Chief Operating Officer

About Micro-Ant and Role Overview

Micro-Ant LLC, based in Jacksonville, Florida, specializes in the design and manufacture of bespoke antenna systems using cutting-edge tools and processes. We are seeking a Chief Operating Officer (COO) to lead and be accountable for all operational aspects of the company.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all operational departments including machine shop, manufacturing assembly, shipping/receiving, and procurement.
• Manage operational metrics such as on-time delivery, quality standards, cost controls, and efficiency, setting KPIs and reporting progress to the President and executive team.
• Oversee budgeting and P&L for operations, encompassing labor, materials, capital investments, and cost-saving projects.
• Plan and execute capacity, staffing, and production strategies to match manufacturing output with sales and growth targets.
• Supervise the Production Manager and other functional heads by defining objectives, providing coaching, and structuring workflows effectively.
• Drive the company's ERP system usage (NetSuite or EPICOR), ensuring adherence across scheduling, inventory, purchasing, and shipping operations.
• Manage supply chain, vendor relations, and purchasing to guarantee appropriate material availability, quality, and cost management.
• Promote lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance productivity and product quality within a complex, low-volume production setting.
• Collaborate with Engineering and the New Product Introduction team to ensure smooth transition of prototypes to production, including BOM preparation and first-article inspection.
• Enforce a culture of safety and adherence to regulatory, quality, and industry standards.
• Implement and oversee quality controls to ensure deliverables meet specifications and customer demands consistently.
• Coordinate cross-functionally with Program Management, Engineering, Business Development, and Finance to align operations with strategic company goals.
• Develop organizational capabilities through recruitment, mentorship, succession, and workforce planning to support company expansion.

Required Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Operations, or related disciplines; advanced degree preferred.
• At least five years of progressive leadership in manufacturing operations, including senior or executive roles such as Director or VP of Operations, General Manager, or COO.
• Experience managing multiple operational functions with full budget or profit and loss responsibility.
• Background in custom, high-mix/low-volume manufacturing environments, preferably within electronics, RF/microwave, antenna, aerospace, or defense sectors.
• Strong familiarity with ERP systems like NetSuite or EPICOR and proficiency in MS Office tools.
• Knowledgeable about manufacturing machinery, including CNC machining and assembly line operations.
• Successful application of lean manufacturing and continuous improvement practices (Six Sigma knowledge advantageous).
• Proven ability to scale operations and build effective teams supporting organizational growth.
• Understanding of quality management and compliance standards such as ISO 9001 and AS9100 is a plus.
• Exceptional leadership capabilities with strong communication, coaching, and problem-solving skills.
• Self-driven, results-oriented, and hands-on work ethic.
• Ability to work onsite Monday through Friday.

Additional Information

Candidates who do not fully meet all qualifications but have a strong leadership background and operational focus are encouraged to apply. We value candidates who blend strategic insight with practical execution to advance our operations and company objectives.