Chief Executive Officer

Company Overview:

Our client is a manufacturer of high-quality rifle stocks, chassis, and gears. With over 300 employees worldwide, the company is renowned for its innovation and commitment to quality.

Job Summary:

We have been retained to seek a highly experienced and results-oriented Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of the hunting and sports shooting market, particularly within the USA, along with a strong background in sales and distribution in this industry. The CEO will be responsible for expanding the company’s presence not only in the U.S. but also in international markets, as it is anticipated that the U.S. market will constitute approximately two-thirds of the company’s future sales. Additionally, the CEO will focus on developing strategic partnerships with companies that offer complementary products, thereby expanding the company’s catalog and enhancing its market position.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership: Develop and implement a growth strategy that aims to double the company’s sales over the next three years, focusing on expanding U.S. and Canadian markets.
• Sales Leadership: Oversee and drive sales efforts across all platforms, with focus on e-commerce, dealer networks, and distributors, with a strong emphasis on growing market share outside of the U.S. while maintaining the brand’s premium positioning.
• Partnership Development: Identify and establish strategic partnerships with companies that produce complementary products.
• Team Management: Lead and further develop an already functioning and effective team.
• Product & Market Development: Collaborate closely with the product development team to ensure new products meet market demands.
• Board Reporting: Report directly to the board of directors on business performance, strategy, and other critical initiatives.
• Operational Oversight: Ensure that the company’s operations, from supply chain management to customer service, are efficient, scalable, and aligned with the company’s growth objectives.
• Brand Representation: Act as the face of the company at industry events, trade shows, and within key customer engagements to strengthen the brand’s presence in both domestic and international markets.

Qualifications:

• Market Expertise: Must have an in-depth knowledge of the American hunting and sports shooting markets.
• Proven Sales Record: Demonstrated success in sales and distribution within the firearms or related industries, with a track record of driving growth in both digital and physical sales channels.
• Leadership Experience: Strong leadership abilities with experience in scaling businesses and achieving significant revenue growth.
• Partnership Development: Experience in identifying and nurturing strategic partnerships that enhance product offerings and contribute to business growth.
• Strategic Thinker: Ability to develop and execute a strategic vision while managing the day-to-day operations of a fast-paced company.
• Cultural Fit: Highly adaptable and able to work well within an international team, hands-on, sales-driven, go-getter, interested in mentoring a small team, and traveling to meet customers, prospects and negotiate agreements.
• Willingness to Travel: Flexibility to travel. A valid passport is a must to visit European HQ.
• Communication Skills: Exceptional communication skills, capable of engaging effectively with both internal teams and external stakeholders, including the board of directors.