Chief Operating Officer

Title: Chief Operating Officer
The Company
Our client is a rapidly up scaling operations They value practical problem-solving, bold innovation, and a multidisciplinary team ethos.
Director of Operations Role Summary:
As the Chief Operating Officer, you will be the strategic and operational right-hand to the CEO/Founder and lead the execution of engineering projects central to the company’s growth. You will translate the founder’s technical vision into robust, structured, scalable operational processes, ensuring projects are delivered on time, on budget, and to the highest standards.
Key Responsibilities:
* Culture & Values: Embody and reinforce a proactive, solutions-oriented team culture rooted in accountability, rapid learning, and innovation.
* Team Leadership: Build, manage, and mentor cross-functional teams including engineers, technicians, and external collaborators. Communicate and roll out internal strategic change effectively.
* Operational Leadership: Plan, coordinate, and oversee all day-to-day manufacturing, laboratory, and engineering operations supporting the CNT development and scale-up technologies.
* Project Implementation: Work closely with the CEO/Founder to define, resource, and deliver technical projects, developing clear plans, setting milestones, allocating resources, and managing execution from concept through to commissioning.
* Process Optimisation: Drive continuous improvement in R&D, pilot, and production processes, ensuring efficient workflows and high standards for safety, quality, and reliability.
* Resource & Budget Oversight: Manage operational budgets, procurement, and resource allocation—prioritising critical-path engineering work. Implement the business strategy within budget constraints.
* Stakeholder Coordination: Liaise with internal stakeholders (R&D, production, commercial), partners, and suppliers to ensure alignment and accountability.
* Reporting & Documentation: Develop and implement systems to track project progress and produce operational and engineering reports for our investors and leadership.
* Risk & Compliance Management: Ensure regulatory, safety, and quality compliance across operations. Ensure the company adheres to all applicable laws and regulations. With the Executive team's support, identify and mitigate potential risks to the company.
* Legal Compliance: Working closely with the Legal Counsel, CFO and CEO, ensure the company adheres to all applicable laws and regulations. With the Executive team's support, identify and mitigate potential risks to the company.
Ideal Candidate:
Demonstrated ability to build, manage, and motivate teams, and to keep all team members aligned with the strategic priorities.
Proven track record in an operational leadership role—COO, Operations Director, Plant/Manufacturing Manager, or similar—preferably in advanced materials, chemicals, or manufacturing scale-up. Strong engineering or technical background (chemical, mechanical, materials, or related field) with experience with translating technical/scientific direction into practical execution in a fast-growing environment - an advanced degree or chartered status is a plus.
Excellent problem-solving, project management, and communication skills. Solid understanding of laboratory, pilot, or full-scale production (ideally with familiarity in hazardous substances, high-temperature and vacuum systems). Commitment to safety, sustainability, and high-performance standards.
On Offer:
* Competitive compensation package based on skills and experience.
* Employee option scheme.
* The opportunity to make a tangible impact in a fast-growth, high-innovation company.
* Close collaboration with an expert founding team in a dynamic, supportive environment.
* Statutory pension scheme.
* 25 days of holiday + bank holidays.
If you're ready to take on a challenging role that will push your limits and accelerate your professional growth, we want to hear from you. We encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible, as applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The vacancy will be closed once we hire the best candidate.
We encourage you to join a fast-growing tech company in a globally relevant, high-visibility, strategic industry.
Our Referral Incentive:
Due to the high amount of interest that we receive for each of our roles unfortunately we cannot respond to each application individually, therefore if you do not hear back from us you have not been shortlisted for this role. Please continue to check our website for any other roles which may be of interest.
We offer a £500 referral if you introduce someone we place - see our website for details
We regret that this client is not prepared to sponsor work permit or work permit transfer applications. Candidates must be able to prove their eligibility to work in the UK