Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Job summary
Own day-to-day enterprise execution across the company’s business units and shared services by translating strategy into priorities, rhythms, and accountable delivery. The COO drives operational performance (growth, service, margin, cash, risk) through disciplined operating mechanisms, strong cross-functional coordination, and continuous improvement. Success is measured by reliable execution against company OKRs (Objectives and Key Results), improved service levels, profitable growth, strong cost and cash discipline, and scalable operating systems.
Job descriptions & requirements
- Design and run the enterprise operating cadence (weekly performance reviews, monthly business reviews, quarterly planning) with clear actions and accountability.
- Translate CEO/Board priorities into OKRs and execution roadmaps across business units; ensure alignment and remove duplication.
- Track performance against core metrics (revenue, gross margin, operating cost, cash conversion, service levels, customer experience) and drive corrective actions.
- Own the end-to-end issue escalation system: define escalation thresholds, decision forums, and rapid resolution pathways.
- Partner with BU heads to deliver commercial and operational targets across channels (e-commerce, retail, wholesale, distribution, and manufacturing).
- Ensure each BU maintains a clear operating plan with demand/supply assumptions, people plan, capex priorities, and execution risks.
- Drive cross-BU standardisation where it reduces cost and complexity (processes, KPIs, and controls) while protecting BU-specific requirements.
- Sponsor critical process design and governance for core workstreams (Order-to-Cash, Procure-to-Pay, Plan-to-Deliver, Record-to-Report, New Product Introduction).
- Drive continuous improvement using structured problem-solving (root cause analysis, control remediation, and waste removal) across operations and shared services.
- Ensure core systems (ERP, BI dashboards, workflow approvals) support scalable operations; prioritise tech and process enhancements with clear ROI.
- Ensure operational risks are identified, prioritised, and mitigated; drive closure of audit findings and control exceptions.
- Enforce decision discipline around high-risk areas (inventory integrity, cash controls, credit, pricing exceptions, supplier governance).
- Build an execution culture of ownership, collaboration, and speed with control; coach BU leaders and managers in performance discipline.
- Support CEO in talent decisions: leadership development, succession planning, performance calibration, and organisational effectiveness initiatives.
- Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering, economics, finance, or a related discipline; an MBA or relevant postgraduate qualification is an advantage.
- 12–18+ years of progressive leadership experience, including multi-site operations and/or general management in FMCG, retail, distribution, or manufacturing.
- Proven track record running cross-functional execution at scale (multiple business lines, regions, or channels).
- Experience building operating cadence, performance management systems, and scalable process governance.
- Strong operating model and performance management capability (OKRs, business reviews, KPI design, accountability systems).
- P&L understanding, margin drivers, operating cost discipline, working capital/cash conversion levers.
- Process design, control design awareness, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement methods.
- Strong stakeholder leadership across commercial, supply chain, finance, and technology; able to align diverse teams to shared outcomes.
- Comfortable with data-driven management: dashboards, forecasting assumptions, and prioritisation based on evidence.
- High ownership and bias for action; drives closure without creating chaos.
- Strong judgement under ambiguity; escalates early with options and trade-offs.
- Clear communicator; sets direction, aligns teams, and holds standards consistently.
- High integrity and strong control awareness; protects the business while enabling speed.
- Resilient, composed, and collaborative leadership style.
- Primarily on-site with frequent travel across operating locations (depots, hubs, manufacturing sites, and partner locations).
- The role involves high pace and extended hours during planning cycles, peak trading periods, and critical incidents.
- Confidentiality is essential due to exposure to strategy, performance data, and sensitive operational risks.
- Compensation is competitive and aligned to the seniority and scope of the role.
- Health coverage, paid leave, and other company benefits in line with the company’s
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