Chief Operating Officer (Part - Time)

Our client’s vision is to optimise their operations and build a world-class supply chain that supports their strategic growth goals. We are seeking a highly skilled and dynamic Chief Operating Officer for our client to lead this transformation and ensure their supply chain is robust, efficient, and investment-ready.

The Chief Operating Officer will be responsible for leading and optimising all aspects of the supply chain, procurement, and operational functions. This leadership role demands a strategic thinker with hands-on expertise in supplier risk management, ESG compliance, cost reduction, and global supply chain optimisation. Reporting to the CEO, the Chief Operating Officer will play a pivotal role in supporting strategic objectives and ensuring sustainable growth.

Our client operates on a global scale, with its headquarters based in the UK and operational hubs and sales centres in Sydney, Australia, and Washington, USA. The Chief Operating Officer will oversee supply chain activities across these regions, ensuring alignment, efficiency, and collaboration to achieve company-wide goals.

The role will involve frequent interaction with regional teams and suppliers to streamline processes, standardise practices, and drive a unified approach to supply chain management across all locations. The Chief Operating Officer will lead and manage key functions within the organisation, ensuring cohesive operations across the supply chain and customer-facing teams. Manage supply chain coordinators focusing on logistics, inventory optimisation, and global supply chain integration.

Drive efficiency improvements in lead times, cost management, and delivery reliability.

Production/Assembly

Oversee the leadership of production and assembly teams, ensuring high-quality output and efficient operations. Implement strategies to outsource sub-assembly work to third-party providers. The Chief Operating Officer will play an integral role in mentoring and developing these teams to achieve their full potential while aligning their efforts with the organisation’s strategic goals.

Strategic Supply Chain Management

Develop and implement a strategy to diversify supplier risks, ensuring secondary and tertiary suppliers are in place for key components where 10% or more of COGs depend on a single supplier. Mitigate geopolitical risks by establishing suppliers outside of conflict-prone areas. Lead supplier factory audits for the top 20% of suppliers (accounting for 80% of COG spend) to ensure quality, reliability, and alignment with company values. Outsource sub-assembly operations to third-party providers to streamline processes and improve efficiency. Spearhead the organisation’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) program, ensuring compliance and driving sustainable supply chain practices. Establish and maintain Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and a robust Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) framework with bi-annual/annual performance reviews.

Risk Management: Strong experience in identifying and mitigating supplier risks, including geopolitical and supplier concentration risks.

Financial Acumen: Ability to manage budgets, analyse cost structures, and deliver measurable cost savings. Adept at building and maintaining relationships with suppliers, internal teams, and external partners.

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred). ~10+ years of experience in supply chain leadership roles, with a focus on procurement, operations, and supplier management. ~ Strong knowledge of supply chain technologies and tools for performance monitoring and data analysis. ~ Competitive salary and performance-based incentives. Opportunities for professional development and career advancement.