Interim COO

About the Company

We are partnering with a fast-growing, entrepreneurially led business based in Lower Hutt that has scaled at an extraordinary rate over the past 12 months. The business imports raw materials which are processed and manufactured on-site before being exported to customers globally, operating in an environment subject to strict compliance requirements.

The founders have built something impressive in a short space of time and now need to invest in getting the supply chain and operations function fit for purpose, fast. This person will be coming in to do just that.

About The Role

This is a hands-on role with impressive scope. You will quickly assess immediate priorities and build the structures, processes and disciplines from the ground up. This is about fixing current operational flaws, and implementing future structure – personally driving the work from the front line, not simply advising and directing.

The initial focus will be inventory management and accuracy, before extending across purchasing, demand planning, warehouse execution, document control, and compliance frameworks. The business is also relocating its warehouse in the coming months, and you will take a lead role in ensuring the new site is set up correctly from day one.

Key Responsibilities Include

• Setting a basic foundation and executing a clear, prioritised improvement plan.
• Building robust inventory management processes that deliver accuracy, visibility and control.
• Establishing purchasing, demand planning and warehouse execution processes that are fit for purpose and scalable.
• Developing SOPs, document control, and compliance frameworks.
• Leading the warehouse relocation, ensuring the new site is operationally sound and compliant from the outset.
• Coaching junior team members across planning, purchasing and inventory, building a capable team for the long term.

About You

You are a senior supply chain/operations professional who thrives when given the mandate to build from the foundations up. You are not someone who needs a perfect environment – you are the person who creates one, cleaning up existing issues as you go. You combine sharp operational instincts with the credibility to bring a leadership team on the journey with you.

You Will Need To Bring

• A strong track record of building and improving supply chain functions in physical-goods businesses, with a sleeves up approach.
• Deep working knowledge across inventory management, purchasing, planning and warehouse operations.
• Experience in a regulated environment, with confidence across compliance, storage, distribution and documentation requirements.
• The drive and decisiveness to assess quickly and act with confidence – you will need to hit the ground running.
• Genuine people development skills, with the ability to build capability in junior team members.
• Experience managing a warehouse relocation or new site setup would be a distinct advantage.

If you are a senior operator who relishes the opportunity to build something meaningful and leave a lasting impact, we would love to hear from you.

For more information or to reach out for a confidential discussion, please contact Joe Francis on 021 197 9121 or ***email_hidden***