[Hiring] Interim COO @Actual Talent

Role Description

We are supporting a confidential executive search for an experienced Chief Operating Officer to lead the operational transformation and performance of an international manufacturing organisation operating within the automotive components industry. This is a strategic leadership opportunity for a hands-on operations executive with the ambition and capability to drive operational excellence, strengthen industrial performance and deliver sustainable business growth across a complex, multi-site environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead multi-site manufacturing operations, ensuring strong performance across safety, quality, delivery, cost, people and cash.
• Drive operational transformation through Lean Manufacturing, OEE improvement, productivity initiatives and cost optimisation.
• Strengthen plant performance, accountability and standardised operating systems across the manufacturing network.
• Develop and execute the operations strategy, including capacity planning, footprint optimisation and industrial investment decisions.
• Ensure effective S&OP, production planning and alignment between customer demand and manufacturing capabilities.
• Strengthen industrialisation, programme launches and serial production performance.
• Drive continuous improvement in plant profitability, operational efficiency and working capital.
• Build, develop and align an international team of plant and operations leaders.
• Partner with the CEO and senior leadership team to deliver strategic business objectives.

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading multi-site manufacturing operations in automotive components or a comparable industrial environment.
• Proven responsibility for P&L, operational transformation and performance improvement.
• International experience managing manufacturing operations across different markets and production environments.
• Strong technical understanding of industrial manufacturing processes, ideally within rubber, elastomers, extrusion, fluid systems or related technologies.
• A demonstrated track record of improving operational performance and leading underperforming sites through transformation.
• Experience with automotive production, industrialisation, customer requirements and quality standards.
• Strong financial and commercial acumen, including cost management, profitability, CAPEX and working capital.
• A hands-on, pragmatic and accountable leadership style.
• The ability to influence, challenge and align stakeholders across a complex organisation.
• Fluency in English and willingness to travel internationally.

Requirements

• We are looking for a senior operations executive with significant experience leading multi-site manufacturing operations in automotive components or a comparable industrial environment.
• Proven responsibility for P&L, operational transformation and performance improvement.
• International experience managing manufacturing operations across different markets and production environments.
• Strong technical understanding of industrial manufacturing processes, ideally within rubber, elastomers, extrusion, fluid systems or related technologies.
• A demonstrated track record of improving operational performance and leading underperforming sites through transformation.
• Experience with automotive production, industrialisation, customer requirements and quality standards.
• Strong financial and commercial acumen, including cost management, profitability, CAPEX and working capital.
• A hands-on, pragmatic and accountable leadership style.
• The ability to influence, challenge and align stakeholders across a complex organisation.
• Fluency in English and willingness to travel internationally.

Benefits

• A strategic leadership position within an international industrial organisation.
• The opportunity to influence operational performance and long-term business transformation.
• Direct exposure to senior leadership and key business decisions.
• A challenging, high-impact environment where operational leadership can create measurable value.