Fractional COO & Operations Consultant

Sue Johnston

ClearOps Co

Clarity. Systems. Results.

I bring executive-level operational leadership to businesses that have outgrown their systems but aren't done growing. The financial depth to read what your numbers are really saying. The operational experience to fix what's causing them. Without the cost of a full-time executive.

Sue Johnston, Fractional COO
Fractional COO
Operations & Strategy

The Operator Behind ClearOps Co

Sue Johnston
Sue Johnston · Founder, ClearOps Co
20+
Years in Operations
$3B+
Transactions Protected
5×
Month-End Close Compression

I've spent two decades inside the operational engine of businesses — not advising from the outside, but building from within.

My career has taken me from leading fleet and automotive operations to enterprise-level work at Lithia Motors ($38B) and GE Capital ($68B). I've rescued failed ERP implementations, compressed month-end close cycles from 15 days to 5, designed PCI compliance programs protecting over $3 billion in annual transactions, and led operational outsourcing migrations across continents. I know what it looks like when a business is running well — and I know exactly where the cracks appear when it isn't.

What makes my work different is that I see the financial and the people sides of a business at the same time. Most operators see one or the other. I've spent my career at the intersection of both — which means I don't just identify problems, I understand what's driving them and how to fix them without breaking what's already working.

ERP Rescue
Cleared 78% of system errors in 45 days. Team went from reactive workarounds to documented, repeatable process.
Month-End Close
Compressed a 15-day close to 5 days through standardized handoffs and accountability structures.
Collections
Reduced DSO from 47.1 to 22.3 days — freeing significant cash flow without adding headcount.
Team Performance
Built and led the company's first training summit — resulting in 28% GP improvement per technician and 9% daily sales growth.

Why ClearOps Co? I made a deliberate choice to work with many businesses rather than one. The problems I've spent 20 years solving aren't unique to any single company — they're everywhere. Fractional work lets me bring that experience to more owners, at the stage where it matters most, without the overhead of a full-time executive hire on their end.

Fleet Management Automotive Dealerships Multi-Location Services Financial Services M&A Integration

How We Work Together

Fractional COO Engagements

Every engagement starts with understanding your business — where it is, where it's going, and what's getting in the way. Choose the level of involvement that fits where you are right now.

Diagnostic
30-Day Flat Fee · Scoped to your engagement

Not sure where to start? This is it. A focused 30-day deep dive into your operations, financials, and team — delivered as a clear roadmap with prioritized recommendations.

  • Operational assessment
  • Financial health review
  • Team & process audit
  • Prioritized action plan
  • ~20–30 hours total
Light Retainer
1 Day / Week · Scoped to your engagement

Strategic advisory plus focused execution on 1–2 priority areas. Right for businesses that need a steady hand without full-time operational involvement.

  • Weekly leadership cadence
  • 1–2 focused work streams
  • KPI tracking & accountability
  • On-call advisory support
  • 6–8 hrs/week · 24–32 hrs/month
Intensive / Turnaround
3 Days / Week · Scoped to your engagement

For businesses navigating a crisis, turnaround, M&A integration, or rapid growth that has outpaced their systems. High-touch, high-output, fast results.

  • Crisis stabilization
  • M&A integration support
  • Rapid systems build-out
  • Executive team alignment
  • 20–24 hrs/week · 80–96 hrs/month

SOPs & Documentation

Build the playbooks your team needs to operate consistently — without you in every room. Documented, repeatable, and built to scale.

  • Standard operating procedures
  • Process documentation
  • Onboarding workflows
  • Compliance frameworks
  • Knowledge management

Reporting Automation

Stop pulling the same reports manually every month. I build automated workflows so your data shows up — accurate, on time, without the grind.

  • Workflow automation design
  • Reporting pipeline setup
  • System integration
  • Dashboard automation
  • Monthly close efficiency

Financial Intelligence

Know What Your Numbers Are Actually Saying

A single snapshot tells you very little. Every report includes the current period, the prior 3 months, and the same month from the prior year — because context is what turns numbers into decisions.

Financial Position

Balance Sheet Analysis

A clear-eyed look at your assets, liabilities, and equity — with health ratings, plain-English definitions, industry benchmarks, and flagged items worth a conversation.

Current Ratio Working Capital DSO Debt Structure 3-Month Trend Prior Year Comparison
Scoped to engagement

Business Clarity

Balance Sheet + Income Statement + Operations

Everything in Financial Intelligence, plus operational metrics that show how efficiently your business is actually running — labor, COGS, gross profit, and more.

COGS Analysis Gross Profit Labor Efficiency Expense Ratios Inventory Turns Ops KPIs
Scoped to engagement

Monthly packages require a 12-month commitment. First quarter billed upfront, then quarterly in advance.

WHAT A REPORT LOOKS LIKE

Real format. Confidential client data replaced. This is exactly what lands in your inbox.

Balance Sheet — Key Metrics
Q1 2025 vs Q4 2024 vs Q1 2024
Metric
Q1 2025
Q4 2024
Q1 2024
Health
Current RatioAbility to cover short-term obligations
1.82×
1.61×
1.74×
Strong
Days Sales OutstandingAvg days to collect payment
13.0
18.4
22.1
Strong
Working CapitalLiquid cushion for operations
$1.24M
$987K
$1.08M
Stable
Debt-to-EquityLeverage level vs owner equity
2.4×
1.9×
1.7×
At Risk
Debt-to-equity increased 26% quarter-over-quarter. What drove the additional leverage this period?
Income Statement — Margin Summary
Q1 2025 vs Q4 2024 vs Q1 2024
Metric
Q1 2025
Q4 2024
Q1 2024
Health
RevenueTotal top-line sales
$4.82M
$4.31M
$4.19M
Strong
Gross Profit MarginRevenue minus direct job costs
41.2%
38.7%
36.4%
Strong
Net Income (Reported)After all expenses & overhead
6.6%
4.1%
5.3%
Stable
Net Income (Adjusted)Adjusted for missing depreciation
2.9%
4.1%
5.3%
At Risk
No depreciation posted this quarter. Adjusted net income is 2.9% — not 6.6%. This overstates profitability by an estimated $218K.

Dollar figures redacted to protect client confidentiality. Ratios and format are representative of actual deliverables.

Operations Intelligence — Key Metrics
Q1 2025 vs Q4 2024 vs Q1 2024
Metric
Q1 2025
Q4 2024
Q1 2024
Health
Gross Profit MarginRevenue minus direct costs ÷ revenue
41.2%
38.7%
36.4%
Strong
COGS as % of RevenueDirect job costs as share of top-line
58.8%
61.3%
63.6%
Stable
Labor as % of RevenueTotal payroll ÷ revenue — key efficiency signal
38.4%
36.1%
35.7%
At Risk
Overtime as % of PayrollOT dollars ÷ total payroll spend
6.2%
5.8%
4.9%
Stable
Operating Expense RatioTotal overhead ÷ revenue
33.7%
31.2%
29.4%
At Risk
Revenue per EmployeeTotal revenue ÷ headcount
$187K
$179K
$172K
Strong
Labor as % of revenue has increased 2.7 points over three quarters. At current revenue, that's approximately $130K in added labor cost year-over-year. Is this driven by headcount additions, overtime, or wage increases?

Let's Talk

Work With Me

Tell Me About Your Business

Answer a few questions so I can understand where you are and where you want to go. Takes less than 3 minutes. I'll follow up within one business day.

01Tell me about your business & challenges
02I review and assess fit
03We connect — no pressure, real conversation
Start Intake Form →

Or email directly: sjohnston@clearopsco.com

Schedule a Discovery Call

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