Are you ready to lead the transformation of one of the world’s most vital industries?
At Square Set Metals, we specialize in connecting proven executive leaders with the most impactful opportunities in steel and metals. If you’re actively pursuing your next move as a CEO, CFO, COO, or other C-level leader in this sector, this is where strategy meets opportunity.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through:
- What defines a C-Suite executive in metals and manufacturing
- What top companies are looking for right now
- What kind of compensation you can expect
- How we can help you step into your next leadership role
Whether you’re a seasoned operational leader or a finance strategist driving M&A and digital transformation, your next opportunity is likely already on our radar.
What Is the C-Suite and Why It Matters in Metals and Manufacturing
The C-Suite refers to the top executive tier in a company — those with titles that start with “Chief,” such as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Chief Operating Officer (COO), and Chief Technology Officer (CTO). These roles are the strategic core of the organization, driving vision, performance, and long-term value.
In the steel and metals industry, the C-Suite plays an especially vital role. These companies operate at massive scales with intricate global supply chains, complex capital structures, and deep regulatory frameworks. The sector also faces aggressive transformation: decarbonization, automation, nearshoring, and generational leadership shifts. It’s no longer about just knowing how to run a mill — it’s about knowing how to future-proof it.
At Square Set Metals, we work with companies that don’t just need operators — they need visionaries who execute.
Compensation Insights: How Much Do Steel & Metals C-Suite Executives Earn?
Compensation at the executive level in this industry is competitive and performance-driven. In fact, some of the top-paid industrial executives in the U.S. sit atop steel and metals companies.
Here’s a snapshot of current compensation trends based on recent proxy filings:
In our experience, CFOs typically earn around one-third to half of the CEO’s compensation, while COOs often land in a similar range. Technology and marketing executives, when those roles are distinct, usually fall slightly below — though their influence is rising fast, especially in organizations pivoting toward sustainability and digitalization.
These numbers aren’t just compensation. They’re benchmarks of value — and a clear indicator that companies are investing in strong leadership.
The Hierarchy Within the C-Suite: CEO, CFO, COO, CTO and Beyond
Understanding your potential fit within the C-Suite means knowing the structure — and how it’s evolving.
Based on industry data and direct recruitment experience, we typically see a hierarchy that reflects both legacy industrial functions and emerging strategic needs:
- CEO (Chief Executive Officer): Strategic leader, often with strong operations or finance roots. Sets direction and engages with board/shareholders.
- CFO (Chief Financial Officer): Responsible for capital deployment, M&A, performance tracking, investor relations — increasingly central to transformation initiatives.
- COO (Chief Operating Officer): Oversees production, supply chain, quality, and safety — especially critical in plant-heavy sectors like steel.
- CTO / Chief Innovation or Sustainability Officers: More common now. These roles bridge engineering, ESG, and digital transformation.
For instance, in our executive placement work, we’ve seen roles like Chief Digital Officer and Chief Data Officer rise in prominence, especially in companies modernizing via Industry 4.0 initiatives.
“Many steelmakers no longer rely solely on traditional operational backgrounds for C-level talent. They’re bringing in expertise from finance, sustainability, tech and even retail strategy to reshape their executive teams.”
New Executive Profiles: Sustainability, Digitalization and Strategic Growth
C-Suite leadership is no longer just about keeping the furnaces running — it’s about redefining the industry’s future.
From firsthand industry insight, we know that companies are increasingly looking for leaders who bring:
- Digital fluency: Automation, predictive maintenance, ERP upgrades, AI in logistics
- Sustainability vision: Reducing CO₂, circular economy, green steel production
- Change management skills: Especially important in legacy-driven plants undergoing cultural shift
- Cross-sector agility: CFOs from finance, CMOs from tech, CTOs from energy — all are being hired into metals
In fact, recent studies show that in 2023, 9.6% of skills listed in new C-level job descriptions were soft skills, such as adaptability and strategic communication — up from 7.3% in 2018.
“We’ve seen first-hand how executive teams are evolving — from operational veterans to hybrid thinkers ready to lead in sustainability, M&A, and workforce innovation.”
Executive Success Stories with Square Set Metals
“From CFO to CEO – and into a Leadership Role That Respected My Full Potential”
— Leon H., CEO | Steel Manufacturing (Midwest)
“I was originally seeking a CFO opportunity in metals when I connected with Square Set Metals. But what stood out was how deeply they understood the nuances of C-Suite recruitment in heavy industry. They saw potential beyond my resume. Within weeks, I was interviewing for a CEO role in a fast-growing steel producer — and got hired. Their strategic insight and industry-specific network were game-changers. Today, I lead a company going through transformation, and I owe that pivot to Square.”
Keywords integrados: C-Suite recruitment, got hired, CEO role, steel producer
“Square Set Matched My CTO Profile with a Role Where Innovation Actually Matters”
— Priya R., Chief Technology Officer | Flat-Roll Steel Mill
“After years in automation and digital systems, I was ready to lead real innovation. But the typical recruiters didn’t get what CTOs do in manufacturing. Square Set Metals did. They placed me in a CTO role with a steel company investing in smart mills and green steel. Now I’m leading digital transformation from the inside. It’s rare to feel truly seen in executive recruiting — but Square Set makes that their standard.”
Keywords integrados: CTO role, green steel, digital transformation, executive recruiting
“Square Set Helped Me Find a CFO Role That Wasn’t Just Financial — It Was Strategic”
— Carla M., Chief Financial Officer | Sustainable Metals Producer
“The team at Square Set Metals didn’t just place me — they aligned me. I wasn’t just looking for a job, I was seeking a CFO position where sustainability and capital strategy aligned. They introduced me to a metals company scaling with purpose, where ESG and profitability go hand in hand. Their knowledge of compensation benchmarks, company dynamics and executive expectations made the process seamless.”
Keywords integrados: CFO position, metals company, executive expectations, compensation benchmarks
“After 20 Years in Plant Operations, I Landed a COO Role That Respected My Experience”
— Martin S., Chief Operating Officer | Long Products Division, Steel Company
“I spent two decades working my way up from plant supervisor to division VP — but breaking into the C-Suite felt out of reach. Square Set Metals changed that. They understood the value of my operational experience and matched me with a COO opportunity in a high-performing long products division. They didn’t just find me a job — they unlocked a career-defining role.”
Keywords integrados: COO opportunity, long products division, C-Suite, operational experience
These are just a few of the many stories we help create at Square Set Metals. If you’re ready to make your next move in the C-Suite of steel and metals, let us guide the way.
