Group Chief Operating Officer

MAIN PURPOSE

To drive group operations of the company and lead UK and international Operations and oversee US Operations and Thailand Operations to ensure effective running of the functions. Covering supply chain, properties & facilities management, health & safety and IT. Including any special Operations projects in the Group.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF JOB

· Overall responsibility for supply chain, properties and facilities management, health & safety, company insurance matters, fleet (company cars) and IT, thereby ensuring that the day-to-day operations of these functional areas are being properly delivered and, where appropriate, managed effectively by the relevant direct report. Essentially having group responsibilities for all areas other than Accounts & Finance, HR, Buying, Design, Marketing, Sales and Legal. Some of these departments may be passed in due course.

· Ensuring that longer term initiatives for operational improvements in each of the above functional areas are being implemented successfully.

· Provide leadership and management of an operations team in an established company, ensuring that the team has optimum resources.

· Lead various company initiatives such as implementation of manufacturing and warehouse facilities abroad (potentially another direct report) and implementation of cost-effective warehouse capabilities.

· Being the first point of contact for Thailand factory management and US Operations, providing all aspects of support.

· Work on the setup and development of new worldwide factories, warehouses.

· Develop and deliver business plans, budgets and forecasts for new projects, communicating all critical stages to the board.

· Coordinate global supply chain by liaising with internal departments and external providers for at least warehousing support, on-time deliveries, haulage arrangements, freight forwarding negotiation, shipping schedule management, and so forth.

· Instigate and implement initiatives to improve efficiency of operations and seek cost reduction measures, where possible.

· Making sure deadlines are kept without delays.

· Making sure all reports presented are accurate.

· International travel will be required.

· Regular reporting on all key metrics for each function.

· Any other reasonable tasks, as required by the business.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

• Exceptional numeric proficiency.
• Ability to produce detailed and accurate reporting, including Excel reports.
• Significant experience at a senior management/board level. Experience as a CEO or COO would be a great advantage.
• Experience of supply chain logistics in retail.
• Experience in FMCG.
• Manufacturing background would be an advantage.
• Proven leadership and management.
• Aptitude in decision-making and problem-solving.
• Demonstrable competency in strategic planning and business development.
• Tenacious - able to negotiate, influence and work collaboratively when ideas are challenges without antagonising.
• Experience of working in a dynamic, hands on, fast-paced, commercial environment with constantly changing challenges.
• Proven track record of managing a demanding workload and of delivering robust and commercial solutions to large scale challenges.
• Be a team leader with a can-do approach and a willingness to embrace new challenges with an open mind.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, highly articulate and persuasive.
• Ability to think strategically and creatively, identify and resolve issues and risks in the area of supply chain.
• Highly developed organisational skills; ability to prioritise and detail-oriented.
• Experience of working globally with cultural sensitivity, particularly with the Far East.