President & CEO

Flying Horse Capital · Greater chicago area, United States

President & CEO – Manufacturing Company

Location: Chicago Metro Area

Employment Type: Full-Time

Seniority Level: Executive

Posted by: Flying Horse Capital on behalf of a strategic partner

About Flying Horse Capital

Flying Horse Capital is a Dallas-based permanent capital firm that acquires and holds lower-middle-market founder- and family-owned businesses. We invest with no exit timeline, partnering with operators to build durable companies that last for generations.

About Our Partner

We are conducting this search on behalf of a longtime strategic partner that shares our commitment to patient capital, strong operating leadership and preserving the legacy of founder-built businesses.

Our partner invests in U.S.-based founder- and family-owned companies through a long-term hold model. The firm brings an established track record, a disciplined approach to capital and an experienced team that supports business leaders through growth.

The Opportunity

Our partner is seeking a President & CEO to lead an established manufacturing business in the Chicago metro area. The company has loyal customers, a skilled workforce and a strong reputation. Its next chapter centers on organic growth.

This role calls for a commercially driven operator who can deepen customer relationships, win new business, enter new markets and build a culture of accountability. The President & CEO will pair a hands-on sales approach with the operational and financial discipline needed to scale profitably.

The successful candidate will have full P&L responsibility, meaningful authority to lead the company, the backing of patient capital and an opportunity to participate in the value they create.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy and Leadership

• Own the company’s P&L and set its strategic direction.
• Develop and execute a multiyear growth plan in partnership with ownership.
• Represent the company with customers, employees, suppliers and the community.
• Lead capital allocation decisions across capacity, equipment, technology and talent.

Revenue Growth

• Lead organic revenue growth through direct customer engagement and leadership of the sales organization.
• Deepen existing customer relationships and expand share of wallet.
• Identify and win new customers across markets, industries and geographies.
• Build and strengthen the sales function, including talent, processes, pipeline management, compensation and CRM adoption.
• Improve pricing strategy and margin management.
• Personally lead key customer relationships and strategic sales opportunities.

Operations

• Align capacity, throughput, quality, safety and on-time delivery with the company’s growth goals.
• Drive continuous improvement across manufacturing, supply chain and procurement.
• Modernize systems and reporting while preserving the practices that underpin the company’s success.

People and Culture

• Build, develop and retain a strong leadership team.
• Respect the company’s culture and legacy while strengthening accountability and performance.
• Create an environment where employees can contribute, develop and advance.
• Build a pipeline of future leaders and establish succession plans for key roles.

Financial Stewardship

• Partner with finance leadership on budgeting, forecasting and KPI management.
• Provide ownership with clear, timely and candid performance reporting.
• Manage working capital and cash flow with discipline.

Priorities for the First 12–18 Months

• Develop a thorough understanding of the company’s customers, employees, operations and financial performance.
• Build trust with the team and key customers.
• Assess the leadership team and sales organization, addressing talent and capability gaps.
• Deliver a clear growth strategy aligned with ownership.
• Establish consistent sales processes, pipeline visibility and performance reporting.
• Demonstrate early progress through new customer wins and revenue growth.

Qualifications

Experience

• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience, including P&L ownership as a President, CEO, General Manager or division leader.
• Manufacturing, industrial products or related B2B experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success driving organic revenue growth.
• Experience in lower-middle-market, founder-led, family-owned or privately held businesses.
• A track record of building or transforming a sales organization.

Leadership Qualities

• A strong sales orientation and comfort personally developing relationships and winning business.
• A hands-on, approachable leadership style, with the ability to engage effectively on the shop floor, with customers and in the boardroom.
• A builder’s mindset and a long-term approach to decision-making.
• Strong financial acumen and an understanding of profitability, cash flow and value creation.
• The ability to attract, develop and retain strong talent.
• High integrity and respect for the legacy of founder-built businesses.
• Clear, direct communication with ownership, employees and customers.

Education and Location

• Bachelor’s degree required; MBA or equivalent experience preferred.
• Based in the Chicago metro area or willing to relocate.

Compensation and Ownership

• Competitive base salary of up to $250,000 .
• Annual performance bonus tied to growth and profitability.
• Equity options in the business.
• Co-investment rights alongside the firm in future investments.
• Potential pathway to a broader Operating Partner role supporting the firm’s portfolio and future acquisitions.
• Comprehensive benefits package.

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

This role combines executive leadership with the opportunity to build lasting value and participate in the company’s success.

• Patient capital: A long-term hold model with no forced exit timeline.
• Leadership authority: Responsibility for running the company, supported by experienced ownership.
• Ownership participation: Equity options and co-investment rights.
• Career development: Potential to expand into a broader Operating Partner role.
• Established backing: A partner with a long-standing track record of building successful businesses.

Hiring Process

1. Initial conversation with Flying Horse Capital.
2. Interviews with the partner firm’s leadership.
3. Site visit and meetings with the company’s team.