Wipfli is assisting our client, SUL4R-PLUS with the recruitment and selection of a Chief Operating Officer (COO).

Established in 2013, SUL4R-PLUS is one of the leading fertilizer manufacturers servicing the agricultural industry with a proven, patented Calcium Sulfate nutrient. SUL4R-PLUS operates two established manufacturing facilities, in Louisville, KY and Marissa, IL, and is entering a pivotal stage of growth, both domestically and internationally.

SUL4R-PLUS is seeking a COO who will be responsible for overseeing the company’s manufacturing operations and is energized by the opportunity to help shape this next phase of expansion. The COO will report directly to the CEO and Owners and work side-by-side to influence major decisions, guide the evolution of the operational strategy, and build systems and structures that will carry the company into its next chapter.

This role is designed for a seasoned fertilizer manufacturing leader who thrives in hands‑on, high‑impact environments and wants ownership of operations. The ideal candidate brings deep experience in fertilizer or bulk solids manufacturing and understands how to translate technical excellence into safe, reliable, and scalable operations. Equally important is a passion for mentoring teams, improving systems, and building facilities the right way — not simply managing what already exists.

The Chief Operating Officer will serve as a trusted operational leader, advisor, and strategic partner to ownership, with the authority to influence how plants operate today and how future facilities are designed, built, and commissioned.

This position is in-person and will be based out of their Louisville, KY or Marissa, IL locations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Operational Leadership

• Provide executive leadership for two existing manufacturing facilities.
• Drive consistent operational performance through best‑in‑class processes, standards, and accountability.
• Translate ownership strategy into scalable, executable operational plans.
• Own operational and capital budgets, cost control, productivity metrics, and performance reporting.
• Lead capital planning and prioritization for equipment upgrades, redundancy investments, and process improvements.

Manufacturing & Process Excellence

• Champion safe, repeatable, and scalable manufacturing operations with a strong focus on quality and throughput.
• Establish and enforce operating standards and maintenance strategies that support long‑term asset reliability.
• Oversee quality control systems to ensure products meet or exceed customer, regulatory, and internal specifications.
• Identify, evaluate, and implement process improvements, automation, and technologies that reduce variability and improve profitability.

Growth & Expansion

• Lead the end‑to‑end execution of new manufacturing facilities and major capital projects, including ROI modeling, design, engineering, site selection, vendor management, construction, and commissioning.
• Ensure all expansion efforts align with long‑term strategic and operational objectives.

Leadership & Culture

• Build, mentor, and develop high‑performing plant leadership and maintenance teams.
• Foster a culture of accountability, safety, and pride in workmanship.
• Introduce proven systems and best practices while respecting the company’s entrepreneurial culture.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities :

• Bachelor’s degree in business management, engineering, related field or equivalent work experience preferred.
• Proven senior manufacturing leader within the fertilizer industry or a closely related bulk‑solids environment
• Minimum 5 years of experience leading and supporting operations across multiple manufacturing facilities
• Background in mid‑sized or large organizations, with a desire to thrive in a more agile, high‑impact setting
• International manufacturing exposure is considered a significant advantage
• Hands‑on expertise strongly preferred in:
• Pan pelletization
• Pneumatic conveying systems
• Large‑scale granular fertilizer production
• Demonstrated ability to build, improve, and scale systems — not just maintain them
• Strategic thinker with proven ability to execute on initiatives and provide operational excellence
• Decisive leader who makes informed decisions and fully owns outcomes
• Energized by autonomy, accountability, and the opportunity to create a lasting operational legacy
• Exhibit high proficiency all Microsoft Office suite applications. (e.g. Word, Excel, Outlook, and Project).

Physical Requirements:

Ability to perform the essential functions of the position including, but not be limited to the following:

• Office and Plant environment
• Sit, walk and/or stand for 8+ hours a day. Must be able to bend, stoop, reach and balance occasionally.
• This position requires a flexible work schedule; night and/or weekends may be required.

This position has a generous salary range of $275,000-$325,000 and offers the following benefits:

• Paid Vacation
• 9 Paid Holidays per year
• Health, vision, & dental insurance
• 401(K)
• Company-paid short and long-term disability, as well as life and AD&D insurance

If you would like to learn more about this opportunity, please submit your resume to our client application portal.