Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Are you a visionary operational leader capable of driving execution across multi-brand, high-growth engineering and supply chains? We are seeking a high-calibre Chief Operating Officer (COO) to lead our operational teams across two market-leading, supply-only brands: RAAFT (specialising in roof terrace projects) and Kinley (focused on planter projects and edging stock).As COO, you will hold ultimate accountability for leading, aligning, and inspiring our Project Management, Manufacturing, CAD, Warehouse, Compliance, and Procurement teams. You will bridge the gap between strategy and execution, ensuring our complex supply chain operates with clinical precision.

ABOUT KINLEY:

Kinley is an evolving and fast-growing family company. We design and manufacture high-quality landscaping products for the public realm, landscape edging, street furniture, planters and surfacing. Kinley works with landscape architects and specifiers to put well-detailed, well-documented products into schemes across the UK.

Core Responsibilities:

1. Project delivery and OTIF

Full accountability for OTIF delivery performance across RAAFT roof terrace projects, Kinley planter projects and Kinley edging orders, with OTIF measured and reported separately for each

• Own the handover from Sales to Operations, ensuring projects are set up accurately and the transition is smooth
• Set and publish the lead times Sales may quote, based on current factory, CAD and supplier capacity, and flag early when the order book exceeds capacity
• Coordinate Manufacturing, CAD, Compliance and Procurement so roof terrace and planter projects are sequenced to meet promised dates
• Act as the escalation point for decisive project decisions and complex delivery challenges, providing technical construction support to the delivery team
• Resolve reactive day-to-day delivery issues as they arise

1. Project margin and cost control

• Full accountability for project GP, keeping every project within target margin throughout its life cycle
• Ensure variations, client-driven changes and delays are captured, priced and agreed before work proceeds, so that margin is protected from uncosted change
• Report operational and project spend to Directors, flagging low-GP projects with the reasons for the shortfall
• Actively reduce COGS through process, specification, outsourcing and purchasing improvements
• Maintain accurate cost prices and lead times in the system so that estimators are quoting from correct costs and achievable dates
• Own and manage the Operations department budget (headcount, overtime, agency, consumables and plant)

1. Manufacturing, design and quality

• Oversee the manufacturing of bespoke products to production standards and quality requirements
• Own the drawing approval and design sign-off process, ensuring CAD output is accurate and rework caused by drawing errors is eliminated
• Own quality management across the operation, including post-completion defects and warranty claims, their remediation cost and root-cause analysis
• Support the teams with technical construction challenges

1. Compliance and safety

• Ensure products meet all applicable technical and regulatory requirements (including fire performance, structural and wind-loading requirements, product marking and warranty obligations), with compliance evidence maintained for every project
• Ensure health and safety regulations are met across the factory and warehouse, and inform Directors of any non-compliance

1. Procurement and supply chain

• Lead the transition of the supply base from transactional customer-supplier relationships to a partnership model: a smaller number of strategic suppliers with agreed service levels, shared forecasts, open-book pricing where appropriate, and joint improvement plans
• Develop outsourced manufacturing and fulfilment capacity as the primary route to scaling output, so that growth is not constrained by in-house capacity or capital
• Define and keep under review which products and processes are made in-house and which are outsourced, on the basis of cost, lead time, quality and risk
• Manage supplier and subcontractor performance (fabrication, coating, galvanising and components) on cost, quality and lead time, through regular structured reviews
• Oversee purchasing of materials and manufactured components
• Build resilience in the supply chain, including dual sourcing for critical inputs and management of tariff and export exposure in support of the US growth plan

1. Warehouse, stock and logistics

• Maintain edging stock levels that support OTIF on stock orders, with purchases planned so that they do not adversely affect cash flow
• Ensure stock accuracy through regular counts, and manage slow-moving and obsolete stock
• Oversee despatch, haulage and delivery scheduling, minimising damage in transit and late deliveries

1. Customer service

• Ensure every live project receives regular (typically weekly) customer updates
• Ensure key accounts receive the best possible service and have a clear escalation route
• Own the handling and resolution of customer complaints within Operations
• Represent Operations in customer and external meetings where required

1. Team leadership

• Build, mentor and manage a high-performing Project Management and Operations team
• Carry out recruitment, probation and quarterly reviews for Team Leaders
• Maintain a skills matrix and training plan across Manufacturing, CAD and Project Management, with succession in place for each Team Leader role
• Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration and innovation across the department

1. Systems, reporting and improvement

• Ensure processes and systems are followed, kept current, and that each team's KPIs are met
• Keep the departmental invoicing forecast accurate
• Provide Finance with accurate WIP, stock and project stage-of-completion information at each month end
• Identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies across delivery and operations, and implement solutions
• Use technology and automation to improve processes and systems
• Report to the weekly operations meeting on behalf of the department, and prepare reports for Directors when requested

Requirements and Attributes

• A background in technical construction, with proven project management skills and experience of project management systems is essential
• Significant managerial experience is required, including recruitment and performance management
• Excellent customer service skills are essential
• Prince2 (or equivalent) qualification would be an advantage
• Should be an excellent communicator – both with outside and inside personnel
• An attitude for accuracy and detail is essential in this role
• Flexible in task priorities, with the ability to perform without close supervision

If you are interested in this role please submit your CV and we will be in touch.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: £90,000.00-£120,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Additional leave
• Company events
• Enhanced paternity leave
• On-site parking
• Referral programme
• Sick pay

Application question(s):

• Do you have a Prince2 or equivelent qualification?

Experience:

• Leadership & People management: 4 years (required)
• Technical construction & proven PM skills: 4 years (required)

Licence/Certification:

• Driving licence and transport, due to location of offices (required)

Work Location: In person