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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operations and drive growth in a high-precision engineering firm.
- Company: Established UK-based specialist in aerospace, defence, and medical sectors.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, leadership role, and opportunity for significant impact.
- Other info: Confidential appointment with potential for substantial career advancement.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and shape the future of engineering excellence.
- Qualifications: Senior operational leadership experience in manufacturing or engineering required.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 150000 £ per year.
We are working on a confidential basis with a well-established UK-based specialist engineering and manufacturing business. The company has over 50 years of heritage and supplies high-precision components and advanced engineered systems into aerospace, defence, space, medical and industrial markets. Operating within highly regulated, mission-critical environments, the business is recognised for its engineering quality, technical credibility and long-term customer relationships.
Following a multi-year operational transformation programme, the organisation has significantly strengthened quality, delivery, governance and profitability, and is now entering a phase of accelerated and profitable growth, targeting sustained c.25% year-on-year expansion.
The Opportunity
We are seeking a hands-on, commercially minded Chief Operating Officer (COO) to play a central role in scaling operations, embedding world-class operational discipline and enabling growth. Reporting to the Managing Director and working closely with the Board, the COO will act as the integrating force across production, operations, people, safety, capital investment and growth enablement.
Key Responsibilities
- Operational & Production Leadership
- Overall accountability for day-to-day operational performance across manufacturing and engineering.
- Senior escalation point for production and operations management.
- Ownership of monthly production targets aligned to budget and customer commitments.
- Driving throughput, efficiency, quality and delivery predictability.
- Leadership of major capital expenditure projects from business case through delivery.
- Ownership of a rolling multi-year capital investment plan aligned to growth ambitions.
- Ensuring infrastructure, systems and capacity are fit for scale.
- Overall leadership of organisational effectiveness and HR governance.
- Reduction of operational friction through clarity of accountability and cadence.
- Ownership of Health & Safety strategy, compliance and culture across the business.
- Identification and pursuit of grant and funding opportunities aligned to manufacturing and R&D.
- Oversight of grant delivery, reporting and compliance in conjunction with finance leadership.
- Supporting commercial teams by ensuring operational feasibility of growth plans.
- Translating revenue ambition into executable operational capacity.
Candidate Profile
- Senior operational leadership experience within manufacturing, engineering or industrial environments.
- Strong production and operations credibility, ideally within regulated or high-reliability sectors.
- Proven experience leading capital-intensive scale-up businesses (sub-£50m revenue preferred).
- Demonstrable track record of supporting or delivering c.25% year-on-year growth.
- Hands-on leadership style with the ability to operate from shop floor to board level.
- Experience with grants, funding programmes or R&D initiatives is advantageous.
Next Steps
This appointment is being managed on a strictly confidential basis. Further details will be shared following an initial discussion.
Chief Operating Officer (COO) - Confidential Appointment in York employer: Evolution Consulting Partners
Contact Detail:
Evolution Consulting Partners Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Operating Officer (COO) - Confidential Appointment in York
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts, attend relevant events, and engage on platforms like LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that COO role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company inside out. Understand their operational challenges and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. We want you to walk in there ready to impress with your knowledge and insights!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your hands-on leadership style during discussions. Share specific examples of how you've driven growth and improved operational efficiency in past roles. We believe that demonstrating your impact is key to standing out as a candidate.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we’re always looking for top talent to help us scale operations and drive success.
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Operating Officer (COO) - Confidential Appointment in York
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of COO. Highlight your experience in operational leadership, especially in manufacturing or engineering. We want to see how your background aligns with our mission of scaling operations and driving growth.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've led teams, managed capital projects, or driven growth in previous positions. Keep it engaging and relevant!
Showcase Your Achievements: Don't just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use metrics to demonstrate how you've contributed to growth, efficiency, or quality improvements in past roles. We love numbers that tell a story of success!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you get all the updates. Plus, it shows us you're keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Evolution Consulting Partners
✨Know the Company Inside Out
Before your interview, dive deep into the company's history, values, and recent achievements. Understanding their journey in high-precision engineering and manufacturing will help you connect your experience to their needs, especially in regulated environments.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a COO, your leadership style is crucial. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've led teams through operational challenges and capital projects. Highlight your hands-on approach and how it has driven growth and efficiency in previous roles.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in real-world scenarios. Think about past experiences where you had to drive throughput or manage production targets. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers effectively.
✨Align with Their Growth Ambitions
The company is targeting significant growth, so be ready to discuss how you can contribute to this goal. Share your insights on scaling operations and embedding operational discipline, and demonstrate your understanding of how to translate revenue ambitions into executable plans.