Chief Operating Officer

Jett Management | Trusted Tire & Auto | Valvoline Instant Oil Change

Chief Operating Officer

A growing family of locally owned, family owned automotive businesses, is seeking a proven Chief Operating Officer to lead its expanding portfolio of automotive service companies, including Trusted Tire & Auto and Valvoline Instant Oil Change franchise operations, across North Dakota, South Dakota, and future markets. This is an opportunity to shape the future of a growing, multi-brand automotive organization by driving operational excellence, financial performance, leadership development, and strategic expansion across distinct service models.

We want a builder, not a caretaker. Someone who combines strategic vision with real operational experience, understands the numbers behind the business, develops exceptional leaders, and knows how to turn ambitious plans into measurable results. The right executive will bring the discipline to standardize what works, the judgment to recognize what makes each brand unique, and the drive to build an organization capable of sustained, profitable growth.

This isn't a role for someone content to manage from behind a desk. We're looking for a leader who understands the business from the boardroom to the service bay, embraces accountability, and knows how to deliver.

Executive Responsibilities

Operational Strategy & Execution

• Translate ownership's strategic objectives into executable operating plans, clear priorities, and measurable expectations across all automotive brands and locations.
• Provide executive oversight and direction to Area Managers and designated operations leaders, ensuring accountability for safety, service, staffing, customer experience, and operating performance.
• Establish consistent leadership expectations, operational standards, and accountability structures while respecting the unique business models of each automotive brand.
• Lead from the field as well as the office: evaluate actual operations, identify opportunities, remove barriers, and drive corrective action through completion.
• Build disciplined operating rhythms, reporting structures, and communication processes that support organizational alignment and consistent execution.

Financial Performance & Operational Profitability

• Own operational financial performance across the automotive portfolio, including revenue growth, same-store performance, labor productivity, controllable expenses, operating margins, and location-level profitability.
• Partner with the President and CFO on operating budgets, financial forecasts, capital investments, and strategic resource allocation.
• Evaluate financial and operational performance across brands, markets, and locations to identify opportunities for improvement and sustainable growth.
• Develop and execute strategies to improve underperforming locations, strengthen profitability, and maximize operational efficiency.
• Balance short-term performance expectations with long-term investments in people, infrastructure, and organizational growth.

Leadership, Talent & Accountability

• Build and develop a high-performing operational leadership team capable of managing multiple brands, markets, and service models.
• Establish clear performance expectations and accountability measures for Area Managers, Store Managers, and other operational leaders.
• Develop a strong leadership pipeline through coaching, succession planning, performance management, and strategic talent development in partnership with HR.
• Set a high bar and lead by example; recognize exceptional performance and address deficiencies promptly, fairly, and professionally.
• Foster a culture of ownership, collaboration, accountability, and mutual respect across all automotive operations.
• Develop leaders who solve problems independently, uphold company values, and build strong teams without constant oversight.

Growth, Acquisitions & Integration

• Partner with ownership and executive leadership to identify, evaluate, and execute strategic growth opportunities across the automotive portfolio.
• Support acquisition evaluations through operational due diligence, including staffing, facilities, financial performance, training, capacity, and integration risk.
• Lead operational integration of newly acquired locations and businesses, establishing clear milestones for staffing, training, systems alignment, operational readiness, and stabilization.
• Oversee new-location development and openings, ensuring operational infrastructure and leadership readiness support successful launches.
• Build scalable operating systems and leadership structures capable of supporting continued expansion without compromising profitability, quality, safety, or customer trust.

Systems, Compliance & Cross-Functional Partnership

• Establish effective operational systems, standard operating procedures, performance scorecards, training standards, and management review processes across the automotive portfolio.
• Identify opportunities to standardize processes, leverage shared resources, and improve efficiencies across brands while preserving brand-specific operational requirements.
• Ensure compliance with applicable franchise standards, company policies, safety requirements, financial controls, and regulatory obligations.
• Partner closely with HR, Finance, Marketing, and executive leadership to align operational initiatives with broader organizational objectives.
• Maintain clear communication with ownership and executive leadership regarding performance, opportunities, operational risks, and strategic priorities.
• Exercise sound judgment within established authority and secure appropriate approval for decisions requiring executive collaboration.

How Success Will Be Measured

• Success is measured by sustainable results, not simply activity. Specific performance targets and incentive measures will be established in partnership with company leadership.
• Profitable Growth: Revenue performance, same-store sales trends, operating margins, controllable expenses, and overall portfolio profitability.
• Operational Excellence: Service quality, customer satisfaction, productivity, efficiency, safety, and consistent execution of brand-specific operating standards.
• Leadership Development: Area Manager and store leadership performance, employee retention, leadership readiness, accountability, and succession depth.
• Execution & Scalability: Successful completion of strategic initiatives, improvement of underperforming locations, operational integration of acquisitions, and readiness for continued expansion.
• Organizational Alignment: Effective collaboration across brands and departments, consistent leadership expectations, and the development of scalable operational infrastructure.

Required Experience & Leadership Qualities

• Significant progressive operations leadership experience, including senior-level responsibility for multi-location or multi-business operations and meaningful P&L results.
• Demonstrated success driving financial and operational performance while building strong leadership teams across geographically dispersed markets.
• Proven ability to lead complex operations, establish scalable systems, and execute strategic growth initiatives.
• Strong command of financial management, budgeting, operating metrics, labor management, customer experience, and performance improvement.
• Ability to balance high-level strategic thinking with the operational discipline required to execute at the location level.
• Executive maturity to make difficult decisions, challenge ideas respectfully, navigate disagreement professionally, and take ownership of outcomes without ego or excuses.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
• Willingness to travel frequently, maintain a flexible executive schedule, and remain actively engaged in field operations.
• Valid driver's license and eligibility under company vehicle and insurance requirements.

Preferred: Previous COO, VP of Operations, Division President, or senior multi-unit operational leadership experience; automotive service, tire and repair, quick-lube, franchise, or comparable multi-location service industry experience; demonstrated acquisition integration and business expansion experience; bachelor's degree in business, operations, or a related field (or equivalent executive experience).

Executive Compensation & Benefits

• Base Salary: $160,000–$220,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience.
• Annual profit-sharing bonus opportunities tied to financial and operational performance.
• Potential deferred compensation and growth-based incentives associated with acquisitions, new locations, and strategic expansion.
• Additional discretionary executive incentives based on individual and organizational performance.
• Company-provided vehicle, subject to company policy.
• Business travel expenses covered under company policy.
• Comprehensive employee benefits and additional executive benefits as negotiated.

Incentive eligibility, performance measures, payment timing, and deferred-compensation terms will be governed by applicable written agreements or plans. No bonus or incentive payment is guaranteed by this description.

Work Environment & Travel

• Ability to be based in Minot, North Dakota, or Bismarck, North Dakota, with frequent travel to automotive business locations throughout North Dakota, South Dakota, and future markets.
• This position requires regular on-site operational visits, overnight travel, occasional multi-day assignments, and availability outside traditional business hours when business needs arise.
• The COO will operate in both professional office environments and active automotive service facilities, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Physical Requirements/Lifting Requirements

Must be able to sit, stand, bend at the waist, climb, stoop, kneel, crouch, reach, walk, push/pull, lift, talk, and hear with or without reasonable accommodation. Jett Management cares about the health and safety of our employees. Employees are expected to follow all safety procedures and perform their job duties in a manner that minimizes the risk of injury.

Reasonable accommodation will be provided for qualified individuals when appropriate.

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

Pay: $160,000.00 - $220,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Referral program
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person