Chief Operations Officer

AUSTIN MATLEY; Poole; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global supply chain firm is seeking a Chief Operations Officer to lead and optimise all aspects of supply chain, procurement, and logistics. This role requires strategic leadership, with a focus on managing supplier risk, driving cost savings, and ensuring compliance with ESG standards. The ideal candidate will have at least 10 years of experience in senior supply chain roles, demonstrating strong negotiation skills and financial acumen. A collaborative working environment with competitive salary and opportunities for career growth is offered.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Performance incentives

Opportunities for professional development

Influence on growth and sustainability roadmap

Qualifications

• 10+ years in senior supply chain leadership roles, including procurement, operations, and supplier management.
• Experience managing both owned/operated warehouses and third-party logistics providers.
• Demonstrated success in cost reduction and operational efficiency initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead and optimise the organisation’s supply chain, procurement, logistics and operational functions.
• Oversee procurement specialists handling sourcing, negotiations, and supplier contracting.
• Manage supply chain coordinators overseeing logistics, inventory optimisation, and global supply chain integration.
• Lead customer service teams to maintain excellent service levels and timely issue resolution.

Skills

Strategic leadership and execution

Supplier and geopolitical risk management

Strong negotiation capability

Financial acumen and cost-saving delivery

ESG knowledge (e.g., Sedex or equivalent)

Experience managing international supply chains

Excellent stakeholder collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, or related field

Master’s degree (preferred)

Tools

Supply chain technologies and analytics tools

Job description

Chief Operations Officer – Operations & Supply Chain

You will be responsible for leading and optimising all aspects of the organisation’s supply chain, procurement, logistics and operational functions. This role requires a strategic thinker with hands‑on expertise in supplier risk management, regional sourcing, ESG compliance, cost reduction, and global supply chain optimisation. Reporting to the Co‑CEO, the COO will play a pivotal role in supporting strategic objectives and ensuring sustainable growth.

Geographical Reach:

The organisation operates globally, with headquarters in the UK and operational hubs across Europe, the Americas, and the APAC region. The COO will oversee supply chain activity in these regions, ensuring alignment, efficiency, and collaboration across all locations. The role includes frequent interaction with regional teams and suppliers to streamline processes, standardise practices, and drive unified supply chain management.

The COO will lead and manage key operational functions, ensuring cohesive performance across supply chain and customer‑facing teams.

Procurement

• Oversee procurement specialists handling sourcing, negotiations, and supplier contracting.
• Ensure supplier diversification and compliance with internal terms and ESG requirements.

Supply Chain

• Manage supply chain coordinators overseeing logistics, inventory optimisation, and global supply chain integration.
• Drive improvements in lead times, cost management, and delivery reliability.

Warehousing & 3PL

• Oversee owned and partner‑run warehouse operations and 3PL relationships.
• Implement cost‑saving initiatives and manage new warehouse setup where appropriate.

Customer Services

• Lead customer service teams to maintain excellent service levels and timely issue resolution.
• Collaborate with supply chain and production to ensure smooth order fulfilment.

The COO will mentor and develop these teams, ensuring alignment with the organisation’s strategic goals.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Supply Chain Management

• Develop and implement strategies to reduce supplier risk, ensuring secondary/tertiary suppliers for key components.
• Mitigate geopolitical risks through diversified sourcing.
• Lead audits of top‑tier suppliers to ensure quality, reliability, and alignment with organisational values.
• Drive supplier negotiations to transition to organisation‑controlled terms and conditions.

Cost Optimisation & Operational Efficiency

• Deliver measurable reductions in the total cost of goods.
• Negotiate and implement call‑off agreements to improve delivery performance and working capital.
• Aim for extended payment terms with key suppliers, reducing upfront payments.
• Benchmark logistics and 3PL providers for cost and performance, supported by cost cards.
• Optimise stock levels, stock turn, and minimise slow‑moving and obsolete stock.

ESG & Compliance Leadership

• Support the ESG programme by ensuring compliance and driving sustainable supply chain practices.
• Onboard key suppliers onto recognised ESG compliance platforms.

Global Supply Chain Integration

• Standardise operations across global locations to ensure consistent service and efficient seasonal planning.
• Establish and maintain SLAs and a Supplier Relationship Management framework with regular performance reviews.

Key Skills & Attributes

• Strategic leadership and execution
• Supplier and geopolitical risk management
• Strong negotiation capability
• Financial acumen and cost‑saving delivery
• ESG knowledge (e.g., Sedex or equivalent)
• Experience managing international supply chains across multiple regions
• Excellent stakeholder collaboration and relationship management

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, or related field (Master’s preferred)
• 10+ years in senior supply chain leadership roles, including procurement, operations, and supplier management
• Experience managing both owned/operated warehouses and third‑party logistics providers
• Proficiency with supply chain technologies and analytics tools
• Demonstrated success in cost reduction and operational efficiency initiatives
• Experience leading ESG initiatives

What We Offer

• A collaborative and innovative working environment
• Competitive salary and performance incentives
• Opportunities for professional development and career growth
• The chance to significantly influence the organisation’s growth and sustainability roadmap