COO / CEO-in-Training – Trustbridge Design & Manufacturing (US)

This is a remote position. COO / CEO-in-Training – Trustbridge Design & Manufacturing (US) Build the Next Platform for Global Manufacturing Location: Flexible (Americas preferred, U.S. ideal) Reports to: Founder, Vulcury Venture Studio Company: Trustbridge Design & Manufacturing The Opportunity Trustbridge Design & Manufacturing is building a platform for the global manufacturing economy. Companies developing new products often struggle to identify the right manufacturing partners, while highly capable suppliers often lack consistent access to qualified opportunities. Trustbridge connects these two sides of the market. The company combines: • Engineering design services that help companies move products from concept to production • A curated global network of manufacturing suppliers • Software tools designed to improve how product companies identify and engage manufacturing partners The business is already operating, generating revenue, and profitable, and is now entering a phase focused on scaling operations and building the underlying platform that will power global growth. Why This Role Exists Trustbridge is now seeking a COO / CEO-in-Training who will work directly with the founder to scale the business and ultimately assume the role of Chief Executive Officer of Trustbridge. This role is designed for someone who wants to transition from advisor or senior operator into a true company-building leadership role, with full P&L responsibility as the business grows. The individual stepping into this role will help shape the company's strategy, build the team, and scale both the service and technology components of the business. The Venture Studio Advantage Trustbridge is incubated within Vulcury, a venture studio that builds and scales companies across technology, manufacturing, and financial services. Unlike a traditional startup where founders must build every function from scratch, Vulcury provides shared infrastructure including: • Strategic research and market analysis • Marketing and growth capabilities • Operational and financial systems • Technical development resources • Access to advisors, investors, and industry partners This structure allows Trustbridge leadership to focus on building the business itself, while benefiting from shared capabilities designed to accelerate execution. The Role The COO / CEO-in-Training will help build and scale two complementary parts of Trustbridge. Engineering & Design Services Trustbridge provides design-for-manufacturing and product development support that helps companies successfully bring products to production. This capability allows Trustbridge to build strong relationships with companies launching new products and supporting their manufacturing journey. Manufacturing Supplier Platform Trustbridge is building a software platform designed to improve how companies identify and engage qualified manufacturing suppliers. The platform will help streamline sourcing decisions while connecting capable manufacturers with meaningful production opportunities. Key Responsibilities Business Leadership • Work alongside the founder to define and execute Trustbridge’s growth strategy • Build and lead the operational team as the company scales • Develop internal systems and processes that support growth Platform Development • Help define the roadmap for the Trustbridge supplier platform • Work with technical teams to ensure the platform delivers meaningful value for both customers and suppliers Commercial Strategy • Develop the go-to-market strategy for both supplier network expansion and customer acquisition • Build relationships with product companies, engineering teams, and manufacturers Organizational Development • Recruit and develop the early leadership team • Build scalable operational systems • Prepare the business for future growth and potential capital formation Compensation This role is structured as a co-founder level opportunity. Compensation includes: • Competitive base salary • Meaningful equity participation in Trustbridge • Performance incentives tied to company growth The goal is to align incentives with the long-term success of the company. What Success Looks Like Over the next several years, the successful candidate will help: • Expand the engineering services capability into a leading product development partner • Build a robust global network of manufacturing suppliers • Launch and grow the Trustbridge supplier platform • Establish Trustbridge as a trusted partner for companies bringing new products to market At that point, the individual will be well positioned to transition fully into the role of Chief Executive Officer of Trustbridge. Requirements Mandatory • MBA or comparable strategic leadership experience • 10+ years of experience in manufacturing, supply chain, engineering services, or industrial markets • Strong operational and strategic capabilities • Demonstrated ability to lead teams and build organizations • Entrepreneurial mindset and interest in building a company Highly Preferred • Background in management consulting (McKinsey, Bain, BCG, Deloitte, Strategy&) • Experience with manufacturing technology or supply chain platforms • Experience working with engineering organizations or product companies • Experience scaling early-stage businesses or business units