Chief Operating Officer

Gunwerks

Cody, WY

Gunwerks

Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Location: Cody, Wyoming (On-site; relocation required)

Reports to: CEO (Aaron Davidson)

CEO retains: Brand + Product Vision

COO owns: Everything else ….Day-to-day operations, systems, and execution

About Gunwerks

Gunwerks is a premium, high-performance hunting and precision rifle company built around craftsmanship, engineering excellence, and uncompromising quality. We design and deliver complete, high-end shooting systems for discerning customers who demand reliability and accuracy in real-world conditions.

The brand is defined by precision, performance, and pride in the build—paired with a commitment to continually improve both the product and the customer experience.

Gunwerks is transitioning from founder-driven excellence to system-driven scalability. The COO will be central to that evolution.

Role Summary

Gunwerks is seeking a hands-on, systems-driven Chief Operating Officer to run day-to-day operations and install durable execution discipline across the organization.

This role is responsible for:

Building a scalable operating system
Improving workforce throughput and labor productivity
Installing accountability across leaders
Reducing turnover through better structure and standards
Creating durable training and documentation systems
Ensuring compliance rigor in a regulated industry

The COO enables the CEO to focus on brand, product development, and vision by owning operational execution end-to-end.

This is an on-site leadership role in Cody, Wyoming. Relocation is required.

Primary Mandate

Run the business operating system so plans turn into execution—on time, with quality, and with accountability.

Build systems that endure beyond personalities.

Core Responsibilities

1) Install the Operating System & Accountability Cadence

Implement a practical weekly operating rhythm (scorecard, priorities, issue log, decision tracking).
Translate strategy into quarterly priorities with owners, milestones, and dates.
Build accountability into the system: commitments, standards, and follow-through.
Ensure issues are surfaced, solved, and closed—not revisited repeatedly.

2) Own Operations Execution End-to-End

Run manufacturing, supply chain, scheduling, capacity planning, quality, and delivery.
Create predictable production performance with minimal surprises.
Drive continuous improvement that sticks (disciplined routines vs. short-term programs).
Increase output per labor hour while protecting quality standards.

3) Engineering Execution Discipline

(COO owns execution discipline; CEO retains product vision.)

Install structured development milestones and change-control rigor.
Prevent scope creep and missed launch commitments.
Ensure engineering outputs translate cleanly into manufacturable processes.
Strengthen documentation between Engineering and Production.
Drive accountability for delivery timelines and cross-functional handoffs.

Engineering must be predictable—not personality-driven.

4) Compliance & Regulatory Rigor

Gunwerks operates in a regulated environment. The COO will:

Own operational compliance systems (including ATF traceability and documentation integrity).
Ensure serialized controls and production documentation are audit-ready.
Establish revision control across SOPs and technical documentation.
Reduce regulatory risk through proactive systems—not reactive correction.

Compliance must be institutionalized.

5) Fix Throughput & Frontline Productivity

Diagnose and eliminate productivity inhibitors (low utilization, weak supervision, unclear standards).
Install frontline management “standard work.”
Create visible performance tracking and expectations.
Increase labor effectiveness without proportional headcount growth.

6) Facilities & Operational Environment Standard

The Gunwerks facility must reflect the premium brand.

The COO will:

Implement and sustain daily discipline.
Eliminate cluttered workspaces and unmanaged material flow.
Install visual management standards.
Create an environment that signals craftsmanship, order, and control.

Operational discipline must be visible.

7) Build Training & Documented Systems

Create a documented operating system across training, SOPs, engineering documentation, and compliance controls.
Reduce tribal knowledge dependency.
Accelerate onboarding and competency development.
Design systems that produce measurable results years from now—not just this quarter.

8) Build the People & Retention System

Reduce turnover through structural improvements beyond pay.
Install role clarity and advancement paths (including mastery tracks for craftspeople).
Strengthen supervisor capability and performance management.
Ensure underperformance is addressed promptly and fairly.

Measures of Success

Meaningful improvement in throughput and labor productivity.
Improved quality outcomes and fewer rework/defect issues.
Material reduction in turnover.
Engineering projects delivered on time.
Clean compliance audits and documentation integrity.
Operating cadence runs reliably.
CEO leverage increases (fewer operational escalations).

Ideal Candidate Profile

Proven operator and systems builder in a founder-led or high-growth environment.
Strong manufacturing/shop-floor leadership experience.
Experience in regulated manufacturing (firearms, aerospace, defense, medical, or similar).
Demonstrated history of improving throughput and labor efficiency.
Detail-oriented and systems-obsessed.
Builds simple systems people actually follow.
Calm, decisive, and comfortable enforcing standards.
Willing to relocate and lead on-site.

First 90 Days

Days 1–30: Diagnose & Baseline