Chief Operations Officer

SUMMARY:
A highly respected and rapidly evolving industrial manufacturing business, within the industrial filters, technical textiles, and engineered fabrics sector, is seeking an exceptional Chief Operating Officer to partner directly with ownership in scaling operations, strengthening profitability, and driving the next phase of business growth.

POSITION INFO:
This is not a corporate maintenance role. This is an owner-operations leadership position requiring a commercially sharp, technically strong, and operationally elite executive who understands how to scale manufacturing businesses from the inside out.

The Opportunity:
The business has built a strong reputation within the industrial and technical manufacturing environment and now requires a COO capable of:

• Scaling operational capability;
• Improving manufacturing efficiencies;
• Strengthening procurement and supply chain performance;
• Driving commercial growth;
• Optimising plant operations;
• Building operational structure and accountability; and
• Supporting expansion into larger industrial and international markets.

• Engineering credibility,
• Manufacturing leadership,
• Commercial acumen,
• Operational execution, and
• Strategic growth capability.

• Scale manufacturing operations and operational infrastructure
• Drive operational excellence across plant, procurement, logistics, and production
• Improve productivity, throughput, OEE, and cost efficiency
• Lead Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives
• Strengthen technical and operational systems across the business
• Optimise procurement, inventory, and supply chain performance
• Build high-performance operational teams and leadership structures
• Support strategic growth, customer expansion, and operational scalability
• Drive accountability, process discipline, and operational visibility
• Partner with ownership on long-term operational and commercial strategy

• A strong Engineering or Technical qualification, such as:
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Industrial Engineering
  • Production Engineering
  • Manufacturing Engineering
  • Or a related technical discipline
• Extensive experience within:
  • Industrial manufacturing
  • Technical textiles
  • Industrial fabrics
  • Filtration products
  • Heavy industrial environments
  • Engineered product manufacturing
• Proven experience scaling operations within a manufacturing business
• Strong commercial and operational leadership capability
• Deep understanding of plant operations, production environments, and manufacturing systems
• Experience driving operational efficiencies and profitability improvements

• Thinks like an owner, not an employee
• Is highly operational and execution focused
• Understands engineering and manufacturing deeply
• Can lead people, systems, and operations simultaneously
• Is commercially sharp and operationally disciplined
• Thrives in demanding, high-accountability environments
• Has the confidence to make difficult operational decisions
• Builds structure, accountability, and growth

• Direct partnership with ownership
• Significant influence over business direction and operational strategy
• Opportunity to scale and shape a growing industrial manufacturing business
• High-impact leadership role with operational autonomy
• Exposure to technical manufacturing, industrial operations, and commercial growth initiatives
• Ability to leave a genuine operational legacy within the business

• Purely corporate executives removed from operations;
• Leaders without strong technical or engineering understanding;
• Individuals lacking manufacturing depth; or
• Passive management styles.