Chief Operations Officer

SUMMARY:
Our client is seeking a dynamic and experienced Chief Operations Officer (COO) to join their executive team.

POSITION INFO:
Area/Location: Diep River, Cape Town

Job Overview:

A strong, skilled, and talented Chief Operations Officer is required to act as the right-hand person to the CEO. This position demands strong leadership skills and the ability to approach business challenges with a creative and strategic perspective. The COO will lead a team of high-performing professionals to ensure efficiency, productivity, and effectiveness across the organization.
Extensive, hands-on experience in a manufacturing environment within the Textile or Apparel Manufacturing industry is essential, preferably gained through progressive roles leading to an executive position. This experience fosters a unique combination of business and management expertise, along with a deep understanding of industry practices, policies, and procedures.

Key Deliverables:

• Collaborate with the CEO in setting and driving organizational vision, operations strategy, and hiring levels.
• Translate strategy into actionable steps for growth by implementing organization-wide goal setting, performance management, and annual operations planning.
• Oversee company operations and employee productivity, fostering an inclusive culture that enables team members to thrive and meet organizational goals.
• Direct daily operations of the business, including coordination with human resources, legal, sales, marketing, manufacturing, finance, IT, and other departments.
• Manage daily business operations, working closely with Executives and Senior Management to support day-to-day activities.
• Provide support and guidance to senior executives and employees, including advising on promotions to ensure effective recruiting, onboarding, professional development, performance management, and retention.
• Ensure compliance with national and local business regulations and take appropriate action when necessary.
• Report to the CEO regarding daily operations, aligning business operations strategy with company goals and objectives.
• Act as the heir apparent to the CEO and stand in for the CEO during absences or other engagements.
• Develop and implement policies for daily operations, communicating policy changes to department supervisors.
• Align operations with company policies and goals, including those developed collaboratively with the CEO and other executives.

• Honours or MBA in Business Management.
• 10-15 years of proven, hands-on manufacturing experience in an executive role within the Textile or Apparel Manufacturing sector.
• Demonstrated ability to build strong, long-lasting relationships with professionals at all organizational levels.
• Aptitude for identifying new areas for business growth and development.
• Ability to establish and maintain partnerships and provide thought leadership.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• High level of computer literacy.
• Strong business acumen with advanced analytical skills.
• Exceptional organizational and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to work under pressure to achieve targets and meet deadlines.
• Strong negotiation skills with the ability to monitor and evaluate new opportunities within the industry.
• Proven track record in recruiting and managing a high-functioning team.