Chief Executive Officer

RHH202612

Scrap Metal

THE COMPANY

Operating through a global joint venture partnership, our client is a rapidly growing recycling business experiencing significant growth driven by strong market demand and strategic execution. Headquarters in Virginia, and with operations in two countries and four states, they are expanding its operational footprint and infrastructure to support increasing volume and customer demand, while maintaining a focus on efficiency, environmental impact and long-term value creation.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Our client is seeking an accomplished recycling operations leader to lead a global recycling materials business unit through its next stage of growth, operational refinement, and strategic expansion. With autonomy, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) will be responsible for the overall leadership, strategic direction and operational performance of the business. This role will oversee multiple warehouses with a focus on logistics, inventory management, reporting and environmental/health & safety compliance. Overseeing multiple recycling plants with a focus on delivering highly efficient, high quality operational performance, and development of a high performing culture.

This position will initially report to the President of the holding company during an onboarding period designed to build organizational knowledge, before transitioning to report directly to the Chairman of the Board, with two (2) direct reports.

JOB DEFINITION

This CEO will work closely with the BOD to set long-term goals, drive profitable growth and ensure the company’s financial health and sustainability while scaling up and professionalizing the business. The CEO will lead the senior management team and oversee the successful execution of strategic plans for the business as determined by the BOD. This is a global role with a heavy focus in the United States that requires a highly driven executive who is comfortable operating in a complex, capital-intensive, and fast-evolving environment. The ideal candidate will be a high-performer and detail oriented with environmental experience in recycling operations with a focus on environmental health & safety (EHS), global logistics, warehouse operations & supervision, inventory management/IT and finance. The CEO will bring strategy, operational rigor, risk management, and leadership presence required to unify a complex platform, strengthen market position, and deliver measurable value creation across geographies.

Global scope with oversight across multiple locations, warehousing operations & recycling operations. Assist with ramping up while building and stabilizing multiple facilities.
High stakeholder engagement with shareholders, strategic partners, and customers.
Strategic focus on driving growth and integration, profitability and a strong emphasis on operational discipline, safety, sustainability, and overall financial performance.
Opportunity to shape long-term enterprise strategy in a business with meaningful environmental impact.

SKILLS

The CEO will be accountable for implementing the company’s overall strategic direction, ensuring alignment between vision, operations, and finance. The successful candidate will be a strategic leader with a demonstrated record of building and scaling complex organizations. A combination of strategic thinking with strong operational instincts and the ability to lead through both growth and change. The CEO will be expected to build and maintain solid relationships internally and externally, strengthen performance across the business, and ensure the company is prepared for next phase of growth.

Serve as the primary liaison to the BOD.
Partner closely with the BOD to provide transparency, strategic insight, and disciplined performance. Provide regular updates on company performance and strategic initiatives.
Ability to identify growth opportunities, partnerships and market expansion initiatives.
Oversee budgeting, financial stewardship, capital allocation, and enterprise value creation.
Drive commercial development, strategic partnerships, and potential acquisition opportunities.
Strengthening organizational capabilities, leadership development, succession planning, and culture building.
Advance the company’s sustainability and ESG agenda that supports both mission & commercial objectives.
Work with finance/accounting teams, auditors, and advisors to ensure appropriate financial governance, reporting, internal controls, and risk management practices. Support governance and compliance requirements.

Leadership and Management:

Strategic thinker with the ability to translate vision into actionable plans and measurable outcomes.
Build, lead, and develop a high-performing senior management team.
Foster a high-performing and safe culture aligned with establishing the company’s mission and values.
Collaborative and transparent leadership style, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders.
Create, analyze and monitor organizational performance/KPI’s and implement improvements.
Commitment to building high-performing teams and developing future leaders.
Results-oriented mindset with a focus on accountability, innovation, performance, continuous improvement and employee engagement.
Establish, maintain and ensure consistency of effective organizational structures, operational processes, and reporting and controls frameworks.

BACKGROUND EXPERIENCE

10–15+ years of relevant experience in an executive leadership role as a CEO, COO, President, VP of Operations, General Manager, or divisional leader with enterprise-level responsibility. Open to an executive who’s drive, ambition and hunger to win outweigh years of experience.
Proven track record of driving growth, operational excellence, and strategic plan execution with P&L management, capital allocation and long -term business planning.
Recycling and/or waste operations, environmental sectors are preferred. Must have a background in high volume/high velocity industries such as industrial, logistics, warehousing, and/or manufacturing while overseeing multi-state/multi-location.
Proven experience leading businesses through scale-up, restructuring, or turnaround situations in a fast-paced environment. Proven expertise driving continuous improvement initiatives is key for this role.
Strong financial & operational acumen with the ability to drive strategic direction and align organization to successfully achieve goals/objectives.
Experience with the following is a plus: operating in privately held, and/or sponsor-backed environments, M&A, integration, or international leadership. Experience working within large, complex organizations is strongly preferred. Knowledge of the metal production industry and market is a plus.
High emotional intelligence with a proven ability to build respect, credibility, and trust from the BOD, senior management team, staff and external constituencies.
Deep understanding of inventory management & security, safety, compliance, environmental responsibility with EHS a significant part, and risk management. Commercially astute, metric-driven & people focused.
Excellent problem-solving, leadership, and decision-making skills with a collaborative demeanor. Executive presence, decisive and confident leader with strong business judgment.
Exceptional communication, influence, and relationship-building skills with all levels of leadership.
Resilient, adaptable, and passionate about motivating others to excel through integrity, accountability, and hands-on leadership.
Commercially minded; ability to develop long-term strategic plans inclusive of capturing new business (sectors).

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline is desired; but not required; MBA or advanced degree is preferred.

If you have these qualifications and are looking for a challenging career, please submit your Resume using the button below.

Todd Hohauser

CEO & Lead Consultant

Nicole Regula

VP, Executive Recruitment Operations