Portfolio CEO: Commerical Distributor
Richmond, VA, USA
USD 135k-175k / year + Equity
Posted on Jul 11, 2026
About American Operator
American Operator exists to keep the American Dream alive through small-business leadership and ownership. We place experienced operators into businesses of retiring owners who want their life's work placed in the hands of leaders who care. Over time, our CEOs follow a clear pathway to earn significant equity in the business they lead.
About The Role
We’re actively interviewing CEO candidates for current and future acquisition opportunities. While timing varies by market and acquisition activity, selected candidates enter our CEO network and may be matched with opportunities as they become available.
For this role, we are looking for experienced operators who have led commercial distribution companies. This is an opportunity to partner with American Operator through the acquisition process, with the goal of stepping into a profitable, established business with a strong reputation, a loyal customer base, and an experienced team already in place. American Operator leads sourcing and due diligence, and the selected candidate will contribute industry insights during that process before stepping into the operating role post-close.
As CEO, you'll assume full responsibility for day-to-day operations and P&L performance. This is not a turnaround situation, it's an opportunity to build on a solid foundation set by the former owners. Your focus will be on developing and retaining a best-in-class sales force, driving customer acquisition and growth, and scaling the business to new products, customer segments and markets.
American Operator will be your partner from day one, providing strategic support, resources, and guidance while empowering you to lead independently. Most importantly, you'll have a clear path to earning significant equity ownership in the business you grow and lead.
What You'll Do
Base salary: $135,000-$175,000, plus 20% performance-based bonus opportunities, distributions, and meaningful equity participation beginning at 10% ownership, with the potential to increase based on performance. Total compensation varies by portfolio company, individual performance, and deal structure, and includes a comprehensive benefits package (Health, vision, dental).
LOCATION
Our active markets include Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, and Virginia. Relocation will be required if you are not currently in or near the market of the opportunity.
Ready to lead the next chapter? Before you apply, we encourage you to visit americanoperator.com to learn more about who we are, how we work, and what our operators have to say about the experience. When you are ready, apply today to start the conversation.
American Operator exists to keep the American Dream alive through small-business leadership and ownership. We place experienced operators into businesses of retiring owners who want their life's work placed in the hands of leaders who care. Over time, our CEOs follow a clear pathway to earn significant equity in the business they lead.
About The Role
We’re actively interviewing CEO candidates for current and future acquisition opportunities. While timing varies by market and acquisition activity, selected candidates enter our CEO network and may be matched with opportunities as they become available.
For this role, we are looking for experienced operators who have led commercial distribution companies. This is an opportunity to partner with American Operator through the acquisition process, with the goal of stepping into a profitable, established business with a strong reputation, a loyal customer base, and an experienced team already in place. American Operator leads sourcing and due diligence, and the selected candidate will contribute industry insights during that process before stepping into the operating role post-close.
As CEO, you'll assume full responsibility for day-to-day operations and P&L performance. This is not a turnaround situation, it's an opportunity to build on a solid foundation set by the former owners. Your focus will be on developing and retaining a best-in-class sales force, driving customer acquisition and growth, and scaling the business to new products, customer segments and markets.
American Operator will be your partner from day one, providing strategic support, resources, and guidance while empowering you to lead independently. Most importantly, you'll have a clear path to earning significant equity ownership in the business you grow and lead.
What You'll Do
- Own the company’s P&L with full responsibility for performance and day-to-day operations
- Step into a newly acquired business and build relationships with suppliers, customers, and employees
- Strategically add and cut SKUs to match customer preferences and provide upsell opportunities
- Lead high-impact initiatives to modernize the approach to inventory management and customer relationship management
- Travel to markets for sales rep coaching and customer relationship building
- Foster a culture of high accountability and performance
- Run quarterly board meetings with American Operator
- Partner with American Operator on strategy, budgeting, and growth planning
- 7+ years of B2B sales leadership and coaching experience
- 4+ years of hiring and firing responsibility
- Experience owning company P&Ls and budgets
- MRO industrial sales background across commercial, healthcare, government, and manufacturing verticals
- Proven sales ability to navigate C-suite decision-makers
- Experience leading and developing a high-performing sales team in a relationship-driven business
- Ability to travel regularly to meet with sales reps and customers
- Sales management experience in a family-owned or private-equity-backed business
- History of developing an organization and culture that leads to strong employee retention and tenure
- Small business leadership experience (50 employees or less)
- Military leadership experience
Base salary: $135,000-$175,000, plus 20% performance-based bonus opportunities, distributions, and meaningful equity participation beginning at 10% ownership, with the potential to increase based on performance. Total compensation varies by portfolio company, individual performance, and deal structure, and includes a comprehensive benefits package (Health, vision, dental).
LOCATION
Our active markets include Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, and Virginia. Relocation will be required if you are not currently in or near the market of the opportunity.
Ready to lead the next chapter? Before you apply, we encourage you to visit americanoperator.com to learn more about who we are, how we work, and what our operators have to say about the experience. When you are ready, apply today to start the conversation.