Randy Kesterson

About Randy Kesterson

Struggling to turn around underperforming operations or divisions that once thrived?Missing an experienced hand at the executive level to drive strategy, execution, and accountability without the cost of a full-time hire?Trying to align teams, systems, and manufacturing processes to meet growth or profitability goals?If so, you’re not alone and that’s exactly where I come in.How I HelpI help manufacturing and aerospace companies achieve dramatically better business results through experienced, hands-on leadership.As a Fractional COO, Interim Executive, and Senior Advisor, I step into complex situations, stabilize operations, and build sustainable systems for growth.My clients count on me to- Lead operational and cultural turnarounds in highly engineered product environments- Improve profitability through process discipline, lean execution, and strategic alignment- Build leadership teams that perform with clarity, urgency, and accountability- Deliver measurable results quickly without the overhead of a permanent executive hireI’m not a consultant who writes reports. I roll up my sleeves, lead from the front, and help you transform performance from the inside out.Who I Work Best WithYou’ll get the most value from working with me if you’re- A CEO, Founder, or Board Member of a manufacturing or aerospace company- Leading a highly engineered product organization in need of operational excellence- Preparing for a major transition, turnaround, or growth phase- Seeking a trusted executive partner to lead through change and deliver results that lastAbout MeI’ve spent my career helping companies and the people within them, perform at their best.Starting as a manufacturing engineer at John Deere, I rose to General Manager, then EVP/COO. Most of my career has been devoted to turnaround leadership, helping complex organizations restore profitability and resilience.Since retiring from full-time executive roles in 2018, I’ve focused on senior advisory roles (to the CEO) and fractional and interim executive engagements where I can deliver rapid, measurable impact.My sweet spot: manufacturing, aerospace, and other highly engineered product sectors.Let’s connect and explore how your company can achieve much better results.KestersonGroup.com

Experience

1. Interim Chief Operations Officer

   Team Wendy

   Feb 2026 — Present · Cleveland, OH, US

   Responsible for all operational functions within this business.

Education

• Iowa State University

  BS, Engineering

• Duke University - The Fuqua School of Business

  Advanced Management Program

• Syracuse University

  MBA, Operations Management

Skills

• Operations Management
• Systems Engineering
• Lean Manufacturing
• Project Planning
• Supply Chain
• Quality System
• Manufacturing Operations Management
• Spc
• Consulting
• Procurement
• Mrp
• Materials Management
• Team Leadership
• Industrial Engineering
• Process Engineering
• Six Sigma
• Kaizen
• Supply Management
• Fmea
• Engineering Management
• 5s
• Manufacturing
• Change Management
• Dmaic
• Operational Excellence
• Manufacturing Engineering
• Leadership
• Program Management
• Supply Chain Management
• Strategic Sourcing
• Iso
• Business Process Improvement
• Tqm
• Strategy
• Value Stream Mapping
• Process Improvement
• Project Management
• Strategic Planning
• Quality Assurance
• Continuous Improvement