Chief Operations Officer - Hybrid
hace 4 días
Edinburgh
Background: The Chief Operating Officer is accountable for the end-to-end delivery of the businesses products and services, ensuring the business operates efficiently, reliably and at scale. This role owns operational performance across manufacturing, engineering, supply chain, quality and customer delivery, translating strategic ambition into disciplined execution. As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, the COO ensures that operational capability keeps pace with commercial growth and product innovation. They are responsible for building a scalable, high-performing operational engine that delivers strong quality outcomes, cost control, regulatory compliance and customer satisfaction. The role provides executive oversight of programme governance, resource allocation and technical execution, ensuring critical initiatives are prioritised, delivered on time and aligned to long-term strategic objectives. With accountability for health, safety, environmental standards and product reliability, the COO safeguards operational integrity while driving continuous improvement. Operating at the intersection of engineering excellence and manufacturing scalability, the COO plays a defining role in strengthening delivery performance, protecting margin and enabling sustainable growth in a technology-led clean energy environment. Overview Own and lead the end-to-end delivery of products and services, ensuring the business operates efficiently, reliably, and at scale, with strong quality, safety, and customer outcomes. Operational Delivery & Execution Full accountability for operational performance across manufacturing, engineering, supply chain, quality, and customer delivery. Ensure reliable execution of customer orders, product development, and operational commitments. Translate strategic priorities into executable operational plans and programmes. Manufacturing & Production Excellence Lead factory operations to deliver cost-effective, scalable, and high-quality production. Drive efficiency, yield, and margin improvement using Lean Six Sigma principles Ensure appropriate balance of permanent and agency resources to support demand. Engineering, Materials & Technical Execution Own engineering and materials science execution aligned to the agreed product roadmap – working closely with Head of Product Strategy. Ensure disciplined technical development, change control, and design for manufacturability. Maintain technical coherence and standards across all products and variants. Supply Chain, Planning & Continuity Ensure uninterrupted production through robust procurement, planning, logistics, and supplier management. Manage supply chain risk, lead times, inventory, and cost control. Support new product introductions and scale-up through effective supplier and planning integration. Programme Management & Resource Allocation Own programme governance and resource allocation across operational and technical projects. Ensure critical projects are prioritised, resourced, and delivered on time and to budget. Provide clear visibility of delivery progress, risks, and dependencies. Quality, Reliability & Compliance (QHSE) Lead continuous improvement in product quality, field reliability, and operational compliance. Ensure audit readiness and adherence to health, safety, environmental, and regulatory standards. Own root cause analysis and corrective actions for failures and customer issues. Customer Support & Technical Experience Own post-sale technical support, customer service, installer support, and technical escalation. Ensure effective feedback loops from the field into engineering and production. Drive improvements in customer satisfaction and long-term reliability. Reporting, Governance & Operational Culture Establish clear operational KPIs covering delivery, cost, quality, safety, and productivity. Provide regular, data-driven updates to the CEO, OLT, and Board. Build a disciplined, execution-focused operational culture with clear accountability. Qualifications: Essential Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management or related discipline • Significant senior leadership experience in manufacturing or technology-led operational environments, • Demonstrated experience scaling operations within a growing organisation, • Strong knowledge of Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies, • Health and safety certification (IOSH or equivalent as minimum) Desirable • Master’s degree (e.g., MBA or Engineering discipline), • Chartered status (e.g., CEng or relevant professional body), • Six Sigma certification, • Programme or portfolio management certification, • Experience within clean energy, thermal systems, or advanced manufacturing sectors Sills & Expertise: Technical: Data analysis and reporting Project management (programme governance and delivery) IT systems and software proficiency (ERP, planning systems, reporting platforms) Process improvement and efficiency (Lean, Six Sigma) Compliance and regulatory knowledge (Health and Safety, environmental standards) Automation and AI implementation in business processes Leadership and management: Team management Coaching and mentoring Performance management and feedback Stakeholder engagement and management Change management and organisational development Communication and collaboration: Verbal communication at executive level Presentation and public speaking (board level reporting) Cross-functional collaboration Customer and strategic relationship management Negotiation and persuasion Writing effective reports and board-level updates Adapts communication for the audience Problem solving and analytical skills: Critical thinking and decision-making Risk assessment and problem mitigation Process design and optimisation Root cause analysis Trouble-shooting and resolving operational issues Personal and organisational skills: Time management and prioritisation at executive level Prioritisation and multitasking Organisational efficiency and workflow management Attention to detail Ability to work independently Personal attributes Self-motivation: Results driven Proactive and takes initiative Driven by achieving goals and delivering results Shares knowledge and supports the development of others Integrity and ethics: Demonstrates sound judgment and integrity Accountable and reliable Takes ownership of challenges and sees them through Maintains professionalism under pressure Takes pride in delivering high-quality work Emotional intelligence: Builds positive relationships with colleagues and stakeholders Effectively manages conflict and difficult conversations Encourages collaboration and teamwork Respectful and professional in all interactions Open mindedness: Thinks strategically and considers the bigger picture Balances short-term needs with long-term strategic goals Seeks and applies feedback for self-improvement Resilience and adaptability: Resilient and handles challenges well Comfortable with ambiguity and change Able to work under pressure Seeks opportunities for improvement and efficiency Our Referral Incentive: Due to the high amount of interest that we receive for each of our roles unfortunately we cannot respond to each application individually, therefore if you do not hear back from us you have not been shortlisted for this role. Please continue to check our website for any other roles which may be of interest.We offer a £500 referral if you introduce someone we place - see our website for details We regret that this client is not prepared to sponsor work permit or work permit transfer applications. Candidates must be able to prove their eligibility to work in the UK