Chief Operating Officer

Tom Samuel Recruitment Ltd; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency is seeking a Chief Operating Officer (COO) for a UK-based private equity-backed group. The ideal candidate will lead operational functions across multiple brands and drive efficiency in procurement and service delivery. Experience in a product-led, growth-oriented environment is essential. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the company's future and contribute to its expansion goals.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Leadership role in a dynamic sector

Opportunities for professional growth

Qualifications

• Senior operations leader with experience in a product and servicing business.
• Proven track record in procurement and supply chain management.
• Experience in a growth-oriented, private equity or entrepreneurial environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead and optimise all operational areas across a multi-site group.
• Drive efficiency through procurement, logistics, and service delivery.
• Build and mentor a high-performing operations team.

Skills

Operational Leadership

Procurement & Supply Chain Management

Health & Safety Compliance

Process Improvement

Team Mentorship

Strategic Execution

Job description

Chief Operating Officer (COO) – Growth-Focused PE-Backed Group

Location: Buckinghamshire (with regular UK-wide travel)

Sector: Product & Service-led | Equipment | Multi-site Operations

Company: Private Equity Backed (Group turnover ~£50m)

Are you a hands-on, commercially minded operator with a passion for driving performance, scaling services, and leading transformation? An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Chief Operating Officer (COO) to join a fast-growing, private equity-backed group operating in the hospitality and catering equipment sector.

This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a product-led environment with a strong servicing and after-sales component — and who enjoys both shaping long-term strategy and rolling up their sleeves in daily execution.

The Opportunity

This is a pivotal leadership role, reporting directly to the Group CEO, with end-to-end responsibility for:

• Operations
• Procurement & Supply Chain
• Field Services & Spares
• Health & Safety
• Process Improvement & KPI Frameworks

You'll lead operational functions across four distinct businesses, working closely with teams on the ground to build scalable processes and deliver exceptional customer service. With ambitious growth targets over the next 4 years, your mission will be to create a high-performance, integrated operational backbone that can support rapid expansion.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and optimise all operational areas across a multi-site, multi-brand group
• Drive efficiency through procurement, logistics, service delivery, and spares
• Champion Health & Safety culture and compliance
• Improve field service capability and after-sales responsiveness
• Build and mentor a high-performing operations team
• Collaborate on integration, shared services, and M&A strategy

What We’re Looking For

• Senior operations leader with experience in a product + servicing business
• Proven track record across procurement, supply chain, field services & optimisation
• Comfortable leading from the front, being on-site, and driving execution
• Experience in a growth-oriented, private equity or entrepreneurial environment
• Strong commercial acumen and data-driven mindset
• Natural collaborator who leads with clarity, accountability, and energy

Why Apply?

This is a rare chance to join a high-potential group at an inflection point — backed by an established private equity firm and led by a focused leadership team. You’ll play a key role in shaping the future of the business, unlocking synergies across brands, and helping scale a £35m platform to the next level.

Ready to take the next step?

If you're a pragmatic, action-oriented leader with the experience and drive to build something exceptional — we’d love to hear from you. Apply now or reach out in confidence to explore further.