Fractional COO — Operations & Supply Chain Execution Lead
📍 Remote / Global (U.S. + Dominican Republic + China)
📅 Engagement Type: Fractional / Ongoing
💰 Compensation: Base + Cost-Saving & Performance-Based Bonuses
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🏢 About Us
We are building a vertically integrated OEM manufacturing and supply chain company under DanKen Industries, focused on engineered consumer and commercial products.
Our primary focus is the development and production of:
- Enclosed cargo trailers (core business)
- Custom rims (wheels) and tires (secondary project)
- Golf carts (emerging product line / near-term expansion)
Our model is structured around:
- 🇨🇳 China → Raw material sourcing & component supply
- 🇩🇴 Dominican Republic → Fabrication, partial raw material sourcing, and assembly (FTZ-based)
- 🇺🇸 United States → Distribution and sales
We operate under a toll manufacturing model, where:
- We control raw materials and sourcing
- Manufacturing partners provide labor and production
- Cost control, transparency, and scalability are core to our strategy
Our objective is to build a disciplined, repeatable, and scalable operational system from the ground up across multiple product lines.
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🎯 Role Overview
We are seeking a highly skilled Fractional COO to lead the build-out and execution of our operational infrastructure.
This is not a traditional operations role.
This is a build-and-execute leadership position, responsible for turning a developing concept into a fully functioning, scalable operation across:
- Sourcing & procurement
- Manufacturing & production
- Logistics & shipping
- Product execution & engineering coordination
- Operational systems & workflows
The ideal candidate will be both strategic and highly execution-focused, capable of stepping in immediately, driving momentum, and building structure in a fast-paced startup environment.
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⚙️ Core Responsibilities
1. Supply Chain & Sourcing Development
- Build and structure the sourcing system from scratch
- Identify and validate OEM factories (China + Dominican Republic + regional suppliers)
- Establish upstream raw material sourcing (steel, aluminum, components)
- Lead RFQ processes, supplier comparison, and negotiations
- Implement cost breakdown analysis and sourcing optimization
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2. Manufacturing & Production Setup
- Structure and implement toll manufacturing partnerships
- Define production workflows and supplier responsibilities
- Align engineering outputs with manufacturability and cost targets
- Develop scalable production processes and SOPs
- Oversee early-stage production readiness across all product lines
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3. Product Execution & Engineering Coordination
- Work directly with engineers and designers to ensure product feasibility
- Validate material selection, fitment, and component compatibility
- Ensure alignment between design, sourcing, and manufacturing
- Support BOM development and cost optimization across product categories
- Bridge the gap between product design and real-world production
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4. Logistics & Shipping Strategy (Critical Priority)
- Design and implement shipping strategy (China → DR → U.S.)
- Focus heavily on DR → U.S. movement, especially for oversized trailer units
- Evaluate transport methods (RoRo, convoy/tow, flat rack, hybrid solutions)
- Optimize early-stage partial shipments (LCL/FCL mix) for samples and pilot builds
- Source and negotiate with carriers and logistics partners
- Build a cost-efficient, scalable shipping model
- Target aggressive cost benchmarks (e.g., $300–$500 per trailer)
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5. Dominican Republic Operations Development
- Identify and develop manufacturing partners within the DR
- Support partial raw material sourcing and procurement locally
- Structure and optimize FTZ (Free Trade Zone) manufacturing operations
- Assist in setting up production workflows and operational infrastructure
- Align DR production with China sourcing and U.S. distribution strategy
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6. Operational Systems & Execution Framework
- Build structured workflows across sourcing, production, and logistics
- Develop execution frameworks and operating cadence
- Implement tracking systems for cost, timelines, and output
- Identify inefficiencies and continuously optimize operations
- Drive execution with urgency and discipline
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7. Financial & Cost Control (Operational)
- Develop and manage unit economics (cost per product, cost per shipment)
- Build cost models across sourcing, production, and logistics
- Support forecasting and operational financial planning
- Align operations with cost targets and margin goals
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8. Team Structure & Coordination
- Work directly with the founder and engineering team
- Help define and build out additional team roles (sourcing, logistics, etc.)
- Coordinate across all functional areas to ensure alignment and execution
- Establish clear ownership and accountability across processes
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🚀 First 30–45 Day Objectives (Aggressive Execution Timeline)
- Validate shipping model and cost structure (DR → U.S.)
- Identify, negotiate, and shortlist key suppliers (materials + manufacturing, including DR-based sourcing)
- Structure sourcing and RFQ processes
- Align engineering and product specifications with sourcing strategy
- Establish initial operational workflows
- Begin execution toward first production and shipment milestones
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🧠 Ideal Candidate Profile
- Proven experience in operations leadership (COO / Head of Operations / similar)
- Strong background in manufacturing, supply chain, or industrial operations
- Experience with OEM sourcing and cost structure analysis
- Ability to operate in both strategic and hands-on execution roles
- Comfortable building systems from scratch in a startup environment
- Strong understanding of logistics, shipping, and cost optimization
- Experience working with engineering/design teams
- Highly organized, structured, and execution-focused
- Able to work with urgency and drive immediate progress
Preferred:
- Experience with international supply chains (China, Caribbean, U.S.)
- Background in cost reduction / procurement optimization
- Exposure to toll manufacturing or contract manufacturing models
- Experience in multi-product or multi-industry operations
- Experience as a Fractional COO or early-stage operator
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💰 Compensation Structure
This role will be structured as a performance-driven engagement, including:
Base Component
- Fixed base + cost-saving performance incentives
Performance & Incentives
- Bonuses tied directly to cost savings achieved
- Bonuses tied to production efficiency and scalability
- Milestone-based incentives tied to execution and results
- Long-term engagement and expanded scope based on performance
We are open to structuring compensation in a way that is fully aligned with results, execution, and scalability.
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⚠️ Important Notes
- This is a high-impact, execution-driven role — not a passive or advisory position
- We are looking for someone who can step in immediately and drive momentum
- The environment is fast-moving and requires adaptability and ownership
- The goal is to move from planning into real execution within a 30–45 day window
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📩 To Apply
Please provide:
- Summary of your relevant experience
- Examples of operations or supply chain systems you have built or scaled
- Any experience with manufacturing, sourcing, or logistics optimization
- Your approach to structuring and executing a project like this
- Your preferred compensation structure
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🔁 Long-Term Opportunity
We are building a scalable, multi-product OEM platform.
This is not a one-time engagement — for the right candidate, this can evolve into a long-term leadership role with significant impact on the business.
If you are someone who can build, execute, and scale operations from the ground up, and thrive in a fast-paced, high-growth environment — we’d like to connect.
DanKen Industries
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