Company Name
LM Wireless
Search Job Title
Chief Operating Officer
Client Profile
LM Wireless (“LM” or the “Company”) provides value-added distribution, refurbishment, and reverse logistics services for returned, damaged, and overstock consumer electronics and accessories. Products include tablets, MP3 players, smartwatches, digital cameras, batteries, chargers, cases, cords, and related consumer electronics goods. The Company specializes in purchasing returned/damaged and wholesale consumer electronics products and accessories from OEMs, wireless carriers, and large retailers/e-tailers in bulk, then selling them through online retail and wholesale channels after in-house refurbishing, reconditioning, and/or testing. In addition to its distribution/refurbishing/reselling activities, LM also sources and sells third-party-manufactured private-label consumer electronics.
Role Objectives & Challenges
The company needed to transition from a founder-led, entrepreneurial operation to a professionally managed and modernized company. The business had outgrown its current leadership infrastructure and faced operational bottlenecks at its primary facility in New York —an outdated, high-cost location that hindered inbound and outbound freight efficiency. The primary objective was to hire a Chief Operating Officer capable of spearheading the company’s operational relocation and transformation. The ideal candidate needed deep experience in reverse logistics, warehousing, and distribution, and had to be comfortable rolling up their sleeves in a hands-on environment. Complicating the search was the dual-location requirement: the new COO would need to spend the initial months in NY learning the business before transitioning it to a new 200,000 sq. ft. facility in Dallas. Additionally, the COO would play a critical leadership role as one of three members on the executive committee, with significant autonomy and strategic input. The challenge lay in identifying a seasoned operator who could bring structure, scale, and performance to a high-potential but under-professionalized business, without the immediate support of robust systems or a seasoned team.
Our Approach to Solve the Search
The sourcing strategy was to find someone willing to relocate their business from the Northeast corridor to a lower-cost state with greater access to a more affordable labor pool. We focused on candidates with startup experience and deep expertise in warehouse operations, particularly those with reverse logistics backgrounds. Experience with consumer electronics refurbishment was a key requirement. Preference was given to service providers, particularly those with 3PL experience in the Dallas Metro area. We identified top-performing 3PLs with strong reverse logistics and refurbishment capabilities and deep experience in the consumer electronics industry. Multiple candidates were sourced from our primary target list consisting of companies such as Genco, and we ultimately landed on a standout professional with multisite experience and a proven history of success in both startups and turnaround environments. A true slam dunk candidate who checked all the boxes.
The Hire & Results
We developed a pipeline of 15 candidates, which was narrowed down to three finalists. The successful candidate placed as Chief Operating Officer brought a proven track record of operational leadership and deep expertise in reverse logistics, consumer electronics refurbishment, and business transformation. During his previous tenure, he led the complete rebranding and transformation of his company, including a full-scale relocation of operations from NY to Texas. He executed this move within 90 days, overseeing site selection, staffing, IT setup, and operational continuity. His experience in implementing process improvements and redesigning workflows led to a 40% reduction in labor costs, while also adding 3PL capabilities and securing new contracts with wireless carriers and a healthcare manufacturer. This candidate’s history of driving efficiency, leading major transitions, and managing cost controls aligned perfectly with the company’s objectives. His ability to scale operations, enhance IT systems, and lead cross-functional teams through change made him a strategic hire with immediate impact. By leveraging his experience and leadership, LM Wireless positioned itself for a smoother relocation, improved labor and freight cost structure, and a stronger foundation for growth.
