Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Placements24; Gqeberha; Hybrid; ZAR 1,800,000 - 3,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Home office stipend

Equity options

Performance bonuses

Comprehensive health insurance

Professional development budgets

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Chief Operating Officer to drive strategic operations for a fast-scaling startup. The role is fully remote with impact across the organization and support for Port Elizabeth operations in Eastern Cape.

You will lead technology, customer support, supply chain, HR, and legal compliance to optimize efficiency and profitability. The ideal candidate has 15+ years in operations, including 7+ years in a C-level role in a high-growth tech company, with strong P&L,

Qualifications

• 15+ years in operations management with at least 7 years in a C-level role in a high-growth tech company.
• Proven track record of scaling operations in startup or high-growth environments.
• Deep understanding of P&L management, financial planning, and budgeting.
• Strong leadership, communication, and remote-team management experience.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all operational aspects including technology infra, customer support, supply chain, HR, and legal compliance.
• Develop and execute comprehensive operational strategy aligned with long-term goals.
• Drive efficiency and scalability through best practices and new technologies.
• Manage and mentor a global team of operational leaders.
• Establish KPIs across all departments and monitor performance.
• Manage budgets, forecasts, and resource allocation to meet financial objectives.
• Lead strategic initiatives including market expansion and partnerships.
• Ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
• Champion remote-first culture and distributed collaboration.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or Engineering

MBA

Strategic leadership

P&L management

Budgeting

Remote team leadership

SaaS/e-commerce operations

High-growth startup experience

Tools

Executive leadership tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a groundbreaking startup poised for significant scale in the (SaaS/E-commerce) industry, is actively seeking an experienced and visionary Chief Operating Officer (COO) . This is a fully remote, executive leadership position with broad oversight of the company's operational functions, aiming to drive efficiency, scalability, and profitability. The COO will play a crucial role in shaping the company's operational strategy, building robust infrastructure, and ensuring the smooth execution of day-to-day business activities. While the role is remote, the operational impact will be felt across the organization, including support for our presence in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape . This is a unique opportunity to join a forward-thinking company at a pivotal stage of growth and make a lasting impact on its trajectory.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee all operational aspects of the company, including technology infrastructure, customer support, supply chain, human resources, and legal compliance.
• Develop and execute a comprehensive operational strategy that aligns with the company's long-term vision and financial goals.
• Drive operational efficiency and scalability by implementing best practices, process improvements, and cutting-edge technologies.
• Manage and mentor a global team of operational leaders, fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, and innovation.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) across all operational departments to ensure performance targets are met or exceeded.
• Manage operational budgets, forecasts, and resource allocation to ensure financial objectives are achieved.
• Lead strategic initiatives, including market expansion, new product launches, and key partnerships.
• Ensure the company adheres to all legal and regulatory requirements in its operating jurisdictions.
• Champion a remote-first culture, ensuring seamless collaboration and communication across distributed teams.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Engineering, or a related field; MBA or equivalent advanced degree is strongly preferred.
• 15+ years of progressive experience in operations management, with at least 7 years in a C-level executive role (COO, VP of Operations) within a high-growth technology company.
• Proven track record of successfully scaling operations in a startup or high-growth environment.
• Deep understanding of P&L management, financial planning, and budgeting.
• Exceptional strategic thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
• Strong leadership, team-building, and communication skills, with experience managing remote teams effectively.
• Experience with SaaS platforms, e-commerce operations, or related technology sectors.
• Demonstrated ability to build and manage high-performing teams.
• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, dynamic, and fully remote work environment.

Benefits

• Our client offers an exceptional compensation package for this executive role, including a highly competitive annual salary of R , along with significant equity options and performance-based bonuses.
• As a fully remote position, we provide a generous home office stipend, comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance, and a flexible paid time off policy.
• Professional development budgets, executive coaching, and opportunities to attend leading industry conferences are also provided.
• This is a unique chance to shape the operational future of a rapidly growing company from anywhere, impacting our presence and services, including those relevant to Port Elizabeth .