At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and scale operations in a high-growth engineering business focused on energy transition.
- Company: Had-Fab, a leading structural engineering firm in the UK’s energy sector.
- Benefits: Opportunity to shape the future of a transformative business with strong growth potential.
- Other info: Exciting growth phase with opportunities for professional development and leadership.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and make a real impact in the renewable energy landscape.
- Qualifications: Proven COO experience in industrial manufacturing and strong analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 150000 € per year.
Had-Fab is a successful high-growth engineering business at the heart of the UK’s energy transition. Driven by accelerating demand across the UK’s energy infrastructure sector, including major grid reinforcement programmes and the transition to renewable and greener energy. Against this backdrop, we’re looking for a dynamic, high-impact Chief Operating Officer to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the business. This is a rare opportunity to join a business at a genuinely transformational point in its evolution.
As COO, you’ll have the resources and mandate to lead and scale our operational engine, spanning Engineering, Production and Manufacturing, through to Dispatch & Logistics. Your leadership will directly influence our growth, efficiency, and ability to deliver world-class engineering solutions.
Had Fab is widely recognised as one of the UK’s leading structural engineering and fabrication specialists in the rapidly growing Power Transmission and Distribution Sector. We also serve the Rail, Renewables, Civils & Infrastructure, Telecommunications and the Commercial & Industrial sectors. Established in 1993, we have built a strong reputation for delivering technically complex, large-scale projects from early-stage design and consultation through to manufacture, installation, and project delivery.
We are an agile and responsive business that is strongly customer-focused, with a consultative and collaborative approach to solving real problems for our clients. This is a high-impact, C-suite role where you will lead our Heads of Function and their teams, bringing structure, pace and discipline to a growing organisation, ensuring our operational capability continues to stay ahead of accelerating demand.
We are looking for candidates with:
- Proven experience as a COO or Senior Operations Director in an industrial manufacturing environment, ideally steel, fabrication, engineering or heavy manufacturing
- Analytical with ability to plan capacity and measure and optimise productivity and efficiency
- Experience of operating at the board level and with multiple stakeholders
- A track record of supporting scalable growth
- Strong commercial and financial acumen
- A keen interest in and experience of leading continuous improvement initiatives
- High credibility across the shopfloor and executive team alike
- A data-led and performance-focused approach
This role represents a fantastic opportunity to join an established business at a period of exciting growth and to really contribute to its success and future sustainability.
To apply, please send your CV and covering letter to Ailsa Sutherland, Director at FWB.
Chief Operating Officer in Reading employer: Had Fab Limited
Had-Fab is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead at a pivotal moment in the UK's energy transition. With a strong focus on employee growth and a collaborative work culture, we empower our team to drive innovation and efficiency in engineering solutions. Our commitment to sustainability and customer-centricity, combined with the chance to influence large-scale projects, makes Had-Fab a rewarding place to advance your career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Operating Officer in Reading
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts and let them know you're on the lookout for a COO role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on opportunities that aren't advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company thoroughly. Understand their operations, challenges, and recent projects. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in shaping their future.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership style! Be ready to discuss how you've led teams through change and driven operational excellence in previous roles. Use specific examples to illustrate your impact.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Operating Officer in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the COO role. Highlight your experience in industrial manufacturing and any leadership roles you've held. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for Had-Fab. Share specific examples of your achievements and how they relate to our mission in the energy transition.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:Since we’re looking for someone who can optimise productivity and efficiency, make sure to include examples of how you've used data to drive decisions in your previous roles. We love a data-driven approach!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. We’re excited to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Had Fab Limited
✨Know the Company Inside Out
Before your interview, dive deep into Had-Fab's history, values, and recent projects. Understanding their role in the energy transition and their reputation in the engineering sector will help you tailor your responses and show genuine interest.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a COO, your leadership approach is crucial. Be ready to discuss your experience leading teams, driving operational efficiency, and implementing continuous improvement initiatives. Use specific examples that highlight your impact on growth and productivity.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Scenarios
Expect questions about managing multiple stakeholders and board-level interactions. Think of scenarios where you've successfully navigated complex relationships and how you ensured alignment across different functions within an organisation.
✨Demonstrate Data-Driven Decision Making
Highlight your analytical skills by discussing how you've used data to optimise operations and measure success. Be prepared to share examples of how you've implemented data-led strategies that resulted in tangible improvements in efficiency and productivity.
