Looking for an aggressive CEO in Chicago Area to help grow a retail and wholesale bakery business

Our business, Lovin Oven Cakery, is located in a 40,000 SF building in Antioch, IL. We are building out our wholesale and retail operations and seeking a visionary and dynamic Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to take ownership interest in and lead our organization into its next phase of growth. This role offers a unique opportunity to drive strategic expansion and oversee a high-performance value creation plan. Position Overview The CEO will provide strategic direction for business development, innovation, and operations across our retail outlets and wholesale channels. Key Responsibilities Strategic Leadership: Develop and execute long-term business strategies and "value creation" plans to maximize profitability across all segments. Operational Oversight: Manage day-to-day bakery operations, including production, packaging, and delivery for both retail and wholesale markets. Revenue & Market Growth: Identify and penetrate new market segments while expanding the existing customer base through innovation pipelines. Financial Management: Oversee budgets, cash flow, and financial reporting; establish key performance metrics to monitor corporate health. Team Development: Foster a positive corporate culture and lead the selection and retention of a high-performing executive management team. Customer & Stakeholder Relations: Act as the primary liaison with wholesale clients (retailers, restaurants) and represent the company at industry events. Compliance & Quality: Ensure strict adherence to food safety regulations and maintain consistent artisanal quality and hygiene standards across all locations. Qualifications & Requirements Experience: 10–15+ years of senior executive leadership, ideally with a background in food/beverage manufacturing or the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry. Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, or a related field Financial Acumen: Deep understanding of corporate finance, performance management principles, and private equity-backed growth strategies. Leadership Traits: Exceptional communication skills, "executive gravitas," and a decisive, entrepreneurial mindset. Compensation & Benefits We offer a competitive compensation package including: Executive-level base salary and performance-based bonuses. Equity participation or stock options. Comprehensive health, retirement, and professional development benefits. Interested candidates should submit their resume and a cover letter to Jonathan Wolfe at redacted Please include "CEO Application – [Your Name]" in the subject line. Best regards, Jonathan