Chief Operations Officer
The chief operations officer (COO) of a business occupies the second tier below the CEO and/or chairperson, which means that they have incredible influence and responsibility in the company, especially if it’s a large one. It’s an executive position, serving on the board, but the specific responsibilities vary from business to business and sector to sector.
There’s usually just one chief operations officer in a production and operations company, but they will usually be on a par with other executives such as finance, marketing, innovation or specific disciplines that are unique to the company. What makes the COO different is that their role will be to oversee the actual workings of the business, from sourcing resources to manufacture, design and delivery. Needless to say, they’ll have a dedicated team and possibly several layers of management between themselves and the shop floor, but as far as the core operations of the business are concerned, the buck stops with the COO.
In short, their responsibility is to ensure the decisions made by the CEO or chair (or other body depending on the structure of the company) are implemented within the boundaries set by the other executives.
The skills required
Chief operations officer jobs are usually filled by people who are already at the top of their game in the businesses they currently work in, and will be senior persons with highly impressive CVs and track records of delivering successfully wherever they have worked. If you’ve overseen the implementation of complex operations systems that have delivered on corporate goals for your previous employers, there will always be COO jobs with your name on them.
At this level, you’ll also be well connected in your industry and in the wider business world, as you’ll often need to draw on those connections to get things done. You’ll be excellent at communicating the often complicated plans and aims of the company to your subordinates, who may themselves occupy executive positions, while remaining on the ball and able to deeply monitor progress to steer projects in the right direction.
Chief Operations Officer Jobs in Doncaster
Doncaster has a colourful history that dates back at least as far as the Romans, when it was served by an important road between London and the North. Nowadays the South Yorkshire town remains a well connected place, with the M18 an A1(M) passing the town and excellent rail connections to Sheffield an Leeds to the west and the docks of Hull to the east. The canals helped bring wealth to the town, particularly when vast coal seams were discovered nearby and the town boomed. There is also Robin Hood International Airport on the doorstep, although it is probably more famous for a mischievous tweet than for its global aviation repute!
Although coal mining has largely ended in the area, it is one of the few places that still has active mines. During the Industrial Revolution the place was a hotbed of industry, with steel manufacture, glassmaking, railway engineering and chemical manufacturing going on. In the 1930s tractors started being made in the town by International Harvester. This tradition survived right up until 2007 after several buy-outs and mergers.
Anyone looking for Chief Operations Officer work in Doncaster should be greeted by a seam of opportunities as rich as the coal’s. As well as the airport and road links, it is home to Doncaster International Railport, a vast railway complex that distributes goods nationally and ultimately internationally. Many companies have recognised this sweet spot and set up distribution centres and warehousing facilities in the area. Names include B&Q, DFS, Next, Faberge, Tesco, IKEA, Exel and Amazon.
Popular locations
COO jobs are needed now
Companies are always looking for executive level talent to come in and manage radical changes or oversee efficiency drives. These are quite often on an interim or short-term contractual basis, but other times you’ll be steering a company for many years. If you’re an experienced COO and are used to working at this level of pressure and responsibility, please register your details with us by clicking the link below.
If you’re running a business and are looking for a talented chief operations office, please call Cast UK today on 0333 121 3345 and speak to one of our consultants. We only deal with professional level talent, and we’re sure to be able to bring you a superb shortlist.
Contact us