A fast-growing CPG company, partnered with Naviga to fill a critical Head of Operations position. Facing rapid expansion and increasing operational complexity, the company needed a hands-on, strategic leader to unify their team and build scalable processes.
The Challenge:
Managing Hyper-Growth and Complexity
Founded in 2021 and having scaled rapidly to $75M in sales, the company had successfully transitioned from relying on third-party logistics to managing all operations in-house, including the integration of an acquired business employing over 3,000 people in the Dominican Republic.
The business was at a crucial inflection point: continued scaling demanded a more mature, consistent operations function. The current team, while collaborative, lacked a unified direction and required stronger leadership to manage growing volumes (currently shipping/selling 2k cases weekly, with a goal of 3k cases plus new product lines in two years) and operational complexity.
The company’s key strategic goals were clear:
- Scale operational capacity.
- Improve process efficiency.
- Build a cohesive, accountable team to support long-term growth.
The absence of a dedicated, high-level operational leader was becoming a bottleneck to achieving these objectives.
Naviga’s Solution:
Targeting High-Growth CPG/Distribution Expertise
Naviga utilized its executive search expertise to target candidates with a proven track record in CPG, manufacturing, distribution, or warehouse operations—specifically within scaling or high-growth environments. The ideal candidate needed a servant-leadership style, blending strategic vision with hands-on execution.
The top priorities for the new Head of Operations in the first year were defined as:
- Build and unify the operations team.
- Improve operational processes and efficiency.
- Strengthen communication and cross-functional collaboration.
Naviga’s search focused on identifying a leader capable of quickly establishing credibility, leveraging systems like Oodo (inventory/forecasting), and driving a culture of accountability and innovation.
The Outcome:
Placement of a High-Impact Head of Operations
Naviga successfully placed a new Head of Operations. This leader was brought on to immediately focus on the three core priorities, driving measurable impact across the organization:
| Success Timeline | Key Achievements |
| 90 Days | Assess current operations, establish credibility with the team, and identify quick wins in process refinement. |
| 6 Months | Implement process improvements to enhance efficiency and build clear team cohesion and accountability. |
| 1 Year | Drive measurable operational efficiency gains, solidify the team’s structure, and support the company’s scaling objectives. |
The Head of Operations is now playing a pivotal role in aligning day-to-day execution with the company’s $100M 2026 revenue trajectory, reporting directly to the CFO. The role is hybrid in South Florida, coordinating local warehouse operations as well as international coordination with the Dominican Republic, ensuring seamless integration across the supply chain.
By securing this executive-level operational leadership, the company positioned itself to effectively manage its current growth phase and unlock new distribution channels, including its potential move into direct-to-store opportunities.
Key Takeaway
This engagement underscores Naviga’s capability to deliver executive talent tailored for high-growth CPG environments where the need for both strategic foresight and hands-on operational execution is paramount.