Would your business benefit from a fractional COO?
Employing a fractional Chief Operating Officer (COO), especially in the manufacturing or logistics sectors, offers substantial benefits. A fractional COO brings specialized experience in streamlining production processes, enhancing supply chain efficiency, and implementing cutting-edge technologies. The flexibility of a fractional COO allows for a tailored approach to meet specific business needs, providing a cost-effective way to drive operational excellence and competitive advantage in a dynamic and demanding business environment.
Fractional Chief Operations Officer
A fractional COO is a professional hired on a part-time or contract basis to provide strategic operational management. Their responsibilities involve overseeing the day-to-day operations of a company and ensuring that the business operations are efficient and optimised. The fractional aspect of the role allows businesses that may not require or have the resources to employ a full-time COO to still benefit from this level of strategic expertise. This can be particularly beneficial for start-ups and small to medium-sized enterprises.
Fractional COOs deal with various aspects of the company including planning, production and technological operations. Their focus is on implementing strategies for growth, overseeing projects, making executive decisions and leading the execution of business plans.
The COO, whether fractional or full-time, often holds the second most senior executive title in a company, and they typically report to the CEO. In the absence of the CEO, the COO takes charge and is expected to make crucial company decisions. Specific fractional COO job descriptions and positions in the hierarchy vary across verticals, however.
The skills required
As a fractional chief operations officer, you need to have exceptional leadership skills and a deep understanding of business operations. You must be able to make strategic decisions, manage teams and oversee the execution of business plans. Your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities should be top-notch, as there will be complex situations needing innovative solutions.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills are essential, as you will work with different teams, deal with clients and report to the CEO. Financial acumen is also important, as it’s part of your role to manage budgets, reduce costs and contribute to the overall financial health of the company.
If you’re offering your fractional COO services, a profound understanding of the business sector that the company operates in is vital. It helps you to formulate strategies that align with industry trends and keep the company competitive.
Fractional Chief Operations Officer Jobs in Gloucester
Situated in the county town of Gloucestershire, Gloucester is located near the Welsh border and around 30 miles north-east of Bristol.
It's also situated on the River Severn, which eventually flows to the Bristol Channel and this, combined with an extensive canal network that was built in the 19th century, led the city to become an important place for international trade, particularly with Spain, France and Portugal.
Gloucester has long been an important site for banking and the financial industry, while manufacturing has also played a big part in the local economy. In fact, there are still factories and research and development facilities within the area for companies like BTR Permali, which makes water tanks and automotive mouldings, and Du Pont.
What's more, Gloucester is also known as a hub for the aerospace industry. Smiths Aerospace and Messier-Bugatti-Dowty are located here - the latter makes landing gear, braking systems and wheels.
Over the last 30 years, Gloucester has undergone significant regeneration, and it is now an ideal place for those seeking Fractional Chief Operations Officer opportunities.
Many of the old warehouses in the port area having been converted or replaced with more modern structures. In addition, there are now a number of business parks - such as Ashville Industrial Estate and Waterwells Business Park - that house a number of IT and media companies, SMEs and businesses based in the service sector.
Popular locations
Fractional COO recruitment at Cast UK
Have you got years of COO experience under your belt? Whether you’re semi-retired, between contracts or have thrown yourself into interim executive work for the duration, why not register with us and tell us what you can do. There are businesses looking for your skills right now.
On the other side of the coin, you might be running a business and need some solid operational management but don’t want to take on a permanent, full-time executive. That’s why you should call Cast UK on 0333 121 3345 or contact us here – there’s a good chance we’ve know just the person you’re looking for in our curated talent pools.
Contact us