Best Fractional COOs for Consumer-focused Companies

Fractional COO Services for Consumer-focused Companies

In an era where agility defines success, consumer-focused companies are increasingly turning to Fractional Chief Operating Officers (COOs) to navigate complex operational landscapes. These professionals bring the precision of enterprise leadership to the flexibility of fractional engagement—helping brands scale, streamline, and sustain competitive advantage without the full-time executive cost.

Across retail, consumer technology, e-commerce, and lifestyle sectors, Fractional COOs are shaping the modern consumer economy. Their expertise extends beyond operational structure—they build frameworks for growth, integrate emerging technologies, and ensure seamless execution of strategy across product, logistics, and people operations.

At Digital Reference, we’ve spent considerable time curating a list of the most trusted, proven, and high-performing Fractional COOs serving consumer-driven organizations. Our selections are the result of in-depth research, rigorous evaluation, and direct feedback from client engagements and case outcomes. Each professional on this list represents excellence in operational leadership and a clear commitment to impact.

Our Selection Methodology - Consumer Company Fractional COOs

Selecting the best Fractional COOs for consumer-focused companies required a holistic and data-informed approach. The Digital Reference Research Team examined candidates based on:

• Proven track records in scaling consumer-focused operations
  
• Demonstrated excellence in cross-functional leadership and execution under pressure
  
• Measurable business outcomes such as revenue growth, process optimization, and team development
  
• Leadership style, cultural alignment, and industry specialization
  
• Authentic client feedback and reputation for ethical, transparent partnerships
  

This curated list highlights professionals who work independently, lead boutique consultancies, or serve through fractional executive platforms. All demonstrate uncommon insight and operational mastery across diverse sectors including retail, consumer goods, technology, health, and finance.

🌟 Featured Fractional COOs Making Things Happen For Consumer-focused Companies

Below is our national and global list of high-impact Fractional COOs redefining operational excellence for consumer-focused enterprises.

♦️ David Baughman

Fractional Executive Solutions and Chief Executive Officer at Fractional Executive Solutions LLC
🔗 LinkedIn | 🌐 Website

With more than two decades of leadership experience, David Baughman stands as a strategic operator who transforms business complexity into structure and efficiency. Through Fractional Executive Solutions, he provides transformative leadership to consumer-oriented firms seeking sustainable operational clarity.

Highlights:

💡 Spearheaded multi-site retail and service optimization initiatives that increased profitability by double digits.

🚀 Known for his ability to unify disconnected teams through disciplined operational playbooks and transparent KPIs.

📈 Guided multiple consumer-service brands through mergers and integration, improving service delivery and customer satisfaction metrics.

🤝 Recognized for his practical, people-first leadership style—balancing process rigor with empathy and collaboration.

♦️ Robert Jordan

Co-Founder & CEO at InterimExecs
🔗 LinkedIn | 🌐 Website

Robert Jordan is one of the most recognizable names in the interim and fractional executive space. As Co-Founder and CEO of InterimExecs, he connects top-tier operational leaders with companies worldwide that need fast, experienced intervention.

Highlights:

🌍 Co-developed the RED Team Model, a globally recognized framework for rapid executive deployment.

💼 Has advised hundreds of organizations on crisis management, scaling, and operational turnaround.

🧭 Author of thought leadership pieces on agile operations, empowering consumer brands to adopt flexible management models.

🏆 Frequently cited in industry media as a pioneer of the “executives on demand” movement.

Jordan’s career demonstrates how fractional executives can democratize access to top leadership talent, a cornerstone belief shared by Digital Reference in our executive consulting insights.

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♦️ James Wakely

Independent Consultant and Fractional COO at JW Consulting
🔗 LinkedIn

James Wakely is a trusted name in consumer goods and retail operations. As a fractional COO, he has built a reputation for transforming operational inefficiencies into scalable systems for growth-oriented companies.

Highlights:

🛒 Guided consumer startups through supply chain redesign and cost optimization, achieving up to 30% reduction in overhead.

🧩 Expert in creating operational models tailored for omnichannel retail.

⚙️ Known for fostering resilience in logistics, especially during market disruptions.

🤝 Dedicated to leadership mentorship—empowering internal teams to sustain performance post-engagement.

♦️ Olivia Wagner

Co-Founder & President at InterimExecs
🔗 LinkedIn | 🌐 Website

With a focus on executional excellence, Olivia Wagner has been instrumental in scaling InterimExecs’ operational footprint globally. Her leadership showcases how precision operations intersect with human-centered management.

Highlights:

🧠 Architected international operational frameworks to manage cross-market consulting engagements.

💼 Deep expertise in process optimization, talent alignment, and client delivery.

🌟 Advocates for inclusive leadership and operational transparency.

🧭 Known for operationally supporting executives through structured onboarding and strategic workflow design.

♦️ Ashish Gupta

Founder & Fractional COO at ScaleUp Exec
🔗 LinkedIn | 🌐 Website

Ashish Gupta is a highly respected operational strategist and entrepreneur. Through ScaleUp Exec, he has built a consultancy focused on helping scale-stage consumer brands find stability during periods of accelerated growth.

Highlights:

🚀 Helped a national consumer-tech company achieve 5x operational throughput within 18 months.

📊 Expert in process scaling, product operations, and agile frameworks.

💡 Thought leader on systemizing innovation within growing organizations.

🤝 Recognized for aligning cross-departmental teams toward shared, measurable goals.

♦️ Joanne Giordano

Integrator Extraordinaire and Fractional COO at Wolf's Edge Integrators
🔗 LinkedIn‍

Joanne Giordano brings a refined sense of strategic structure to the organizations she supports. As a principal consultant at Wolf’s Edge Integrators, she leverages years of operational leadership to implement scalable systems for evolving consumer enterprises.

Highlights:

🧩 Specializes in aligning operational execution with brand identity for consumer-facing companies.

🔄 Expert in post-merger integration and team alignment strategies.

💼 Successfully modernized legacy processes for national brands entering digital markets.

🌍 Advocates for sustainable operational frameworks that balance profitability and ethics.

♦️ Kevin Hooiveld

Fractional Integrator / COO, Founder at Tractional Inc., Fractional Integrator / COO at Wolf's Edge Integrators 
🔗 LinkedIn

Kevin Hooiveld is widely regarded for his deep understanding of operational innovation. As a partner at Wolf’s Edge Integrators, he provides fractional leadership that bridges technical expertise and strategic execution.

Highlights:

⚙️ Transformed multi-site logistics systems to improve fulfillment accuracy and speed.

📈 Known for building operational resilience within fast-growth environments.

🧠 Advises on process automation and digital transformation for consumer operations.

🧭 Strategic thinker dedicated to creating measurable, repeatable operational systems.

♦️ Henry Ching

Chief Executive Officer at ENGINUITY SOLUTIONS, Fractional Executive Integrator at Wolf's Edge Integrators
🔗 LinkedIn

Henry Ching combines engineering precision with executive insight. His dual leadership at Enginuity Solutions and Wolf’s Edge Integrators brings a rare interdisciplinary approach to operational problem-solving.

Highlights:

🧩 Blends engineering methodology with strategic management for transformative results.

🏗️ Directed system overhauls for consumer electronics firms, improving time-to-market.

📊 Expert in process re-engineering, capacity planning, and cost control.

💼 Known for mentorship-driven leadership and cross-functional integration.

♦️ Frederick Hare

Fractional COO, Independent Consultant
🔗 LinkedIn

Frederick Hare brings broad global experience to his fractional engagements. His background in strategic operations makes him a valued partner for consumer-focused firms undergoing growth or restructuring.

Highlights:

🌍 Experience spanning Europe, Asia, and North America in supply chain transformation.

💼 Known for designing frameworks that drive consistent output under high growth.

🧭 Strong believer in cross-border operational alignment.

📈 Delivers measurable impact in cost efficiency and process quality.

♦️ Chris Filer FCMA

Fractional COO & CFO

🔗 LinkedIn

Chris Filer, FCMA, merges operational insight with financial acumen. His dual capability in finance and operations helps consumer-facing organizations navigate scalability while maintaining fiscal discipline.

Highlights:

💡 Implemented cost-control systems saving a national retailer 18% in annual overhead.

📊 Specialist in integrating operational KPIs with financial reporting.

⚙️ Advises consumer-product firms on cash flow optimization during scaling.

🤝 Brings a strategic CFO-COO hybrid perspective.

♦️ Lilian Zhu

Fractional COO & Operations Advisor
🔗 LinkedIn

Lilian Zhu is a data-driven operations strategist with a passion for consumer experience design. She is particularly known for helping digital consumer brands enhance their operational agility.

Highlights:

💡 Designed data-led operational workflows that reduced lead times by 25%.

🧠 Advocates for inclusive, analytics-informed management.

🛍️ Experienced in omni-channel retail and product fulfillment strategy.

⚙️ Proven record of balancing operational efficiency with customer satisfaction.

♦️ Kelly Stacey

Business Consultant | Operator | Leadership Coach at Kelly Stacey Business Consultant & Leadership Coach
🔗 LinkedIn

Kelly Stacey provides leadership to early and mid-stage consumer brands ready to professionalize their operations. She’s known for her ability to bring structure without stifling creativity.

Highlights:

🎯 Helped a lifestyle brand streamline vendor management, improving delivery reliability.

💬 Exceptional at guiding founders through operational decision-making.

⚙️ Creates simple, scalable systems tailored to creative organizations.

🤝 Recognized for high empathy and a calm, results-oriented management style.

♦️Holly Ashford

Fractional Operations Director / COO and Founder at Holly Ashford Consulting & Coaching
🔗 LinkedIn | 🌐 Website

Holly Ashford blends strategic foresight with hands-on operational experience. As the founder of Ashford Advisory, she advises consumer brands on building scalable, sustainable structures for growth.

Highlights:

🌱 Helped a clean-beauty company double production output without increasing headcount.

🧭 Specialist in brand-aligned operations and organizational design.

📈 Skilled in creating roadmaps for scale, culture, and profitability.

💡 Regular speaker and mentor in women-led entrepreneurship networks.

♦️Cynthia Nevels

Fractional COO & Business Strategist
🔗 LinkedIn

Cynthia Nevels has earned recognition as a strategic leader passionate about transforming operations in socially conscious, consumer-driven enterprises. Her advisory work bridges purpose with performance.

Highlights:

💼 Partnered with consumer startups to create socially responsible supply chains.

📊 Expert in digital operations and organizational efficiency.

🌍 Advocate for sustainable business practices and inclusive hiring models.

🧠 Blends entrepreneurial insight with operational pragmatism.

Final Thoughts: The Value of Fractional Leadership in the Consumer Economy

The professionals above represent the next generation of operational leadership—one that is agile, pragmatic, and deeply aligned with the dynamic needs of consumer-facing businesses. Their contributions illustrate how fractional leadership allows organizations to move with precision and pace in an unpredictable market.

As consumer companies evolve, so too does the role of the COO: from a back-office operator to a strategic growth architect. These leaders embody that transformation, delivering measurable results while fostering culture, clarity, and continuity.

At Digital Reference, our mission is to help companies connect with trusted experts who deliver real value. Whether through our curated directories, strategic content, or partnership programs, we’re committed to advancing operational excellence across industries.

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Discover more insights, resources, and curated professional lists on Digital Reference—where leading companies meet the experts shaping the future of work.