Rick Brown

Chief Operating Officer (COO) | Chief Supply Chain Officer (CSCO) | Private Equity Operator | P&L & EBITDA Growth | Consumer, DTC, Amazon & Retail | Fractional or Full-Time

United States

About

Growth-stage Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Chief Supply Chain Officer (CSCO) with 20+ years driving enterprise value creation across private equity–backed and founder-led consumer platforms. I partner with CEOs, founders, Boards, and investors to translate growth strategy into operational execution—without slowing the business or compromising margin. Enterprise operator with full P&L accountability, aligning leadership around EBITDA expansion, margin improvement, working capital acceleration, and operational transformation. Track record of measurable value creation: • 35% EBITDA improvement through structural COGS redesign • $12.5M inventory reduction strengthening liquidity • Inventory turns 3.8x → 6.0x improving cash conversion • OTIF recovery 58% → 91% during complex 3PL transition • Contributed to scaling Otter Products from $175M → $1.6B Value Creation Focus: • EBITDA Expansion • Gross Margin Improvement • Working Capital Acceleration • Cost-to-Serve Transparency • Supply Chain Transformation • IBP Governance & Decision Cadence • Organizational Reset & Bench Development I’m typically brought in when growth is strong, complexity is rising, and execution discipline becomes the constraint to scale. I build scalable operating infrastructure in private equity and growth-stage environments requiring: • Margin reset and cost-to-serve transparency • Working capital discipline • Supply chain and manufacturing optimization • IBP / S&OP governance • Execution cadence without bureaucracy Experienced across DTC, Amazon, Retail, global sourcing, manufacturing, and distribution, with board-level reporting and enterprise P&L ownership. Currently open to full-time or fractional COO, CSCO, VP Operations, or Operating Partner roles within private equity–backed or growth-stage consumer platforms. 📩 [email protected]

Experience

  • Chief Operating Officer at SKU Distribution (FTZ)
    Mar 2026 - Present · 5 mos

  • Chief Supply Chain Officer (COO Scope) at DYPER
    Aug 2024 - Mar 2026 · 1 yr 8 mos

  • Sr. Director of Operations at Nexus Brands Group
    May 2021 - Aug 2024 · 3 yrs 4 mos

  • Principal – Operations & Supply Chain Advisory at RB3 Consulting
    Nov 2017 - Aug 2024 · 6 yrs 10 mos

    Independent advisor supporting operational transformation for consumer and industrial clients. • Led targeted operational transformations reducing inventory by up to 18% while improving service reliability. • Designed supply chain and distribution strategies supporting 35% growth plans. • Facilitated executive alignment sessions to accelerate decision-making and execution. • Equipped leadership teams with practical operating tools to sustain performance post-engagement.

  • Director of Operations at Global Brands Group (Member of Fung Group)
    Jul 2018 - May 2021 · 2 yrs 11 mos

    Enterprise operations leader overseeing logistics, 3PL transitions, and service recovery initiatives. • Led operational risk assessment and continuity planning during major 3PL transition, improving OTIF from 58% to 91% with zero customer disruption. • Negotiated and executed transition from underperforming 3PL, ensuring seamless business continuity. • Integrated new business acquisition into the distribution network, generating $1.3M in savings. • Partnered with 3PL leadership to redesign workflows, delivering cost savings and improved customer satisfaction. • Balanced executive oversight with direct operational involvement to accelerate execution.