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When a national deli meat manufacturer faced declining yields, equipment inconsistencies, and looming leadership turnover, they called in a seasoned interim COO from InterimExecs’ RED Team to get operations back on track.
Michael Bartikoski, a veteran operations executive with deep roots in food manufacturing, stepped into the role with three goals: stabilize operations, improve yields, and build the next generation of leadership.
The Operational Bottlenecks
What initially looked like performance slippage turned out to be deeper systemic drift from process consistency. A walk-through of the three manufacturing plants revealed underperforming smokehouses, legacy maintenance shortcuts, and inconsistent yields — with key products impacted the most.
Instead of overhauling every line at once, Bartikoski applied a lean mindset to focus on maximizing value while minimizing waste. He identified the 6 products of more than 100 were driving 65–70% of revenue.
“The universal maxim is ‘fish where the fish are.’ So one of my favorite tools is the tried-and-true ABC analysis. Let’s understand what are the “A” items? What are those 20% of items that make up 60% or more of sales? Finding improvements in those top 20% generally has a disproportionate impact to the bottom line.”
Read the full case study here: Land O’ Frost Case Study: How an Interim COO Unlocked 30%+ Yield Gains and Developing the Next Generation of Leaders at a National Food Manufacturer
Interim COO vs. Full-Time: Why Speed Mattered
The company didn’t need a permanent exec locked into long-term contracts. They needed fast results, no fluff. That’s where a RED Team InterimExecs COO shines — they are experienced, non-political, and laser-focused on outcomes.
Bartikoski assessed operational KPIs such as:
- Yield Variance: Over the years, well-intended maintenance had swapped in non-standard parts, causing airflow and cooking inconsistencies from one smokehouse to the next. Getting all four smokehouses into alignment improved yields by 30–40%.
- Downtime Drivers: Used Pareto analysis to identify and solve the biggest drivers of downtime.
- Hitting Targets: Had to refocus the team on the urgent need to hit expected targets, which generally was a failure of the processes, not the people.
People Matter: Building the Next Generation
Senior leaders of the family-owned company were nearing retirement and it was unclear who, if anyone, in the next generation was ready to lead. Bartikoski assessed and mentored high-potential leaders, helping them transition from peer to supervisor.
“In manufacturing, people love to promote from within, and I think that’s a great thing. But when we take an operator and make them a supervisor, we more than likely didn’t spend any time preparing them to be a supervisor. And then we’re putting him in the hardest transition that I believe exists, which is to go from peer to boss.”
Results That Speak for Themselves
In under two years, the results were clear:
- 30–40% improvement in yields
- Standardized processes across all plants
- Increased equipment efficiency
- Stronger mid-level leadership bench
- Culture of continuous improvement re-established
Why Companies Choose Interim and Fractional COOs
Whether it’s turnaround, transition, or transformation, organizations rely on fractional COO services for one reason: They deliver impact fast.
A fractional or interim COO doesn’t need a long runway. They bring experience, objectivity, and urgency — and they’re gone when the job is done.
Read More:
- Land O’ Frost Case Study: How an Interim COO Unlocked 30%+ Yield Gains and Developing the Next Generation of Leaders at a National Food Manufacturer
- Maximizing Operational Efficiency: Expert COOs Offer Tips for Improving Process and Productivity
- Anatomy of a Business Turnaround: A Master Class with Paul Fioravanti
Ready to Accelerate Results?
If your company is in a moment of change, don’t wait for the perfect full-time hire. Bring in a proven operator who can drive momentum from day one. Reach out to us for a confidential conversation about how an InterimExecs RED Team interim or fractional COO can solve your company’s problems.
