The following is a sample of Interim Management searches Stiles Associates filled on behalf of client organizations. In each example, our dedicated executive recruiters worked with the client to craft a custom search strategy, tapping into our proprietary network of proven executives for each client’s mission-critical temporary need.
Company type: Specialty manufacturer
Role: CEO
Why Interim: The company’s full-time CEO left the company after several years in the role, creating an urgent need to fill the position while a search was conducted.
The Interim hire’s profile: Spent over two decades in the manufacturing sector with companies generating around $500 million before transitioning to private equity, where the executive stepped in as an Interim C-suite executive for numerous portfolio manufacturing companies.
Result: The Interim CEO not only steadied the ship, but continued to improve upon the manufacturer’s productivity. The Interim’s success allowed the company to call off its expansive search and offer this person the full-time role, which was accepted. The individual remains in the same role today with a recent addition of President to their title.
Company type: Construction
Role: COO
Why Interim: The company was in the middle of a supply chain transformation while seeking a full-time COO, so it couldn’t wait for the hiring process to play out. This company was deeply rooted in Lean and needed this position to reflect that.
The Interim hire’s profile: A former automotive executive who ran operations for a large global division. This person was hands on with a lengthy track record of overseeing growth and transformation at numerous companies.
Result: The newest member of its C-suite made such a significant and immediate impact that the company ended up hiring this person for the full-time role. The individual’s ability to drive productivity, reduce waste, develop leaders and add value to customers made it unnecessary to continue the time-consuming search for someone from the outside.
Company type: Party supplies manufacturer
Role: Plant End to End Assessment Lead
Why Interim: An Operations Leader was in the process of transitioning out of the company, and it needed a temporary Lean consultant to lay the groundwork for a full-time hire.
The Interim hire’s profile: A longtime Lean consultant with a nearly 30-year record of transforming manufacturing companies from around the country spanning multiple sectors. What made this particular candidate attractive was their experience with a similar type of equipment utilized by this manufacturer.
Result: The consultant evaluated and assessed the manufacturer’s systems, processes, equipment and teams to determine its strengths and vulnerabilities. This person ultimately created a baseline of what it needed with a detailed roadmap for the incoming full-time executive.
Company type: Specialty manufacturer
Role: Vice President, Operations
Why Interim: The manufacturing plant wasn’t running well and needed someone to come in and quickly stop the bleeding.
The Interim hire’s profile: Spent over a decade working their way up the manufacturing ladder from Plant Manager to President thanks to their ability to utilize Lean practices and principles to boost productivity and reduce waste. From there, became President of a manufacturing consultancy firm before temporarily transitioning to the VP, Operations role.
Result: For five months, the Interim hire took his experience to successfully implement a strong culture and boost performance.
Company type: Separator manufacturer
Role: Lean Director
Why Interim: Needed an individual to come in and establish a Lean transformation in a six-month window.
The Interim hire’s profile: A senior-level operations and supply chain leader with 30 years of experience working in manufacturing companies with a strong Lean emphasis. This hire had P&L responsibility for $100 million-plus manufacturing facilities.
Result: The individual implemented a strong Lean culture, developed KPIs and helped build a team to sustain the transformation after the six months expired.
Company type: Nonprofit health system
Role: Operational Excellence
Why Interim: The nonprofit had a critical temporary need that was not going to evolve into something long term. It required immediate OpEx help in short- to mid-term value stream management in its regional hospitals.
The Interim hire’s profile: A seasoned Lean executive with 20 years of experience working in the U.S. Armed Forces and health systems. The Lean Six Sigma Master was self-directive who was in transition between other permanent work.
Result: The health system improved critical areas in LOS (length of stay) and inpatient flow, while assisting in the ongoing efforts to introduce and maintain a Lean Management System. This included coaching at all levels in the disciplines of A3 thinking, leader standard work and visual daily management.
Company type: Tubing fabrication
Role: Production Manager
Why Interim: The company had a sudden and unexpected opening in Operations Leadership, and it couldn’t afford a significant backslide in productivity until it found a replacement. While the company kicked off its search with the intention of this being a full-time hire, it was a difficult location to attract A-leaders to – but it needed a solution, now.
The Interim hire’s profile: A veteran Operations Leader with more than 25 years of experience leading Lean manufacturing environments, eventually going on to serve as a Lean consultant before taking this Interim role. Some of their prior accomplishments include increasing company profits by 400 percent over a three-year window; not recording a single incident for 18 months; and reduced production inventory by 50 percent on a single year.
Result: The leader filled the day-to-day gap and coached to advance Lean at the company. Instead of merely maintaining the status quo and steadying the ship, this person improved production, allowing senior leadership to breathe easy while they continued to search for a more permanent solution.