO meet regularly as an executive team to review Company performance, make decisions that require cross-functional input, and ensure the organization is moving in a unified direction.
• Both share accountability for the Company's annual goals and are expected to surface disagreements directly and resolve them at the executive level rather than allowing them to cascade into the organization.
• Both roles present a unified picture to the broader Leadership Team: alignment at the top is non-negotiable.
• Serves as a trusted partner to the CEO, providing regular updates on operational performance, emerging risks, and planned adjustments to business strategy.
• Participates in Leadership Team planning and strategy sessions; contributes operational perspective to company-wide decision making.
• Acts in the CEO's capacity as needed.
• Collaborates with the Controller and HR Director as an executive team to ensure the Company's financial, operational, and people strategies are integrated and mutually reinforcing.
• Leads the annual operations planning process in close coordination with the Controller, ensuring operational plans are financially grounded and resourced appropriately.
• Develops and maintains KPIs and reporting tools that give the executive and management teams clear visibility into operational health.
• Monitors performance against plan; identifies variances, determines root cause, and drives corrective action in a timely manner.
• Implements business strategies developed in collaboration with the CEO, with clear accountability for outcomes.
• Provides strategic oversight and operational accountability for Service & Installation, Delivery, Transport, Propane & Fleet, Customer Interaction, and Business Development.
• Analyzes each division's operations to identify opportunities for process improvement, cost efficiency, and service quality enhancement.
• Builds and maintains strong relationships with key customers, partners, and stakeholders as relevant to each operating area.
• Evaluates departmental structures and staffing; develops and implements plans for continuous improvement in organizational effectiveness.
• Ensures that each division is appropriately resourced; escalates staffing needs to the CEO and coordinates financial implications with the Controller as required.
• Drives process improvement across the organization on an ongoing basis.
• Conducts regular check-ins with all direct reports to discuss business context, performance, goals, and challenges.
• Assigns work with clarity, ensuring employees understand expectations, timelines, and available resources.
• Coaches and develops direct reports; creates opportunities for growth and increased effectiveness in role.
• Ensures new employees are effectively onboarded into their role, working relationships, and company culture.
• Makes and communicates disciplinary decisions, up to and including termination, in accordance with company policy.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or related field
• 5+ years of experience in petroleum, fuel, or HVAC industry
• Proven executive-level leadership experience
• Performance management and accountability systems
• Highly organized with strong follow-through
• Excellent communication skills for effective client interaction and collaboration within the team
• Ability to work independently while managing multiple tasks under tight deadlines