Executive search
Operations & Manufacturing
No postings. No stacks of resumes. No chasing. You choose from a short list of people who have done this before.
No upfront fee. You pay only if you engage someone we present.
Interim Headhunters starts with the work behind this request: When securing an Interim COO or VP of Operations, we prioritize individuals who demonstrate verified experience running multi-site operations at comparable scales. Our vetting process centers on a candidate's command of operational cadence and their technical capacity to execute value creation or integration plans.
This is what we do all day: place interim executives, interim managers and contract professionals.
Need someone now? Call 305-306-4829.
You have a business to run.
Hiring a senior person yourself takes time you do not have. Here is what we hear from owners and hiring managers every week.
Not sure if you need interim or fractional? Use the decision helper
- The seat is open and the work is piling up on you.
- A job posting brings in hundreds of resumes and none of them have done the job.
- You do not have weeks to screen, chase and schedule.
- You need to know the person can do it before they start, not after.
- No upfront fee
- 2 to 3 vetted consultants per assignment
- Matched to your industry
- You choose
- Interim plus permanent search
Operations & Manufacturing titles we fill
Titles with a page link through to it. The rest are titles we also fill; choose one and we pass it to the form with your request.
- Interim COOSpecialist search for Interim COO. Discuss the scope, relevant experience and several vetted options. No fee unless you engage someone we present.
- Acting COOSpecialist search for Interim COO. Discuss the scope, relevant experience and several vetted options. No fee unless you engage someone we present.
- Temporary COOSpecialist search for Interim COO. Discuss the scope, relevant experience and several vetted options. No fee unless you engage someone we present.
- Interim Chief Operating OfficerSpecialist search for Interim COO. Discuss the scope, relevant experience and several vetted options. No fee unless you engage someone we present.
- Fractional COOSpecialist search for Fractional COO. Discuss the scope, relevant experience and several vetted options. No fee unless you engage someone we present.
- Part-time COOSpecialist search for Fractional COO. Discuss the scope, relevant experience and several vetted options. No fee unless you engage someone we present.
- Outsourced COOSpecialist search for Fractional COO. Discuss the scope, relevant experience and several vetted options. No fee unless you engage someone we present.
- Interim VP OperationsSpecialist search for Interim VP Operations. Discuss the scope, relevant experience and several vetted options. No fee unless you engage someone we present.
- Interim Operations DirectorHire an Interim Operations Director to manage manufacturing rhythms, optimize production efficiency and enforce accountability within your operations.
- Interim Director of OperationsHire an Interim Operations Director to manage manufacturing rhythms, optimize production efficiency and enforce accountability within your operations.
- Interim Plant ManagerSpecialist search for Interim Plant Manager. Discuss the scope, relevant experience and several vetted options. No fee unless you engage someone we present.
- Interim Site LeaderAn Interim Site Leader manages daily facility operations, production targets and staff accountability. We provide executive-level oversight for manufacturing environments.
- Interim Director of ManufacturingHire an Interim Director of Manufacturing to manage production quality, labor efficiency and plant performance during a period of transition.
- Interim VP QualitySpecialist search for Interim VP Quality. Discuss the scope, relevant experience and several vetted options. No fee unless you engage someone we present.
- Interim Quality ManagerSpecialist search for Interim Quality Manager. Discuss the scope, relevant experience and several vetted options. No fee unless you engage someone we present.
- Quality ManagerSpecialist search for Interim Quality Manager. Discuss the scope, relevant experience and several vetted options. No fee unless you engage someone we present.
- Interim Head of EHSSpecialist search for Interim Head of EHS. Discuss the scope, relevant experience and several vetted options. No fee unless you engage someone we present.
- Interim Continuous Improvement DirectorSpecialist search for Interim Continuous Improvement Director. Discuss the scope, relevant experience and several vetted options. No fee unless you engage someone we present.
- Interim Director of Engineering (Manufacturing)Find an Interim Director of Engineering to manage technical teams, improve production quality, and establish engineering standards in your manufacturing firm.
- Interim Head of Customer OperationsAn Interim Head of Customer Operations manages the daily execution of client services and team output. We identify leaders who fix bottlenecks and enforce processes.
- Interim Director of Field OperationsAssess the qualifications of an Interim Director of Field Operations. Learn how to verify field management records and operational expertise.
- Interim Director of Maintenance & ReliabilityEngage an executive interim director to modernize maintenance, reduce equipment failures and establish reliable plant operations.
- Operations executiveFind an operations executive to stabilize workflows, improve output consistency, and manage complex production or delivery transitions.
- Integrator (EOS)Find an executive Integrator to run your EOS business systems and manage your team accountability, ensuring owner-led operations scale effectively.
- Fractional Operations ExecutiveHire a Fractional Operations Executive to install management systems, coach your existing team and document processes to replace owner-led chaos.
- Interim Head of OperationsHire an Interim Head of Operations to manage site productivity, labor efficiency, and service delivery without a permanent executive search timeline.
- Interim Site DirectorAn Interim Site Director stabilizes manufacturing sites by overseeing multi-departmental safety, quality, delivery, and cost metrics at an executive level.
- Interim Plant DirectorHire an experienced Interim Plant Director to stabilize complex manufacturing operations, optimize multi-site performance, and lead immediate plant turnarounds.
- Interim Factory ManagerHire an Interim Factory Manager to bridge leadership gaps. We source, screen, and vet operational experts for immediate site stabilization.
- Interim Quality DirectorHire an interim executive to fix quality management system failures, manage CAPA recovery, and ensure regulatory alignment in manufacturing environments.
- Interim Head of QualityAn Interim Head of Quality stabilizes manufacturing compliance and audit readiness. Learn how to source, evaluate and hire this executive for your facility.
- QA ManagerHire a skilled QA Manager to manage your quality management system, lead audits, and resolve CAPA backlogs. Focused on production and process stability.
- Quality Assurance ManagerHire a Quality Assurance Manager to own your QMS, manage external audits, and resolve CAPA backlogs with practical, evidence-based leadership.
- Interim EHS DirectorEngage an Interim EHS Director to manage high-hazard compliance, reset safety systems, and bridge the gap between production and regulatory mandates.
- Interim Safety DirectorHire an interim executive to manage OSHA compliance, EPA permits, and industrial safety culture resets. No upfront fee. You pay only if you hire.
- Interim HSE ManagerHire an interim HSE manager to resolve acute regulatory exposure and reset facility safety standards. No upfront fee. You pay only if you hire.
- Interim Lean DirectorAn Interim Lean Director creates measured throughput increases through kaizen leadership and sustainable operational mechanisms.
- Interim Operational Excellence LeadFind an Interim Operational Excellence Lead who delivers measurable manufacturing improvements. We focus on lean deployment and long-term sustainability.
- Lean Six Sigma consultantFind an executive Lean Six Sigma consultant to drive measurable cost and throughput gains through hands-on kaizen leadership and durable operational systems.
- COOSpecialist search for COO. Discuss the scope, relevant experience and several vetted options. No fee unless you engage someone we present.
- IntegratorSpecialist search for Integrator. Discuss the scope, relevant experience and several vetted options. No fee unless you engage someone we present.
Hiring guides
Not sure which title fits? Describe the seat in the form and we will match it.
Related roles
Screening Executive Operational Leadership
When securing an Interim COO or VP of Operations, we prioritize individuals who demonstrate verified experience running multi-site operations at comparable scales. Our vetting process centers on a candidate's command of operational cadence and their technical capacity to execute value creation or integration plans. We evaluate performance metrics such as labor productivity, service levels, and consistent on-time delivery. For site-specific roles like Interim Plant Manager, we filter for those who have directed your specific process type while maintaining safety and cost-control requirements. We confirm every candidate against your unique operational environment to ensure they can stabilize performance immediately. This approach avoids the need for extended onboarding or corporate training. By focusing on practical history, we identify leaders who can step into your facility and start managing output and quality standards during their first week.
Technical Assessment for Specialized Domains
Specialized operational roles demand validation beyond general leadership traits. For an Interim VP of Quality, we screen for mastery of the specific quality system active in your organization, such as ISO 9001, IATF 16949, AS9100, or FDA QSR and GMP protocols, focusing on audit preparedness and CAPA recovery. An Interim Head of EHS must demonstrate expertise in OSHA compliance, EPA permitting, and a track record of safety culture resets. If your project involves an Interim Continuous Improvement Director, we evaluate candidates based on their actual deployment history of Lean systems, seeking documented cost or throughput gains and a methodology for sustaining mechanisms long after the consultant concludes their project. We assess these experts on their ability to diagnose systemic bottlenecks and implement lasting solutions that improve your operational throughput and site-level performance metrics.
Passive Specialist Source Pools
Our process involves active engagement with professionals who are currently employed and delivering results, rather than relying on public job board applicants. We maintain a network segmented by functional profile, such as the Fractional COO who brings fluency in scaling methodologies to owner-led companies. This group consists of operators who understand the nuance of freeing owner time while building process accountability systems. For manufacturing environments, our pool includes plant leaders with experience in unionized settings and lean production. By targeting passive specialists, we ensure that the professionals presented possess the exact operational temperament required for your specific transition. This provides a depth of experience that public advertisements cannot capture, ensuring you see individuals who are currently solving the same production or organizational challenges you face today.
Early Priorities and Handover Protocols
The effectiveness of an interim placement depends on immediate alignment with your priorities. We structure the transition to ensure the incoming executive assimilates into your existing operational heartbeat. This involves defining the scope of authority, where the leader assumes accountability for critical KPIs, labor management, or quality system audits starting on day one. Our process ensures the handover is a strategic transition where the specialist inherits specific production schedules and quality mandates. By delineating responsibilities from the outset, we ensure that your interim leader remains focused on achieving your defined objectives, maintaining steady state production, and delivering measurable gains. We verify that the executive understands the specific constraints of your facility so they can maintain productivity while simultaneously executing the improvements or turnaround plans you have prioritized.
Engagement Scoping and Authority Structure
Engagement scoping is essential to define the impact of an interim leader, whether for end-to-end transformation or a fractional arrangement spanning a specific project. We define the authority levels to match your operating requirements, ensuring the specialist holds the mandate needed to drive organizational change or stabilization. By explicitly detailing the scope of responsibility, we avoid ambiguity regarding the executive's role in your existing management structure. We emphasize a pragmatic approach where the interim leader is empowered to act on performance metrics while respecting existing organizational constraints. This structure allows for a clear exit strategy, providing you with the agility to resolve immediate operational challenges without committing to long-term personnel obligations or permanent structural changes. We ensure the mandate matches the exact duration and depth of the problem at hand.
Search Process and Buyer Decisions
Our process supports confident decisions by presenting vetted candidate options who align with your specified operational needs. We do not provide generic leadership options; we provide specialists whose career trajectory mirrors your specific transition, such as an interim lead capable of performing under pressure during a sensitive safety reset or a factory turnaround. Once we present candidates, you retain control over the selection process to ensure the best cultural and technical fit. We operate on a clear financial model where no fee is charged unless you engage an individual we have presented. This framework allows you to evaluate credentials and situational experience thoroughly, ensuring your final decision is backed by vetted intelligence regarding the candidate's actual ability to resolve the issues impacting your business operations.
Questions
How does an Operations search start?
We define the assignment, reporting structure and experience requirements before approaching candidates. You review vetted options and select who to engage.
What fee do I pay to start?
There is no fee to initiate the search or review candidates. Terms are agreed upon only if you decide to engage someone we present.
When do I pay for these services?
Payment terms apply only after you engage an individual we have presented. You do not pay for interviews or shortlist reviews.
What if no candidate is a fit?
If you do not engage any of our presented candidates, you owe nothing. We will discuss the requirements before deciding to continue the search.
Can I request a confidential search?
Yes, we handle these requests confidentially by suppressing your company name. We confirm what information can be shared before contacting potential candidates.
What replacement terms apply?
We offer a candidate replacement guarantee on standard search agreements. The applicable period and exact terms are set out in the signed client recruiting agreement.
How are recruiting fees agreed?
No upfront fee. You pay only if you engage someone we present. We scope the assignment before quoting; the fee page explains our model.
How soon can we see options?
Availability depends on the assignment and the people who fit it. We qualify interest and commitments rather than promising a shortlist date before the search is scoped.
What if the scope grows?
Discuss new responsibilities before adding them to the engagement. Agree the priorities and record any change to the brief and terms.
Can we extend an engagement?
Discuss what remains unfinished and whether the same responsibility is still needed. Extensions depend on the person's commitments and the agreed engagement terms.
Can the appointment become permanent?
A permanent move can be discussed if both sides want it. Review the future role and the applicable agreement instead of assuming that temporary coverage automatically converts.
How is a confidential search handled?
Tell us what can be disclosed and whom we must not contact. We agree those boundaries before approaching people; do not send sensitive records with an initial brief.
What are the replacement terms?
We offer a candidate replacement guarantee on standard search agreements. The applicable period and exact terms are set out in the signed client recruiting agreement.
What do you not do?
We do not sell job-board reposting as a search or bill hourly for recruiting work. We do not take a retainer unless expressly agreed, and an introduction does not authorize an engagement.
Tell us the seat
No upfront fee. You pay only if you hire. Share the title, the situation and the timing. A person reads it.
The Six-Step Search
What do you get at each step of the search?
We agree what the person must own before contacting anyone. You see how the search is scoped and which backgrounds we pursue. We speak with candidates about the work before presenting them. The Six-Step Search gives you useful written notes and support through interviews, rather than a pile of applications.
- 01
Scope call
We talk through the seat, the business and what has to change.
You get: A one-page role brief you approve before we search.
- 02
Market map
We work out where people who have done this job actually sit.
You get: A short note on the pool and how we plan to reach it.
- 03
Direct outreach
We approach people who are not looking at job boards.
You get: Progress updates so you are never chasing us.
- 04
Screening
We interview every candidate on the work, not the resume.
You get: Written notes on fit, availability and terms for each person.
- 05
Shortlist and interviews
You meet a short list. We handle the scheduling.
You get: Several vetted options and a debrief after each interview.
- 06
Offer and start
You choose. We help settle terms and the start date.
You get: Confirmed terms, a start date and check-ins after day one.
Tell us who you need.
No upfront fee. You pay only if you engage someone we present.
Send us the seat. We will take it from there.
No upfront fee. You pay only if you engage someone we present.