Executive Position Description

For

PRESIDENT
Power/mation, Inc. www.powermation.com

On behalf of our client, Power/mation, KeyStone Search is conducting a retained search for a President www.keystonesearch.com

COMPANY BACKGROUND
Power/mation is proud to be a leading regional distributor of industrial automation products and value added services. The company was founded in 1961 in St. Paul, Minnesota as a distributor of power transmission products for the automation industry. Today, the company is well-respected as a top independent distributor, representing more than 120 manufacturers and allowing Power/mation to offer to its customers the best possible solutions. Throughout the years, Power/mation's product line has expanded from basic power transmission components to: Advanced electronic controls Electronic variable speed drives Photoelectric, proximity and smart sensors Electronic counters and controls Programmable controllers (PLC & PC) Stepmotor & servo systems Computer software for supervisory control & data acquisition Intelligent, device level network I/O Enclosures Motion control Value Added Systems and Services (its newest venture) In 1990, Power/mation was purchased by a group of senior sales people who still comprise 100% of the shareholders and the majority of the Board of Directors. Today, the company has 152 employees and sales representatives in fifteen offices throughout the Midwest--in Michigans Upper Peninsula, Minnesota, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Distribution centers are in St. Paul, Minnesota and Pewaukee, Wisconsin. Company revenues for 2012 were $91.7 million. This is up 8.03% from the previous year, and continuing a trend of growth and profitability for the company. On track for further growth in 2013, their revenue through April 2013 was $44.8 million, up 0.95% from same time last year. The company has its sights on a five year goal of $150 million.

ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE
The organizations culture values customer service, integrity, growth & development, empowerment and flexibility. There is a healthy regard for the history and traditions of the organization, along with a creative and entrepreneurial spirit. Employee comments about the Power/mation culture include: Our work environment is entrepreneurial; we do what it takes to serve the customer. Thats why people like it here. Its fun. Youre never bored. Youre always challenged. This company is a gem--a hidden gem. You look forward to coming to work every day. I like the autonomous environment here. I get resources, but I feel like I am running my own business.

The culture at Power/mation is sales-driven. The structure of the sales force is unique in that it is comprised of direct employees as well as fully independent individuals and groups. All sales staff are highly technically proficient, working closely with customers to understand their problems and create solutions that meet the customers needs.

POSITION OVERVIEW
The President will report to the Board of Directors and have complete P&L responsibility for the organization. Executives reporting to the President include the Vice President of Business Development, two Regional Vice Presidents, Director of Operations, Controller and Director of Human Resources. The President will provide strategic, financial and tactical leadership for the organization. He or she will, in conjunction with the Board of Directors, set the overall tone and direction for the company and will be a capable leader of people and an effective business partner with multiple stakeholder groups. Power/mations recent President & CEO, Jim Landes, has retired after more than twelve years of service to the organization; he will continue his involvement as a member of the Board of Directors. Interim operational leadership is currently being maintained by a tenured group of senior managers in the organization.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Be the visionary leader of Power/mation. Develop and recommend thoughtful strategic directions, plans and policies to guide the work of the company. Collaborate with the Board of Directors in making strategic and timely decisions. Participate in planning initiatives. Provide leadership for corporate strategic planning sessions. Strengthen the work of Power/mation by thinking strategically about the organizations markets and how those markets can be more broadly and creatively served. Thoughtfully initiate new programs to better serve customers. Provide positive management and leadership to help drive the company to achieve operational results, profitability, cash flow and business goals and objectives. Support the sales organization within the company; provide guidance, tools and resources to assist with sales growth and customer service. Establish credibility throughout the organization as an effective developer of solutions to business challenges and opportunities. Collaborate with the management team at Power/mation to develop and implement plans for the operational infrastructure of systems, processes, and staff designed to continue the growth of the organization. Enhance and/or develop, implement, and enforce policies and procedures of the organization by way of systems that will improve the overall operation and effectiveness of the corporation. Assist in financial management to enable the company to meet sales, growth, and market share objectives. Maintain and advance positive relations with vendors and suppliers. Develop, as appropriate, strategic partnerships and alliances that further the organizations goals and objectives. Motivate and lead a high-performance team of experienced, tenured individuals. Supervise the senior leadership team. Provide guidance, coaching and development to assist staff in achieving their objectives. Set a positive tone of leadership throughout the organization and work with all staff in a collegial way.

Attract, recruit, and retain new members of the team as needed. Be responsible for the measurement and effectiveness of all processes. Provide executive reports on the operating condition of the company. Provide mentoring as a cornerstone to the developmental philosophy of the organization. Gain a solid understanding of the workings of Power/mation and build relationships with outside service providers/advisors including auditors, banks, etc. Above all, provide day-to-day leadership that reflects the goals, objectives, vision, mission, and core values of the company.

QUALIFICATIONS
The successful candidate for this key executive position should be an established and positive leader. At least 15-20 years of experience are desired, including proven executive leadership of a like-sized company in a related distribution or manufacturing sector. He or she will have previous experience in sales leadership or general management, especially in a customer-centric, solution selling environment. Prior responsibility managing P&L is critical. A strong background in finance, particularly in a distribution environment, would be strong plus, as well as any experience in strategic product expansion or strategic partnerships. Previous experience in a privately-held company would also be a plus. This individual must also have a track record of building strong mutually beneficial relationships and achieving results through empowering people. The successful candidate will be a person with a reputation for integrity. He or she will have management experience leading an organization through planned growth and will appreciate the opportunity to make on-going improvements in the organizations revenue streams. The new President will be vibrant individual with exemplary interpersonal and presentation skills, and a strong commitment to the values of Power/mation. A minimum of a Bachelors Degree business administration, engineering or a related field is required. Other essential skills and experience include: Demonstrated success in leadership, with proven competence in guiding the development and implementation of a strategic plan, successful positioning, and translating ideas into reality. Proven operational competence with demonstrated capabilities in financial management, marketing and product development, organizational communications, organizational development, planning and goal setting, board relations, and staff supervision. Demonstrated success in growing an organization, whether through new products, new services or innovations which serve the marketplace in a new way. Experience with marketing would be welcome. Knowledge, experience, and keen interest in the automation products distribution field. Knowledge of current and emerging models in the field is preferred. Prior experience working with and for a board of directors. Capacity or ability to successfully cultivate and expand customer relationships. Developing and maintaining long term customer relationships have been a hallmark of the company since its inception and is critical to its future success. The ability and commitment to envision and describe the long-term future of an organization in a way that inspires and motivates staff and key stakeholders.

CANDIDATE CHARACTERISTICS
To be successful in the culture of Power/mation, the candidate must be: A values-based leader who builds relationships, is a model of authenticity, credibility and ethical conduct. A thoughtful leader who is committed to honoring the history and past successes of Power/mation while bringing new ideas and approaches to the organization. A visionary and entrepreneurial spirit who is willing to collaboratively propose, strategize and execute new ways of delivering products and services that solve challenging problems for customers. A marketing strategist who can visualize, plan and communicate new ways to bring products to market. A balanced person who is oriented toward the greater good of the company. A skilled communicator who can influence and engage with people and organizations of all types. A person who involves and welcomes diverse voices in the workplace. An individual who is knowledgeable about the wide range of products and customer needs in the automation technology field. A versatile person who can work successfully in a broad array of organizational settings. The candidate should possess a high degree of emotional intelligence and be skilled at communication and collaboration. An individual who is flexible and readily available to the Board of Directors, the senior management staff, and a variety of stakeholders.

COMPENSATION
The compensation package for this position is competitive and attractive. It includes an executive-level base salary, management bonus, and participation in the companys comprehensive benefits program.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT

Marcia Ballinger Principal 612-375-8895 marciab@keystonesearch.com

or

Mike Frommelt Principal 612-375-8986 mikef@keystonesearch.com

Because Culture Matters

KeyStone Search is a prominent Minnesota-based executive search firm with a special emphasis on corporate culture fit. KeyStone Search has specialized expertise in the recruitment of C-Suite leaders in general management, sales/marketing, financial, technical/operations, human resources as well as non-profit executives.
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