President & Chief Operating Officer

Client Overview Our client, Midwest Enterprises for the Blind (MWEB) , is seeking a dynamic and mission-driven President/Chief Operating Officer (President/COO) to lead its organization through its next chapter of strategic growth, operational excellence, and community impact. MWEB is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to creating meaningful employment opportunities for individuals who are blind or visually impaired, empowering them to maximize their independence and achieve economic self-sufficiency. As a proud government contractor and partner of the U.S. AbilityOne Program through the National Industries for the Blind (NIB), MWEB manufactures high-quality SKILCRAFT® folding tables, folding chairs, and component parts in Southwest Michigan for federal agencies nationwide. Reporting directly to the Board of Directors, the President/COO will provide executive leadership and oversight of manufacturing operations, finance, human resources, government contracting, compliance, workforce development, and organizational growth. This hands-on executive will translate the Board's vision into measurable results by strengthening operational performance, ensuring financial sustainability, developing future leaders, expanding strategic partnerships, and fostering a culture of accountability, integrity, inclusion, and continuous improvement. The successful candidate will embrace a servant leadership philosophy, maintain a visible presence throughout the organization, and lead with the passion and business acumen necessary to advance MWEB's mission while delivering exceptional products and services to its federal customers. Essential Duties & Responsibilities Lead Organizational Strategy – Partner with the Board of Directors to establish and execute MWEB's strategic vision, operational priorities, and long-term organizational goals. Oversee Business Operations – Direct all aspects of manufacturing, finance, human resources, business development, quality, compliance, and day-to-day operations to ensure organizational excellence. Ensure Financial Stewardship – Lead budgeting, forecasting, financial performance, and resource allocation while ensuring long-term fiscal sustainability and sound business decisions. Drive Organizational Growth – Identify new business opportunities, strengthen strategic partnerships, expand revenue streams, and advance MWEB's mission through sustainable growth. Develop Leaders & Culture – Build, coach, and mentor a high-performing leadership team while fostering an inclusive, accountable, and mission-driven workplace culture. Champion Operational Excellence – Improve organizational performance through continuous improvement, data-driven decision-making, KPI management, and process optimization. Represent MWEB Externally – Serve as the organization's executive representative with the Board of Directors, government agencies, customers, community partners, donors, and industry stakeholders. Advance MWEB's Mission – Lead with integrity, visibility, and servant leadership while promoting meaningful employment opportunities for individuals who are blind or visually impaired and supporting the AbilityOne Program. Experience & Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Operations, Finance, Manufacturing, Nonprofit Management, Public Administration, or a related field required; Master's degree (MBA or equivalent) preferred. Minimum of 10 years of progressive executive leadership experience with responsibility for organizational strategy, operations, and financial performance. Demonstrated success leading cross-functional teams across operations, finance, manufacturing, human resources, business development, and strategic planning. Experience within a nonprofit, government contracting, manufacturing, or mission-driven organization preferred. Experience partnering with or reporting directly to a Board of Directors preferred. Skilled in data-driven decision making , continuous improvement methodologies such as Lean or Six Sigma is highly desirable. Leadership experience managing diverse teams with supervising responsibilities across multiple departments or functions. If you are a mission-driven executive who believes exceptional organizations are built by investing in people, fostering innovation, and leading with integrity, we encourage you to apply. MWEB seeks a servant leader who is equally comfortable shaping long-term strategy in the boardroom and engaging directly with employees on the production floor. The ideal candidate is curious, humble, approachable, and action-oriented; someone who builds trust through visibility, coaches others to succeed, embraces continuous learning, and is committed to operational excellence and financial stewardship. Join us as we continue advancing MWEB's mission through innovative leadership, strategic vision, operational excellence, and meaningful employment opportunities for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Together, we can build a stronger organization and create lasting impact for the employees, customers, and communities we proudly serve.