New Opportunity: Chief Executive Officer
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
ABOUT SKUTT
Based in Portland, Oregon, Skutt is the leading manufacturer of kilns and pottery wheels in North America. With the help of over 85 employees, Skutt is committed to building the highest quality products serving schools, hobby and production potters.
Skutt ensures the highest level of product quality by investing in its people, equipment and lean manufacturing processes.
- Skutt firmly believes that happy employees translate into happy customers. Many of Skutt’s team members have been with the company for over 10 years.
- The equipment used to make heating elements, transform bricks, and build controllers leads the industry in innovation and performance. Skutt knows that great equipment translates into fewer problems and happy customers.
- Skutt is always striving to give customers more value and better quality which is why all team members (office and plant) have been trained in lean manufacturing practices.
Skutt is a family-owned business but is transitioning the leadership of the company to professional executives. Based on this, Skutt is looking for a CEO to continue the legacy in its next chapter of success.
HISTORY
In 1953 father/son team, Ralph and Neil Skutt, manufactured the industry’s first multi-sided hobby kiln in Olympia, Washington under the name “Skutt & Son”. The introduction of this new lightweight design revolutionized not just the ceramic kiln business but the whole ceramic industry by bringing ceramics to the home.
A lot has changed over the last 70+ years. Kiln companies have come and gone, new clay bodies and glazes are constantly being developed that demand greater firing precision, and automatic controllers are quickly replacing the once cutting edge KilnSitter. Throughout the years, Skutt has continued to work hard to meet the changing needs of its customers, but one thing that has remained constant is their fierce dedication to manufacturing quality products and providing outstanding customer service.
THE OPPORTUNITY
Reporting directly to the Board of Directors, the CEO will be responsible for developing and implementing strategic initiatives, driving operational excellence, and fostering a culture of human development, collaboration, and respect. This role will manage the long-term success of the Company and will work closely with the Board of Directors, senior management team, and external stakeholders to ensure the company’s continued success and profitability.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES
- Assist in the development of, and then execute, the company’s vision, mission, and strategic business plan.
- Collaborate with the Board of Directors to align company goals and strategies.
- Inspire, mentor, and lead the senior management team and employee team members.
- Establish long-term goals to maintain Skutt’s position as a market leader.
- Identify opportunities for alliances, mergers, partnerships, and investment opportunities.
- Monitor financial performance and implement strategies to achieve revenue and profitability targets.
- Expand the company’s market share through targeted sales and marketing initiatives.
- Build strong relationships with customers, distributors, and industry partners.
- Represent the company at industry events and conferences.
- Foster a positive, inclusive, and high-performance workplace culture.
- Champion professional development and retention initiatives.
- Manage risks effectively and maintain a strong reputation for integrity.
- Oversee daily operations and ensure efficiency and effectiveness across all departments.
- Ensure optimized manufacturing processes and supply chain management to meet quality and delivery standards.
- Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, and company policies, procedures, and compliance programs.
- Work with marketing teams on SKUTT branding, advertising, and marketing campaigns.
- Maintain knowledge of trends, developments, new technologies, and market conditions relevant to the division and industry.
- Work with customers/distributors and sales teams on contracts, actively assisting with negotiations.
- Provide constructive and timely performance evaluations.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES
- COMMUNICATION: Effectively convey information and ideas through written, verbal, and non-verbal means.
- RELATIONSHIP BUILDING: Establish and maintain positive relationships with colleagues, customers, and stakeholders.
- PLANNING AND ORGANIZATION: Develop and implement plans, set priorities, and manage resources to achieve goals.
- RISK MANAGEMENT: Identify, assess, and mitigate risks to the organization.
- ANALYTICAL: Analyze data, information, and assess situations to make informed decisions or recommendations.
- INDUSTRY TRENDS: Build awareness and stay current on emerging trends, products, technologies, and best practices in the industry.
- STRATEGIC: Analyze the business and make decisions to drive long-term goals and objectives.
- BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE: Collect, analyze, and interpret data to provide actionable insights for business decision making.
- CONFLICT MANAGEMENT: Identify, address, and resolve conflicts in a constructive manner to achieve positive outcomes.
- DELEGATION: Assign tasks and responsibilities to others and hold them accountable for their performance.
QUALIFICATIONS
- 10+ years of related experience in senior level leadership roles.
- Previous experience in product or manufacturing companies is preferred.
- Strong team leader and organizational skills with the added ability to take initiative.
- Highly organized, accurate, detail and multi-task oriented.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Bachelor’s degree is required. Master’s degree is preferred.
Interested in Learning More?
180one has been retained by Skutt Ceramic Products to conduct this search. If interested in learning more about the opportunity, please contact Rochelle Fleischer at rochelle@180one.com / 503.699.0184
180one is pleased to announce our recent partnership with Pike Street Capital and the successful placement of a new Board Member for Superior Duct Fabrication, a Pike Street portfolio company! Superior Duct Fabrication is a leading provider of commercial and industrial HVAC duct systems, known for its high-quality fabrication, reliability, and customer service. The company serves a wide range of industries, delivering complex ductwork solutions with precision and speed. In 2023, Pike Street Capital, a Seattle-based private equity firm focused on industrial growth companies, acquired Superior Duct Fabrication as part of its strategy to invest in scalable, high-performing manufacturing businesses. Pike Street partners with management teams to accelerate growth and build long-term value through operational improvements and strategic leadership. As part of this effort, Pike Street Capital partnered with 180one to recruit a new board member to help guide Superior Duct’s continued expansion and success. Congratulations to Pike Street Capital, Superior Duct Fabrication, and the 180one Search Team on a successful board placement!
Let’s face the music, or the new reality that attracting executives to move across the country for an opportunity has become increasingly difficult for a variety of circumstances. As businesses look to recruit top talent at executive levels, understanding the shifts in migration trends before you launch a search, better yet, as you plan a position, might be the difference of landing a great candidate in a reasonable amount of time, or dragging out a search for the unicorn who can’t be found. Let’s look at some of the factors and trends together that might shape how your organization moves forward in conducting a national executive search. Understanding the 2024 Relocation Landscape The 2024 Allied Migration Report paints a picture of a U.S. population increasingly seeking affordable living spaces, a better work-life balance, and more favorable economic conditions. Despite a 20% overall decrease in interstate relocations from 2022 to 2024, the main driver of those relocating is the alignment of their personal and professional goals. The report also underscores the shift toward midsize cities and suburban areas as more desirable destinations. This trend is being driven by a combination of rising housing costs in major cities, economic uncertainty, and a greater demand for improved quality of life. Companies looking to relocate candidates must consider a range of factors to ensure that they are not only attracting talent but also providing a work environment that matches these evolving preferences. Here are 5 key aspects that companies should score themselves against to determine how desirable their location is for the market. Depending on how one scores, it can help highlight the probability of relocating or needing to adjust the candidate profile to match candidates in the current geographic market not needing relocation. 1. Housing Affordability and Living Costs One of the most significant motivators for relocation in 2024 is housing affordability. In 2023, soaring housing costs in urban centers like San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Chicago pushed many people to consider smaller cities and suburban areas where the cost of living is lower. When relocating candidates, it's crucial for employers to consider how the cost of housing in their city or region will impact the candidate’s overall financial well-being. If your company is in a higher cost area, providing a sign-on bonus towards housing can be one lever to pull to cover the gap. 2. Remote Work and Flexible Work Arrangements The rise of remote work in the wake of the pandemic continues to shape relocation patterns. With many employees now able to work from anywhere, some candidates are looking for jobs that allow them to live in more affordable or attractive locations while still benefiting from a competitive salary. The ability to work from home (or a hybrid model) has made relocation less about proximity to the office and more about finding a place that offers a better quality of life. For employers, it’s essential to evaluate whether the role can be offered remotely or with flexible work arrangements. If the company is headquartered in a high-cost city but allows employees to work from anywhere, the business might be able to attract candidates from more affordable regions while offering competitive salaries. On the other hand, if the position requires in-office attendance, it’s important to highlight the benefits of relocating to that city—such as lifestyle factors, community offerings, and career advancement opportunities. 3. Job Market and Industry Opportunities Candidates are increasingly moving to regions where job markets are thriving, particularly in industries like technology, renewable energy, healthcare, and finance. The 2024 Allied Migration Report noted that states with growing job markets are experiencing strong inbound migration. How would classify your region’s overall job market? Candidates want to know that if they were to relocate, and for some reason down the road they leave the organization – what other opportunities exist for them locally. If there are no other reasonable and likely options related to their industry, or expertise - this can pose another hurdle that needs to be addressed. It’s essential to evaluate whether the region offers the kind of industry opportunities that will keep the candidate’s career trajectory on track. 4. Tax Policies and Financial Incentives Tax policies are a key factor influencing relocation decisions in 2024. States with no income tax have seen an increase in inbound migration, with people moving to these states in search of more disposable income. The economic uncertainty and high inflation rates in 2024 have made individuals more conscious of their financial situations, and tax-friendly states are becoming increasingly attractive. Employers looking to relocate candidates should consider the tax implications of moving employees to specific regions. 5. Quality of Life and Lifestyle Considerations Beyond financial factors, candidates are also considering lifestyle factors when deciding where to relocate for work. According to the 2024 Allied Migration Report, many people are moving to regions that offer a better balance of work and life, which includes access to quality healthcare, good schools, recreational activities, and a desirable climate. For employers, this means understanding the lifestyle preferences of potential candidates and emphasizing how the region supports these needs. What’s the Score? So how did your region score? How will it impact how you go to market with the position? Did you adjust the candidate profile to mirror what exists in the local candidate market, or is your region highly desirable to attract the unicorn? As migration patterns evolve, companies that adapt their candidate profiles and expectations to these shifting dynamics will be well-positioned to thrive in an increasingly mobile workforce.
Corporate Development Manager About the Company Impel is a family of companies that offer comprehensive flow management solutions in partnership with each other and the best manufacturers in the world. Each of Impels branches represent individual brand cultures and span the West Coast. Impel serves customers in water, wastewater, agriculture, industrial, manufacturing, energy and mining. Impel was founded in 2021 with a vision to build a “one-stop shop” to serve municipal and industrial fluid management needs by acquiring complementary capabilities in contiguous geographies. The platform launched with the first acquisition of PumpTech , a premier distributor of high-quality pumping products and systems serving the Pacific Northwest. Subsequent acquisitions have grown Impel to over ten fluid management companies throughout the US. Impel is backed by Pike Street Capital , a private equity firm based in Seattle, WA. Recently, Pike Street successfully raised capital to fund additional acquisitions. Impel is actively pursuing growth opportunities and remains focused on acquiring and partnering with family-owned and operated companies in the sector. About the Role This is a key position managing the acquisition process within Impel. You will participate in all aspects of the investment process including industry/market research, deal origination, strategy and execution, and relationship building with acquisition target owners, executives, investment bankers and other intermediaries. This is a great role if you’re looking to own the deal process and progress your skillset as a deal professional. This role will give you deep insight into the entire acquisition process while closing multiple deals a year. We are a fairly lean team and believe in cross functional work so come with a growth mindset and you will develop a skillset across each business function; Our team believes in developing our team members. Primary Responsibilities Perform company analysis, including initial screenings, financial modeling and valuation, due diligence, consultation with external advisors, and preparation of materials for internal investment meetings. Responsible for M&A project management processes to include, but not limited to, valuations, letters of intent, due diligence analysis, financial planning, and business case development. Analysis of risks and opportunities of M&A activities, translate this into fact-based and well-reasoned insights on the valuation and structural impact of various acquisitions. Drive market research and strategic fit analysis. Conduct research on prospective sector opportunities and market trends and develop and present data-based opinions to inform decision-making and price transactions. Participate on deal teams to help structure and execute transactions, including coordinating the deal process and legal and transactional documentation. Special projects working directly with C suite, functional leads, and regional vice presidents. Qualifications 2-6 years experience in private equity, consulting, financial DD/QoE, investment banking, accounting, or corporate M&A Exposure to other diligence areas including commercial, operational, market sizing, risk analysis, customer and supplier, agreement review, etc. Excel and PowerPoint expertise Value oriented Strong communication skills Commitment to high professional standards Credentials: CPA preferred Interested in Learning More? 180one is a retained search firm and has been engaged by Impel to manage this search. If interested in learning more about the opportunity, please contact Tom Haley /503.334.1350/ tom@180one.com
