Leadership continuity
Fill a leadership gap
A departure, retirement or growing operation can leave decisions without a clear owner. Bring relevant experience into the role while you plan the next step.
Interim operations management · United States
Fill a manufacturing or operations leadership gap with an experienced interim leader who supports daily execution and prepares a practical handover.
From plant management to an interim COO, Duggan matches the role to the experience your operation needs. Discuss your location, priorities and target start date with us.
Responsibilities, availability and start dates are agreed for each assignment. Finance, HR and IT roles fall outside this service.
A departure, retirement or growing operation can leave decisions without a clear owner. Bring relevant experience into the role while you plan the next step.
Connect daily meetings with visible priorities, named action owners and follow-through. Give recurring operating issues a clear next step.
Build practical routines, coach people in their roles and clarify responsibilities so the operation can continue using what has been established.
The Duggan difference
An interim appointment addresses an immediate gap. Duggan also focuses on how the operation will run after the assignment: clear priorities, Leader Standard Work, practical daily meetings and ownership of actions.
The embedded leader works alongside your people, coaches people in their roles and prepares a practical handover. Daily management becomes something your people understands and can continue using.
An embedded leadership example
A published Duggan case study describes an embedded Director of Operations introducing tiered meetings, Leader Standard Work and an accountability routine. It shows the type of operating structure an assignment can build alongside daily leadership.
How it works
The selection process establishes the fit. The engagement then combines daily leadership with the routines and capability your people can continue using.
Discuss the location, responsibilities, operating challenges and target start date with Duggan.
After an NDA, review candidate profiles and give feedback so the shortlist reflects the experience the role requires.
Interview suitable candidates directly. Visits can be arranged where needed to assess the fit.
Once a candidate is selected, agree responsibilities, the initial period, commercial terms and start date. Duggan handles payroll and expense administration, with one monthly invoice.
The leadership role, reporting line and decision ownership are agreed around the operating need.
Meetings, visible priorities, action ownership and follow-through connect around the work.
Frontline and production leaders learn to use the agreed routines and understand their responsibilities.
Documentation, measures and local ownership support continuity when the assignment ends.
Interim operations management
Practical details for choosing and planning an engagement.
Duggan supports manufacturing and operations leadership, including Plant Manager, Operations Manager, Interim COO, Quality Manager, Continuous Improvement Manager or Director, and leadership of supply chain, logistics and warehouse operations. Maintenance leadership can also be discussed. Experience and availability are matched to the role.
Start dates depend on the experience required, location and candidate availability. Share the urgency at the first conversation so we can assess suitable candidates and realistic dates. The start date is agreed after candidate selection and engagement terms are confirmed.
This service supports operations in the United States. On-site, hybrid or remote arrangements can be discussed according to the role and what the operation needs.
The leader supports daily execution while building operating structure: clear priorities, Leader Standard Work, daily meeting routines, action ownership and follow-through. They work alongside your people so those routines remain useful after handover.
The assignment combines experienced operational leadership with practical capability transfer. The leader helps establish how priorities are managed, issues are resolved and responsibilities are handed over, while supporting the immediate work of the operation.
An initial conversation establishes the role and urgency. After an NDA, you review relevant profiles, provide feedback and interview suitable candidates directly. The interim engagement contract is agreed once a candidate has been selected.
The initial period is agreed for the engagement, with a minimum of one month. Assignments typically last one to four months, and longer engagements can be arranged. After the agreed initial period, the engagement continues with a one-month notice period, subject to the agreement.
No upfront payment is required. Fees, initial duration, invoicing arrangements and notice requirements are agreed before work begins. Travel and other agreed expenses are discussed upfront. Duggan handles payroll and expense administration, with one monthly invoice.
For some placements, a permanent hire may be possible by agreement. Availability and conditions depend on the individual and engagement. Tell us if permanent employment could be your longer-term aim, and we will clarify the options and any applicable fees before you proceed.
Handover covers the agreed responsibilities, routines, documentation and measures the permanent leaders needs. Where a permanent leader is taking over, we encourage one to two weeks of overlap. Arrangements depend on the assignment. Use of Duggan materials remains subject to the engagement agreement.
If the assignment identifies a wider need for flow design or implementation support, that work can be discussed and scoped separately. The interim engagement stands on its own.
Tell us which role needs support, your location, target start date and the operating challenges the leader will face. We can discuss the experience, responsibilities and handover needed.
Experienced operations professional? Register your interest in interim assignments.
Contact Tim directly
If you cannot use the form, email thealey@dugganinc.com or Call Duggan to discuss your interim operations needs.
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Email thealey@dugganinc.com or call +1 (401) 601-7286 and we'll respond within 2 business days.