Chief Operating Officer

Parkinson | Lee Executive Search; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading executive search firm is looking for a Chief Operating Officer for a high-growth global company targeting £100m turnout. This pivotal board-level role demands extensive operational, supply chain, and commercial experience, alongside a strong focus on customer service and leadership across complex international operations.

Benefits

Performance bonus

Comprehensive benefits

International travel opportunities

Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience in sales-led, product-based businesses.
• Experience with complex international supply chains.
• Proven commercial acumen in contract negotiation and pricing strategy.

Responsibilities

• Oversee operational functions and execute growth plans.
• Lead global supply chain operations and foster cross-functional relationships.
• Drive service excellence with focus on customer satisfaction.

Skills

Commercial awareness

Operational leadership

Negotiation

Supply chain management

Customer service focus

Job description

Parkinson Lee Executive Search are the retained partner in the appointment of Chief Operating Officer for a high growth, global manufacturing and distribution business targeting £100m turnover in the next few years.

With operations across Europe, North America and Asia, the business is a market leader in its sector and has built a strong reputation for service, customer care, and supply chain excellence. It now seeks a proven, commercially minded operational leader to join its senior team and help drive the next stage of its growth journey.

The Opportunity:

This is a pivotal, board-level appointment, offering wide-ranging responsibility across operations, supply chain, logistics, customer delivery, and commercial execution. The successful candidate will act as a key interface between commercial, sales, and operational performance.

This role requires an experienced professional who has operated at Director level in a £50–£100m turnover international business and understands how to scale, optimise, and lead with autonomy.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee all operational functions day to day and deliver the opportunity for growth over the 3-year plan
• Develop and deliver a group-wide stock holding strategy that balances working capital, growth, and customer service
• Lead global supply chain operations, including ocean freight and 3PL partners across Europe and North America
• Build strong cross-functional relationships, particularly with sales and commercial leadership
• Take ownership of strategic supplier relationships
• Drive delivery excellence — treating service and customer satisfaction as non-negotiable
• Lead pricing discussions, commercial contract negotiations, and long-term planning
• Influence across the senior team with a balance of commercial insight and operational control

The Candidate:

We are seeking a confident and experienced operator with deep commercial awareness and a proven ability to lead complex, international supply chains. You will be a trusted advisor and business partner with the founder Managing Director and will take ownership of all strategic operational relationships.

Key requirements:

• Senior leadership experience in a sales-led, product-based business with international supply chain complexity
• Strong understanding of warehousing, logistics, purchasing, delivery, and customer service functions
• Proven commercial acumen including contract negotiation, pricing, and stock strategy
• Experience managing multi-country operations and supplier relationships in the far east
• Gravitas, credibility, and a customer-first mindset
• Background in a £50–100m turnover business, ideally with international sites and strong year-on-year growth
• On-site presence essential — this is a highly visible and relationship-driven role

The Offering:

• A career-defining opportunity to shape the next phase of growth for a dynamic business
• High levels of autonomy, ownership, and executive influence
• A strong, experienced team with clear scope to evolve the structure over time
• Competitive six-figure base salary, performance bonus, and comprehensive benefits
• International travel to key operations and suppliers (minimum once per quarter)

Location: South Yorkshire & Derbyshire (On-site, Monday–Friday)

Package: Six-figure base salary + Bonus + Benefits

International Travel: Quarterly Global Travel including Europe, US, and Far East