Chief Operating Officer

Chief Operating Officer Location: Edmonton / Nisku, Alberta Type: Full-Time | Executive Leadership About the Opportunity Aplin is proud to partner with a rapidly growing North American modular home manufacturer in the recruitment of a Chief Operating Officer. Our client is an innovative, design-driven manufacturer specializing in premium steel-frame modular homes built within a climate-controlled manufacturing environment and delivered throughout Canada and the United States. With approximately $20M+ in annual revenue, a strong sales pipeline, and ambitious plans to scale production significantly over the next 12–24 months, the organization is entering a pivotal operational growth phase. This business occupies a unique position within the market, blending sophisticated modern design, luxury residential construction, advanced manufacturing, and complex project delivery. Their projects are highly customized, design-sensitive homes delivered to discerning clientele across markets including California, Colorado, British Columbia, Ontario cottage country, and other premium residential regions throughout North America. As the organization continues to scale, they are seeking a highly operational, execution-focused leader capable of increasing throughput, improving efficiency, and building operational discipline without compromising quality, customer experience, or the premium nature of the product. The Opportunity Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, the COO will lead all operational functions across the organization, including: - Manufacturing - Design & Engineering - Project Management - Production Planning - Supply Chain & Procurement - Logistics & Installation Coordination - Operational Systems & Workflow Execution This is not a traditional manufacturing leadership role. The successful candidate must be capable of managing a highly integrated operational environment where sales, design, engineering, manufacturing, logistics, permitting, and field installation must continuously operate in sync. The organization has already established strong operational foundations and leadership talent. The next phase requires an executive capable of scaling throughput, increasing accountability, improving operational cadence, and optimizing workflow across the full project lifecycle. Key Responsibilities Operational Leadership - Lead all day-to-day operational functions across manufacturing, project delivery, engineering coordination, logistics, and installation - Build scalable operational systems, accountability structures, and execution cadences aligned with aggressive growth objectives - Drive operational efficiency, throughput improvement, and margin enhancement across the business - Develop operational leadership capability throughout the organization Manufacturing & Production - Scale production throughput while maintaining premium quality standards and customer experience expectations - Optimize cycle time, labour utilization, workflow management, and production scheduling - Identify and eliminate operational bottlenecks in real time - Lead manufacturing operations through disciplined execution and performance management - Coordinate production schedules with sales forecasts and project timelines Design & Engineering Coordination - Oversee workflow and throughput across design and engineering functions - Ensure permitting, engineering, and design deliverables support production timelines and operational targets - Balance customization requirements with scalable operational processes - Improve visibility and accountability around project flow and engineering timelines Project Delivery & Logistics - Own the end-to-end operational lifecycle from project launch through manufacturing, transportation, installation, and customer handoff - Coordinate transportation logistics, crane scheduling, site installation, and multi-jurisdictional project execution - Ensure clean operational handoffs between departments and project stakeholders - Support a high-quality customer experience throughout project execution Supply Chain & Procurement - Ensure material availability aligns with production schedules and growth targets - Strengthen procurement processes and vendor management capabilities - Build supply chain redundancy and reduce operational risk exposure - Support cost management and margin improvement initiatives Technology & Operational Systems - Support continued evolution and integration of operational systems and workflow technologies - Partner closely with internal technology leadership to improve operational visibility, reporting, forecasting, and information sharing - Drive operational adoption of cloud-based workflow and project management platforms The Ideal Candidate The successful candidate is likely a highly operational executive who thrives in entrepreneurial, fast-moving, growth-oriented environments. This individual combines strong operational discipline with adaptability, practical leadership, and the ability to work effectively across both manufacturing and customer-facing environments. Leadership is seeking someone who: - Understands throughput, operational flow, and production efficiency instinctively - Is highly visible and hands-on operationally - Leads through accountability, cadence, and execution rather than hierarchy - Is comfortable making decisions within fast-moving, evolving environments - Can bridge both blue-collar manufacturing cultures and sophisticated design/customer-focused environments - Appreciates the balance between operational scalability and premium product quality The successful candidate will likely come from one or more of the following environments: - Modular or prefab construction - Production homebuilding - Industrialized construction - Advanced manufacturing - Millwork or cabinetry manufacturing - Luxury product manufacturing - Complex project-based manufacturing operations - Commercial construction or integrated project delivery environments Experience scaling organizations through meaningful production growth phases will be considered highly valuable. Qualifications - Proven operational leadership experience within manufacturing, construction, industrialized building, or related industries - Demonstrated success scaling throughput and operational capacity - Experience leading managers and cross-functional operational teams - Strong understanding of production planning, workflow optimization, and project delivery - Experience managing complex operational environments involving manufacturing plus field execution - Comfortable operating within entrepreneurial and evolving business structures - Strong communication, leadership, and relationship management capabilities - Technology-forward mindset with exposure to workflow, project management, ERP, or operational systems platforms Formal education is considered secondary to demonstrated operational leadership capability, scalability experience, and cultural alignment. Culture & Environment The organization operates with an entrepreneurial, collaborative, and relatively informal culture. The successful candidate must be comfortable operating within a hands-on environment where credibility is earned operationally and adaptability is highly valued. This is not a highly corporate or heavily layered organization. Leadership values: - practical problem solving, - adaptability, - transparency, - accountability, - and continuous operational improvement. Compensation A competitive executive compensation package is offered, including: - base salary, - performance-based incentives, - benefits, - and long-term growth opportunity within a rapidly scaling organization. The position is based primarily onsite within the Edmonton/Nisku operation, with some flexibility available as operational integration and leadership relationships mature. At Aplin — together with our brands CompuStaff, Impact Recruitment, and Vantix Systems — we connect great people with great organizations across North America. We believe diverse teams build stronger companies, and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We use AI tools to assist in a fair and efficient matching process, helping our recruiters connect the right people with the right opportunities. To be considered, applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada, including holding any required permits. Our recruitment services are always free for job seekers.