Industry
Industrials
Location
Lauter, Germany
Number of Employees
50 - 200 employees
CLIENT OVERVIEW
A German-based company specializing in the manufacture of enamel-coated metal façades and panels approached Avomind to support a crucial leadership hire. Located in Lauter, Germany, the company employs over 135 professionals and is recognized for producing high-performance architectural and infrastructure solutions that combine functionality, durability, and design. Its products are widely used in public buildings, transportation hubs, and industrial projects across Europe, reflecting decades of craftsmanship and engineering precision.
However, after a period marked by operational inefficiencies and evolving market pressures, the company faced the need for a transformative shift. Despite a strong reputation in the façade manufacturing industry, it was confronting challenges related to production processes, cost management, and strategic direction. To regain momentum and position itself for long-term growth, the leadership team decided to bring in a Chief Operating Officer (COO) — a leader capable of streamlining operations, optimizing performance, and leading the company through a structured transformation.
CHALLENGE
Finding the right COO for this assignment proved to be a significant challenge. The ideal candidate needed to possess not only deep operational and technical expertise within the manufacturing sector but also strategic leadership experience — someone who could combine high-level vision with a hands-on approach to daily operations.
Moreover, the niche nature of the enamel-coated metal façade industry meant that few professionals in the market had direct exposure to comparable manufacturing environments. The company’s location in Lauter, a relatively small town, further limited the available talent pool, as most candidates with relevant expertise were based in larger industrial hubs across Germany or elsewhere in Europe. The role demanded someone willing to relocate or regularly commute to the production site while remaining fully immersed in the operational processes.
The client had previously explored several recruitment channels but found that conventional executive search firms either produced candidates who were too corporate and detached from production realities, or who lacked the seniority to lead a full-scale transformation. What the company needed was a balanced leader — strategic yet pragmatic, analytical yet practical, capable of earning the trust of factory teams while implementing measurable process improvements.
SOLUTION
Avomind began by conducting a comprehensive consultation with the company’s CEO and board members to fully understand the scope of the role, key performance objectives, and the cultural context of the organization. Our goal was not only to define the right leadership profile but also to identify the mindset that would thrive in a company navigating change.
Drawing on our extensive network across the European manufacturing market, we designed a targeted search strategy focused on identifying executives with a track record in operations management, process optimization, and industrial transformation. Our research encompassed candidates from adjacent industries — such as metal fabrication, construction materials, and specialized coatings — where professionals often possess transferable technical and operational expertise.
We combined direct headhunting with discreet market mapping, approaching both active and passive candidates across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Each shortlisted candidate underwent in-depth behavioral and competency-based interviews, allowing Avomind to assess not just technical acumen but also leadership philosophy, change management capability, and the willingness to be hands-on in a factory setting.
Within just six weeks, Avomind delivered a shortlist of highly qualified candidates, each pre-vetted for technical proficiency, leadership alignment, and regional mobility.
OUTCOME
The selected candidate — an experienced operations executive with a background in metal and materials manufacturing — joined the company as Chief Operating Officer and immediately set in motion a structured transformation plan. By establishing clearer operational workflows, optimizing production planning, and introducing data-driven performance metrics, the new COO was able to stabilize operations and enhance cross-departmental collaboration within the first months of joining.
The hire brought renewed energy and discipline to the leadership team. Under the COO’s guidance, the company began to experience measurable improvements in efficiency, cost management, and internal communication. The COO’s combination of technical expertise, leadership maturity, and hands-on approach proved to be exactly what the organization needed to transition from a reactive operational model to a proactive, performance-oriented culture.
This case underscores Avomind’s ability to navigate complex executive searches in specialized industrial markets, even when faced with geographic and sector-specific constraints. By combining strategic insight with deep market reach, Avomind successfully identified and secured a transformative leader capable of driving operational excellence and cultural renewal.
In less than six weeks, the client went from identifying a critical leadership gap to onboarding a COO who could lead the company into its next phase of growth. The partnership demonstrated that, with the right recruitment partner, even niche manufacturers in remote locations can attract world-class talent equipped to deliver sustainable transformation.