At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operational excellence and drive growth strategies for a tech-savvy manufacturing company.
- Company: Join FourJaw, a dynamic UK-based industrial technology firm revolutionising manufacturing productivity.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonuses, hybrid working, and the chance to shape a growing SaaS business.
- Other info: Collaborate with a talented team and enjoy a pivotal role in a fast-growing environment.
- Why this job: Be a key player in scaling a company from £2m to £10m ARR while influencing industry innovation.
- Qualifications: Senior leadership experience in B2B SaaS and proven success in operational frameworks.
The predicted salary is between 99000 - 121000 £ per year.
- Four Jaw - Chief Operating Officer
- Confidential Candidate Briefing Document
- Introduction
Four Jaw is a UK-based industrial technology company helping manufacturers improve productivity through a hardware-enabled Saa S platform that provides real-time machine utilisation, productivity and energy performance data. The business has established product-market fit, serves approximately 150-160 manufacturing customers, generates around £2.25m in annual recurring revenue, and is now focused on scaling towards £10m ARR and beyond.
To support this next phase of growth, Four Jaw is seeking an exceptional Chief Operating Officer who can translate strategic ambition into operational execution, build scalable systems and processes, and develop a high-performing leadership team capable of supporting significant future expansion.
Company Overview
Four Jaw provides manufacturers with live operational visibility by connecting directly to production equipment and collecting machine performance data. This information enables manufacturing organisations to identify inefficiencies, improve productivity, reduce downtime and make more informed operational decisions.
The company has successfully evolved from an early-stage technology venture into a growing software business with:
- Approximately 30 employees.
- Around 150-160 manufacturing customers.
- Approximately £2.25m annual recurring revenue.
- A recently rebuilt technology platform designed to support future scale.
The organisation is entering a critical stage where the foundations for future growth must be strengthened without losing the entrepreneurial culture that has driven success to date.
Industry Overview
Manufacturing organisations globally continue to invest in digital transformation initiatives aimed at improving productivity, efficiency and sustainability. The emergence of Industry 4.0 technologies has accelerated demand for solutions that provide real-time visibility into production operations.
Key trends shaping the market include
- Increased adoption of Industrial Internet of Things (IIo T) technologies.
- Growing demand for real-time production monitoring.
- Greater focus on operational efficiency and waste reduction.
- Rising pressure to improve energy management and sustainability performance.
- Increased use of data analytics and AI-driven insights within manufacturing environments.
As manufacturers seek to maximise output from existing assets while managing labour and energy costs, solutions that provide actionable operational intelligence are becoming increasingly valuable. Four Jaw - Chief Operating Officer
- Confidential Candidate Briefing Document
- Technology Summary
Four Jaw's platform combines hardware connectivity with cloud-based software to deliver real-time production intelligence.
The solution
- Connects directly to manufacturing equipment.
- Captures productivity and energy data from the shop floor.
- Creates a single source of operational truth for customers.
- Enables manufacturers to identify improvement opportunities and increase productivity.
- Supports operational decision-making through data-driven insights.
The company has recently invested significantly in rebuilding its platform architecture to provide the scalability required for future growth.
Market Opportunity & Positioning
The manufacturing sector remains one of the largest untapped opportunities for operational data and productivity software. Despite significant advances in digital technology, many manufacturers still lack accurate, real-time visibility into equipment utilisation and production efficiency.
- Four Jaw is positioned at the intersection of several attractive growth markets:
- Industrial software.
- Manufacturing productivity.
- Operational analytics.
- Energy monitoring.
- Industrial Io T.
Its ability to combine hardware integration with actionable software insights creates a differentiated proposition for manufacturers seeking measurable operational improvements.
The business benefits from
- A proven customer base.
- Recurring revenue economics.
- A scalable technology platform.
- Strong sector relevance.
- Clear growth ambitions.
The next phase of value creation will be driven not only by product innovation but by operational excellence and organisational scale. Four Jaw - Chief Operating Officer
- Confidential Candidate Briefing Document
- Project Status & Timeline
Four Jaw has achieved strong early-stage growth and established solid market traction. The leadership team is regarded as capable, intelligent and highly action-oriented.
The business now faces a common scale-up challenge: transitioning from founder-led execution and informal decision-making towards a more structured operating model capable of sustaining accelerated growth.
The company's stated ambition is to grow from approximately £2.25m ARR to £10m ARR while maintaining customer focus, execution quality and organisational culture.
Over the next 12-24 months the organisation intends to
- Strengthen leadership team effectiveness.
- Improve cross-functional execution.
- Develop scalable operating rhythms.
- Enhance reporting and decision-making processes.
- Increase organisational capability ahead of future growth stages.
- Reduce operational dependency on the founder and CEO.
- Key Challenges & Risks
One of the most significant challenges facing Four Jaw is implementing sufficient structure and governance without undermining the agility that has contributed to its success.
As the company grows, maintaining alignment across Product, Engineering, Customer Success,
Sales, Marketing and Finance becomes increasingly complex. Strong cross-functional coordination will be essential.
The business must anticipate future organisational requirements rather than reacting to them. This includes people capability, systems, processes and leadership development.
Continued growth will require effective governance across product development, customer onboarding, implementation and retention activities.
The Team
The Chief Operating Officer will report directly to the Founder and CEO, Chris Iveson, and will serve as a key member of the Senior Leadership Team.
The existing leadership group is described as talented, ambitious and highly capable, with strong entrepreneurial instincts and deep commitment to the organisation's mission.
The successful candidate will work collaboratively across
- Product Four Jaw - Chief Operating Officer
- Confidential Candidate Briefing Document
- Engineering
- Sales
- Marketing
- Customer Operations
- Finance to ensure strategic priorities are executed consistently and effectively.
- Role Specification
- Role Purpose
The Chief Operating Officer will build and lead the operational platform required to support
Four Jaw's next stage of growth.
Four Jaw has a strong, intelligent and self-aware leadership team. Its present risk is not lack of talent, but overlap, informal decision-making, inconsistent follow-through and a tendency for senior people to solve problems individually. The COO must preserve the team's entrepreneurial energy while introducing the clarity, accountability and repeatability required for scale.
Working as the CEO's closest operational partner, the COO will translate strategy into action, develop organisational capability, improve cross-functional alignment and ensure the business is prepared for sustained scale.
Key Responsibilities
- Leadership & Operational Excellence
- Build a scalable operating model.
- Establish effective planning and execution frameworks.
- Drive organisational accountability.
- Improve visibility of key business metrics.
- Enable faster and more effective decision-making.
- Strategic Execution
- Translate strategic goals into executable business plans.
- Align resources against growth priorities.
- Manage interdependencies across functions.
- Support long-term organisational development.
- Leadership Development
- Strengthen leadership capability.
- Coach senior leaders.
- Create a performance-focused culture.
- Develop succession and talent plans. Four Jaw - Chief Operating Officer
- Confidential Candidate Briefing Document
- Commercial Performance
- Support sustainable revenue growth.
- Improve customer retention and expansion.
- Enhance operational effectiveness.
- Ensure resources are deployed efficiently.
- Product & Customer Governance
- Improve alignment between customer needs and product priorities.
- Support scalable customer operations.
- Increase organisational maturity across product delivery and customer success.
- Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate will bring
Experience
- Senior leadership experience within a B2B Saa S or software-enabled organisation.
- Direct scale-up experience, ideally from approximately £2m to £10m+ ARR.
- Proven success building operational frameworks and execution disciplines.
- Strong commercial and cross-functional leadership capability.
- Experience developing senior leadership teams.
- Personal Attributes
- Commercially minded.
- Pragmatic and execution-focused.
- Strong relationship builder.
- Low ego and highly collaborative.
- Comfortable operating in ambiguity.
- Data-driven but action-oriented.
- Able to balance strategic thinking with operational delivery.
- Success Measures
Success in the role will be demonstrated through
- Greater organisational alignment.
- Improved leadership team effectiveness.
- Stronger operational discipline.
- Better cross-functional collaboration.
- Enhanced decision-making and reporting.
- Increased organisational scalability.
- Reduced dependency on founder-led coordination.
- Sustainable progress towards the company's £10m ARR ambition. Four Jaw - Chief Operating Officer
- Confidential Candidate Briefing Document
- Engagement Terms
Reporting Line: Founder & CEO, Chris Iveson.
Package: Competitive executive salary, bonus and long-term incentive arrangements.
Working Pattern: Hybrid, willing to work regularly from Four Jaw's Sheffield office, normally three days per week minimum.
Why This Is a Great Opportunity
This role offers a rare opportunity to join a technology company at a pivotal stage of its development.
The successful candidate will have the chance to
- Shape the future operating model of a growing Saa S business.
- Partner directly with an ambitious founder and CEO.
- Influence strategy and execution at board level.
- Develop a high-performing leadership team.
- Help scale a business from £2m to £10m ARR.
- Contribute to modernising global manufacturing through technology.
- Create lasting organisational impact while retaining entrepreneurial agility.
For a growth-oriented operator who enjoys building scalable organisations and leading through complexity, this represents a genuine career-defining opportunity.
FourJaw COO in Sheffield employer: CRSI
At Hydrosense, we pride ourselves on being an innovative leader in the digital space, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters creativity and collaboration. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through tailored development programmes and opportunities to lead transformative projects in a global market. Join us in our mission to redefine customer relationships and expand our international reach, all while enjoying a supportive environment that values your contributions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land FourJaw COO in Sheffield
✨Tip Number 1: Get Involved in Consulting Case Competitions
Look for case competitions hosted by universities and consulting firms. They’re a fab way to showcase your problem-solving skills and meet industry players. Plus, winning one can seriously boost your CV, which we know is key when applying for roles like FourJaw COO at CRSI!
✨Tip Number 2: Leverage Alumni Networks
Tap into your university’s alumni network; many consultants love to help out new talent. Reach out to alumni who are working in management consulting, they might have insider knowledge about openings at firms like CRSI or be willing to refer you for that FourJaw COO position!
✨Tip Number 3: Attend Industry Events and Conferences
Keep an eye on management consulting events, workshops, or panels. These are prime opportunities to network with top professionals and get your name out there. You might even bump into someone from CRSI who’s on the lookout for their next FourJaw COO star!
✨Tip Number 4: Polish Your Consulting Skills Online
Engage with online platforms that offer consulting simulations or courses. Prove your chops by completing relevant projects — this not only beefs up your experience but also gives you concrete examples to chat about during interviews for that full-time FourJaw COO role at CRSI!
We think you need these skills to ace FourJaw COO in Sheffield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Problem-Solving Skills:In management consulting, it's all about problem-solving—so make sure your CV highlights your analytical and critical thinking skills. Include examples from your studies or previous roles where you tackled complex issues or came up with innovative solutions. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate your impact!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to explain why you're a perfect fit for the consulting world. Focus on your motivation for joining the industry and how your skills align with the requirements of the role at CRSI. Remember to mention any relevant coursework or projects that showcase your understanding of strategic frameworks or business models!
Highlight Team Experience:Consultants often work in teams, so it's vital to showcase your collaborative skills. Include experiences where you've worked effectively with others, whether in academic group projects or internships. Discuss your role in the team and how you helped achieve common goals, demonstrating you can thrive in a consultancy environment.
Professionalise Your Online Presence:Make sure your LinkedIn and any other professional profiles are up to date, reflecting your career aspirations in management consulting. Connect with industry professionals and follow relevant groups—show you’re serious about entering this field. Applying through our website is a great way to get noticed, so showcase your personality and enthusiasm there!
How to prepare for a job interview at CRSI
✨Master the Case Study Game
In management consulting, case study interviews are all the rage. Make sure to practice structuring your thoughts and analysing data on the fly. Use resources like example case studies to get comfortable with frameworks and solutions. Remember, it’s not just about getting the right answer but showcasing your thought process, so talk us through your reasoning!
✨Know Your Numbers
Be prepared for some numerical and analytical questions. Brush up on your mental math and be ready to interpret data from charts or graphs. We might throw some business scenarios at you that require a quick turnaround on numerical analysis, so practice these skills to feel confident and swift!
✨Show Your Leadership Flair
As this is a full-time role, we want to see your potential as a seasoned consultant. Be ready to discuss experiences where you've led a project or a team. Think about times you've influenced decisions or navigated challenges—this is your chance to show how you can thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
✨Be a Cultural Fit
We’re not just looking for brains; we want to see if you vibe with our company culture at CRSI. Prepare to share how your values align with ours. Have a think about what makes a great team environment for you and how you can contribute to that. A good cultural fit goes a long way in management consulting!
