At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operational functions and drive efficiency in a dynamic manufacturing environment.
- Company: Established manufacturing business with a strong heritage and focus on quality.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, attractive bonus structure, pension scheme, and generous holiday allowance.
- Other info: Hybrid working model after initial onboarding, with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Join a transformative phase and make a real impact on operational excellence.
- Qualifications: Significant senior operational leadership experience in manufacturing or product-led environments.
The predicted salary is between 75000 - 75000 £ per year.
Sewell Wallis is exclusively partnering with a manufacturing business based in Alfreton with a long-standing heritage in quality, seeking a Chief Operations Officer. With manufacturing at the heart of its identity, operational excellence is critical to its long-term success. The company is entering an important phase of transformation focused on improving efficiency, strengthening operational discipline, modernising infrastructure, and building a scalable manufacturing operation capable of supporting future growth.
This is not a traditional operational oversight role. It requires a highly engaged, hands-on operational leader who can bring structure, pace, accountability, and proactive problem-solving across the business.
What will you be doing?
- Lead and integrate all operational functions across the business
- Drive operational performance, efficiency, and execution across manufacturing and production operations
- Build a scalable operational structure capable of supporting future business growth
- Ensure operational priorities align with commercial demand, customer expectations, and business objectives
- Create a culture of accountability, pace, ownership, and continuous improvement across operational teams
- Take ownership of operational KPIs, workflow performance, and delivery standards
- Support the business in becoming increasingly production-ready and operationally scalable
- Improve planning accuracy, workflow visibility, and production coordination
- Align operational planning with sales forecasts, customer demand, production capacity, workforce availability and material availability
- Work closely with Commercial and Finance teams to improve forecasting discipline and cross-functional planning
- Lead a wider cultural shift towards proactive quality accountability across manufacturing operations, ensuring managers take ownership of individual and departmental quality performance
- Work closely with Production, Technical, and Quality teams to strengthen manufacturing standards, improve consistency, and embed preventative quality controls
- Support and empower the Quality team to act as strategic operational partners, driving improvement projects, coaching operational teams, and influencing long-term behavioural change across manufacturing
- Embed stronger quality reporting, accountability, and performance visibility across operational functions
- Coach, develop, and support Heads of Department across operations
- Support disciplined operational investment and resource allocation
- Provide leadership across IT, systems, site, and facilities functions
- Ensure capital expenditure decisions are commercially justified and operationally effective
- Balance short-term operational priorities with long-term manufacturing sustainability
- Improve machinery utilisation and operational asset management
- Lead regular operational reviews focused on: production status, delivery performance, operational risks, workforce planning and quality performance
- Ensure robust KPI tracking, reporting, and operational governance disciplines are embedded throughout the business
What skills are we looking for?
- Significant senior operational leadership experience within manufacturing or product-led environments
- Proven track record of improving manufacturing performance, leading operational transformation, driving operational efficiency, improving planning and workflow management, and building scalable operational capability
- Strong experience across production, manufacturing, operational planning, operational leadership, and infrastructure and systems
- Experience operating within complex, fast-paced manufacturing environments
- Previous experience leading operational teams through change and performance improvement
- Experience working closely with commercial, finance, technical, and supply chain functions
- SME, owner-led, or vertically integrated manufacturing experience highly desirable
What's on offer?
- c. £75,000 + realistic and attractive bonus structure to achieve an OTE of £100k+
- Pension salary sacrifice scheme
- Initially office-based (first 3-6 months) to embed into the business
- Hybrid working thereafter (minimum 2 days per week in the office)
- 36 days holiday (including public holidays)
Chief Operating Officer employer: Sewell Wallis
Sewell Wallis offers an exceptional opportunity for a Chief Operating Officer within a manufacturing business in Alfreton, renowned for its commitment to quality and operational excellence. The company fosters a dynamic work culture that prioritises accountability, continuous improvement, and employee development, providing a robust framework for personal and professional growth. With a competitive salary, attractive bonus structure, and generous holiday allowance, this role not only promises meaningful engagement in a transformative phase but also supports a healthy work-life balance through hybrid working arrangements.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Operating Officer
✨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 help you land 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 can address them. We want you to walk in with ideas that show you’re ready to lead their transformation!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your hands-on leadership style during interviews. Share specific examples of how you’ve driven operational efficiency and built scalable structures in previous roles. We need to see that you can bring structure and pace to the table!
✨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 love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged right from the start.
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Operating Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Chief Operating Officer. Highlight your experience in operational leadership, especially in manufacturing, and showcase any transformation projects you've led. We want to see how your skills align with our focus on efficiency and scalability.
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 hands-on role. Share specific examples of how you've driven operational performance and improved processes in previous positions. We love a good story that shows your proactive problem-solving skills!
Showcase Your Leadership Style:In your application, let us know how you lead teams and foster a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. We’re looking for someone who can inspire and coach others, so share any relevant experiences that demonstrate your leadership approach and success in managing change.
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 about your application status. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sewell Wallis
✨Know the Company Inside Out
Before your interview, dive deep into the company's history, values, and recent developments. Understanding their long-standing heritage in quality and their current transformation phase will help you align your answers with their goals.
✨Showcase Your Hands-On Leadership Style
This role requires a highly engaged operational leader. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've led teams through change and improved operational efficiency. Highlight your proactive problem-solving skills and how you've built accountability in past roles.
✨Align Your Experience with Their Needs
Make sure to connect your previous experiences directly to the job description. Talk about your track record in improving manufacturing performance and how you've successfully managed operational planning and workflow management in fast-paced environments.
✨Prepare for Cultural Fit Questions
The company is looking for someone who can create a culture of ownership and continuous improvement. Think about how you've fostered such an environment in the past and be prepared to discuss your approach to coaching and developing teams.
