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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operational functions and drive performance across engineering, manufacturing, and project delivery.
- Company: Join a private equity backed design/engineering business in an exciting growth phase.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, executive incentives, and the chance to shape the company's future.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team focused on operational excellence and continuous improvement.
- Qualifications: Proven senior operational leadership experience in engineering or project-based environments required.
- Other info: Work closely with experienced investors and a collaborative senior leadership team.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.
A well established, private equity backed design/engineering/installation business is looking for a dynamic and experienced Chief Operating Officer to join its senior leadership team. Specialising in complex, project-based delivery, the company is entering an exciting phase of strategic growth and operational transformation.
This is a high-impact, hands on leadership role for an operational expert with a track record of driving efficiency, building scalable systems, and enabling profitable growth — ideally within a private equity or high-growth environment.
The Opportunity
As Chief Operating Officer, you will play a central role in ensuring that the business delivers on its commercial and customer commitments. From operational strategy to frontline execution, you’ll have end-to-end responsibility for driving performance across engineering, manufacturing, project delivery, and supply chain functions.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead all operational functions across engineering, project delivery, production, and logistics.
- Develop and execute operational strategies aligned with the company’s growth and performance objectives.
- Implement and improve systems, processes, and KPIs to drive quality, efficiency, and scalability.
- Champion a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and operational excellence.
- Work closely with the executive team and private equity partners to support value creation plans.
- Oversee resource planning, supply chain performance, health & safety, and compliance.
- Support the delivery of complex, multi-site projects, ensuring on-time, on-budget outcomes.
- Drive operational readiness for new product/service introductions and market expansions.
About You
- Proven experience in a senior operational leadership role within an engineering, manufacturing, or project-based business.
- Demonstrable success in scaling operations and improving performance across complex environments.
- Experience in a private equity-backed or high-growth setting is strongly preferred.
- Deep understanding of project delivery, supply chain, production, and quality systems.
- Strong leadership and people management skills, with the ability to influence at all levels.
- Commercially astute, process-driven, and highly pragmatic in approach.
- Excellent communication, planning, and organisational skills.
- Sharply intelligent with the curiosity to question the status quo.
What’s on Offer
- Key leadership role in a business at a pivotal stage of growth and transformation.
- Significant scope to shape the operational future of the organisation.
- Competitive salary and executive incentive package aligned with performance and growth.
- Opportunity to work closely with experienced investors and a collaborative senior leadership team.
Chief Operating Officer employer: SF Executive
Contact Detail:
SF Executive Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Operating Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the engineering and manufacturing sectors. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with individuals who may have insights into the company or the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Research the company's recent projects and operational strategies. Understanding their current challenges and successes will help you tailor your discussions during interviews and demonstrate your genuine interest.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've driven efficiency and scalability in previous roles. Highlighting measurable outcomes will showcase your ability to deliver results in a similar environment.
✨Tip Number 4
Familiarise yourself with the private equity landscape, especially how it impacts operational strategies. Being able to speak knowledgeably about this can set you apart as a candidate who understands the business context.
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Operating Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in operational leadership, particularly within engineering or project-based environments. Use specific examples that demonstrate your success in driving efficiency and scaling operations.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the role and the company. Discuss how your background aligns with their needs, particularly your experience in private equity-backed settings and your ability to implement operational strategies.
Highlight Key Achievements: When detailing your work history, focus on quantifiable achievements that showcase your impact on performance and growth. Use metrics to illustrate how you have improved systems, processes, and KPIs in previous roles.
Showcase Leadership Skills: Emphasise your leadership and people management skills throughout your application. Provide examples of how you've influenced teams and driven a culture of continuous improvement in past positions.
How to prepare for a job interview at SF Executive
✨Showcase Your Operational Expertise
Be prepared to discuss your previous experiences in operational leadership roles. Highlight specific examples where you successfully drove efficiency and scalability, particularly in complex environments similar to the one described in the job profile.
✨Demonstrate Strategic Thinking
Articulate your approach to developing and executing operational strategies. Discuss how you align these strategies with growth objectives and how you've implemented systems and processes that have led to measurable improvements.
✨Emphasise Leadership and Team Collaboration
Prepare to talk about your leadership style and how you foster a culture of continuous improvement and accountability. Share examples of how you've influenced teams at all levels and collaborated with executive teams and stakeholders.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in real-world scenarios. Think about challenges you've faced in project delivery or supply chain management and how you overcame them, ensuring you can convey your thought process clearly.
