Chief Operating Officer

VVater; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading water technology company is seeking a Chief Operating Officer (COO) to oversee operations and scale manufacturing. The role requires extensive experience in operations leadership and a strong background in process optimization and project management. The ideal candidate will be responsible for driving efficiencies and leading the operational strategy while fostering a high-performance culture. This position is located in Austin, Texas.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive operations leadership experience.
• 5+ years managing large-scale manufacturing or multi-site operations.
• Proven ability to build high-performance teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day operations and drive scaling of manufacturing.
• Oversee project delivery from award to commissioning.
• Implement ISO-aligned QMS practices and ensure compliance.

Skills

Operations leadership

Process optimization

Financial acumen

Team leadership

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Business, or related field

MBA or advanced degree preferred

Tools

Lean Six Sigma

ERP/MES systems

PLC/SCADA

Job description

Overview

VVater is America’s Next Water Company, delivering the future of purification through its award-winning Farady Reactor (CES Best of Innovation 2025, World Future Award 2025), proprietary ALTEP (Advanced Low Tension Electroporation Process), Advanced Dissolved Air Flotation, and Micro & Nano Bubble technologies. VVater’s electric-field breakthroughs eliminate PFAS, microplastics, microorganisms, and other contaminants with record retention times, without toxic byproducts or costly consumables. With over 4.3B gallons treated and validation from global leaders, VVater is scaling into municipal drinking water and wastewater, DPR/IPR, onsite reuse for data centers, commercial buildings, and resorts, residential purification, and consumer health water, delivering a 60% smaller footprint, 40% CapEx savings, 80% OpEx savings, and 40% less energy use.

Job Description:

VVater, a leader in innovative water and wastewater treatment solutions, seeks a dynamic, execution-driven Chief Operating Officer (COO) to lead day-to-day operations and drive the scaling of our manufacturing and field deployment. Reporting to the CEO, the COO will shape and execute the operational strategy across manufacturing, automation, supply chain, project delivery, service operations, quality, safety, and administrative functions. The ideal candidate combines hands-on leadership, strategic program management, and a passion for operational excellence to thrive in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Operate the company day-to-day: establish the weekly/monthly/quarterly operating cadence (OKRs, KPI dashboards, business reviews), drive accountability across functions, and ensure commitments on safety, quality, delivery, cost, and cash.
• Lead end-to-end operations: capacity planning, site selection and build-out, factory start-up/scale-up, line design and standard work, OEE/TPM, Lean/Six Sigma, and continuous improvement.
• Drive industrial automation and digital ops (PLC/SCADA, robotics, MES/IIoT) integrated with ERP/MRP, QMS, and CMMS for real-time visibility and traceability.
• Oversee project delivery from award to commissioning (FAT/SAT) and handover to service; own forecasting, budgets, risk registers, change control, and customer communications.
• Own service/O&M programs: preventive/predictive maintenance, spares/kitting, SLAs, technician training, and field quality—closing the loop to product and process updates.
• Partner with the CFO on operating plans, budgets, and cash; manage OpEx/CapEx, inventory turns, and cost-reduction roadmaps; present performance and investment cases to the CEO/board.
• Lead supply chain and S&OP: strategic sourcing, contracts, vendor development and scorecards, logistics/fulfillment, and risk mitigation across critical parts and equipment.
• Ensure quality and compliance: implement ISO-aligned QMS practices, manage nonconformance and corrective actions, and uphold applicable safety and environmental requirements.
• Coordinate G&A enablers: partner with HR on workforce planning and org design; with IT/Security on systems reliability and data protection; with Legal on contracts, risk, and compliance, maintaining policy, SOP, and audit readiness.
• Build, mentor, and scale high-performance teams and leaders; model a high-urgency, roll-up-your-sleeves culture that prizes ownership and bias to action.
• Perform all other duties as instructed by the company.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Business, or a related field; advanced degree (e.g., MBA, MS) preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive operations leadership, including 5+ years managing large-scale manufacturing or multi-site operations, with a track record of successfully launching and scaling facilities or programs.
• Expertise in process optimization methodologies (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma, TPM) and program/project management, from strategy development to execution and commissioning.
• Proven experience integrating automation, robotics, or digital operations (e.g., ERP, MES, or similar systems) to drive efficiency and scalability.
• Familiarity with water/wastewater, process industries, or engineered product sectors, with strong knowledge of commissioning, field deployment, or service operations.
• Strong financial acumen, with demonstrated success in improving throughput, cost efficiency, quality, delivery, and cash flow; exceptional leadership and communication skills to thrive in a fast-paced, growth-driven environment.
• Ability to build and lead diverse, high-performing teams, fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and collaboration.
• Assessment tests are part of the recruitment process; willingness to participate is required for consideration.