Role Overview
Own day-to-day enterprise execution across the clientâs 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
⢠Bachelorâs degree in Business, Engineering, Economics, Finance, or a related discipline; MBA or relevant postgraduate qualification is an advantage.
⢠10â15+ 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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