Fractional Operations Leadership, Diagnostic to Execution
Choose the engagement that fits your timeline and ambition. From quick operational assessments to hands-on 12-month retainers, we deliver measurable value creation.
Energy & AI Readiness
Rapid diagnostic to identify operational readiness for energy optimization and AI/automation opportunities. Perfect entry point if you're exploring operational leverage.
- Operations & systems audit
- Energy consumption baseline
- AI/automation opportunity map
- Quick-win identification
- Executive summary report
- Next-step recommendations
Operations Diagnostic & Roadmap
Comprehensive 3–4 week deep dive. Delivers a detailed operational audit, KPI baseline, and 12–24 month improvement roadmap with implementation phasing.
- Detailed operational audit
- Process mapping & gap analysis
- KPI baseline & benchmarking
- 12–24 month roadmap
- Implementation prioritization
- Staffing & capability plan
- Executive steering report
Fractional DOO/COO Retainer
Embedded operations leadership. We execute the roadmap, build internal capability, manage stakeholders, and deliver measurable EBITDA and operational results.
- Strategic operations leadership
- Process redesign execution
- Team building & capability
- Systems implementation
- Weekly progress updates
- KPI tracking & optimization
- Monthly executive reporting
From Diagnosis to Results
Every engagement follows a proven diagnostic-to-execution methodology. We start with clarity, design with your team, and execute hands-on.
Diagnose
Systems audit, process mapping, KPI baseline, stakeholder interviews, competitive benchmarking. Clear picture of where you are and what's possible.
Design
Craft operational roadmap with prioritized initiatives, phased implementation, resource requirements, and success metrics aligned to your business goals.
Execute
Hands-on leadership executing redesigns, implementing systems, building internal teams, driving adoption, and managing stakeholder alignment throughout.
Measure
Track KPIs, document results, optimize continuously, build internal capability, and hand off with sustainable systems and confident internal leadership.
Service FAQs
The Energy & AI Readiness Assessment (1–2 weeks, $2.5K–$5K) is a focused quick diagnostic of operational readiness and opportunity identification. The Operations Diagnostic & Roadmap (3–4 weeks, $10K–$20K) goes much deeper—comprehensive process mapping, detailed KPI baseline, competitive benchmarking, and a 12–24 month implementation roadmap with prioritized initiatives and resource planning. Choose Assessment for quick evaluation; choose Diagnostic for a foundation to execute against.
Fractional DOO/COO retainers are $10K–$20K per month depending on scope of responsibilities, engagement intensity (hours per week), and your business scale. Most engagements include 2–3 days/week of hands-on leadership, weekly executive updates, and ongoing KPI optimization. We recommend a 6–12 month minimum commitment to deliver sustainable results and transfer capability to your internal team.
Absolutely. The Diagnostic is a standalone engagement that delivers a complete operational audit, KPI baseline, and 12–24 month roadmap. Many companies use the Diagnostic to build internal momentum, hire a COO, or prepare for a retainer engagement later. You own the roadmap and can execute it internally or bring us in for hands-on execution phase.
During the Diagnostic phase, we typically conduct 1–2 weeks on-site (or intensive video calls) for deep process mapping and stakeholder interviews. During the Retainer phase, the split depends on your needs—typically 2–3 days on-site weekly plus remote work. We're flexible and optimize based on what drives results for your business. Modern operations can be managed effectively in hybrid models.
We've structured engagements to serve PE platforms—diagnostic work across multiple add-ons, selective retainers on priority companies, and knowledge transfer across your portfolio. Many PE firms use us for rapid diagnostics post-acquisition to inform 100-day plans and platform building. We also offer portfolio-level operating metrics and capability benchmarking. Let's discuss your specific structure.
We specialize in manufacturing and industrial operations, but our playbook applies to any capital-intensive, process-driven business—food & beverage processing, distribution, contract logistics, specialized B2B services. If you have complex operations, supply chain, quality systems, or team scaling challenges, we can help. Contact us to discuss whether your business is a fit.
Diagnostic engagements are scoped fixed-fee projects with clear deliverables and timelines. Retainer engagements require a 6–12 month minimum commitment. Either party can terminate with 30 days written notice after the initial commitment period. We've found that most clients want to extend or scale their engagement because the results speak for themselves, but we respect if circumstances change.
We're transparent about this upfront. We don't work with direct competitors simultaneously and maintain strict confidentiality on strategic initiatives, customer lists, and operational metrics. If you're concerned about a specific conflict, we'll discuss it directly during discovery. Our goal is to be a trusted, long-term partner to your business without compromising competitive positioning.