Role Overview
Own day-to-day enterprise execution across the clients business units and shared services by translating strategy into priorities rhythms and accountable delivery. The COO drives operational performance (growth service margin cash risk) through disciplined operating mechanisms strong cross-functional coordination and continuous improvement. Success is measured by reliable execution against company OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) improved service levels profitable growth strong cost and cash discipline and scalable operating systems.
Key Responsibilities
Enterprise Operating Rhythm and Performance Management
Design and run the enterprise operating cadence (weekly performance reviews monthly business reviews quarterly planning) with clear actions and accountability.
Translate CEO/Board priorities into OKRs and execution roadmaps across business units; ensure alignment and remove duplication.
Track performance against core metrics (revenue gross margin operating cost cash conversion service levels customer experience) and drive corrective actions.
Own the end-to-end issue escalation system: define escalation thresholds decision forums and rapid resolution pathways.
Business Unit Execution Oversight
Partner with BU heads to deliver commercial and operational targets across channels (e-commerce retail wholesale distribution and manufacturing).
Ensure each BU maintains a clear operating plan with demand/supply assumptions people plan capex priorities and execution risks.
Drive cross-BU standardisation where it reduces cost and complexity (processes KPIs controls) while protecting BU-specific requirements.
Operational Excellence Process and Systems Scale
Sponsor critical process design and governance for core work streams (Order-to-Cash Procure-to-Pay Plan-to-Deliver Record-to-Report New Product Introduction).
Drive continuous improvement using structured problem-solving (root cause analysis control remediation waste removal) across operations and shared services.
Ensure core systems (ERP BI dashboards workflow approvals) support scalable operations; prioritise tech and process enhancements with clear ROI.
Risk Compliance and Internal Controls (Execution View)
Ensure operational risks are identified prioritised and mitigated; drive closure of audit findings and control exceptions.
Enforce decision discipline around high-risk areas (inventory integrity cash controls credit pricing exceptions supplier governance).
Leadership and Culture
Build an execution culture of ownership collaboration and speed-with-control; coach BU leaders and managers in performance discipline.
Support CEO in talent decisions: leadership development succession planning performance calibration and organisational effectiveness initiatives.
Requirements
Education and experience
Bachelors degree in Business Engineering Economics Finance or a related discipline; MBA or relevant postgraduate qualification is an advantage.
1015 years of progressive leadership experience including multi-site operations and/or general management in FMCG retail distribution or manufacturing.
Proven track record running cross-functional execution at scale (multiple business lines regions or channels).
Experience building operating cadence performance management systems and scalable process governance.
Technical skills and competences
Strong operating model and performance management capability (OKRs business reviews KPI design accountability systems).
Strong financial literacy: P&L understanding margin drivers operating cost discipline working capital/cash conversion levers.
Operational excellence mindset: process design control design awareness root cause analysis continuous improvement methods.
Strong stakeholder leadership across commercial supply chain finance and technology; able to align diverse teams to shared outcomes.
Comfortable with data-driven management: dashboards forecasting assumptions and prioritisation based on evidence.
Behavioural competencies
High ownership and bias for action; drives closure without creating chaos.
Strong judgment under ambiguity; escalates early with options and trade-offs.
Clear communicator; sets direction aligns teams and holds standards consistently.
High integrity and strong control awareness; protects the business while enabling speed.
Resilient composed and collaborative leadership style.
Required Skills:
Education and experience Bachelors degree in Business Engineering Economics Finance or a related discipline; MBA or relevant postgraduate qualification is an advantage. 1015 years of progressive leadership experience including multi-site operations and/or general management in FMCG retail distribution or manufacturing. Proven track record running cross-functional execution at scale (multiple business lines regions or channels). Experience building operating cadence performance management systems and scalable process governance. Technical skills and competences Strong operating model and performance management capability (OKRs business reviews KPI design accountability systems). Strong financial literacy: P&L understanding margin drivers operating cost discipline working capital/cash conversion levers. Operational excellence mindset: process design control design awareness root cause analysis continuous improvement methods. Strong stakeholder leadership across commercial supply chain finance and technology; able to align diverse teams to shared outcomes. Comfortable with data-driven management: dashboards forecasting assumptions and prioritisation based on evidence. Behavioural competencies High ownership and bias for action; drives closure without creating chaos. Strong judgment under ambiguity; escalates early with options and trade-offs. Clear communicator; sets direction aligns teams and holds standards consistently. High integrity and strong control awareness; protects the business while enabling speed. Resilient composed and collaborative leadership style.
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