Our client is looking for a Chief Operating Officer (COO) in a construction engineering company with its own manufacturing setup is responsible for overseeing end-to-end operations-including both project execution and plant manufacturing-while driving cost control and profitability.

KRA

- Lead all day-to-day manufacturing and project operations, ensuring alignment with company goals and client commitments.

- Develop and implement operational strategies, lean manufacturing practices, and best-in-class project execution methodologies to maximize efficiency and scalability.

- Manage supply chain, procurement, and vendor relationships to secure quality input materials at the best cost, supporting reliable delivery on projects and production targets.

- Direct plant optimization, preventive maintenance, safety initiatives, and product quality standards to ensure timely, budgeted, and high-standard manufacturing output.

- Implement and monitor KPIs, data-driven dashboards, and regular performance reviews to identify process improvements and ensure accountability at all levels.

Financial and Cost Leadership

- Oversee all operational budgeting, forecasting, and expense management, collaborating closely with finance to ensure tight cost controls and margin improvement.

- Drive initiatives in cost reduction, waste minimization, and resource optimization in both manufacturing and project execution cycles.

- Lead capital investment decisions for technology upgrades, capacity expansion, or process automation, balancing short-term costs and long-term benefits.

- Conduct regular reviews of project cost-to-completion and plant operating costs, taking corrective action to maintain or exceed profitability targets.

Strategic and Leadership Skills

- Translate the CEO's vision into actionable operational plans, ensuring cross-functional team collaboration across manufacturing, project sites, HR, supply chain, and finance.

- Foster a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, safety, and operational excellence at every level of the organization.

- Guide and develop senior manufacturing, engineering, and project management staff, building a strong leadership pipeline.

- Ensure all statutory, legal, safety, and quality compliance requirements are met across company facilities and projects.

Preferred Qualifications and Experience

- Minimum 15+ years in progressive operational leadership roles, ideally in steel construction, or related manufacturing and project-driven environments.

- Proven track record managing both factory operations and multi-site project delivery, with experience in cost management, budgeting, and profitability analysis.

- Expertise with manufacturing ERP systems, lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or similar operational excellence frameworks.

- Bachelor's in engineering or industrial management; MBA or equivalent business/leadership qualification preferred.

This role is mission-critical for driving the company's profitable growth, operational resilience, and competitive positioning in the manufacturing and project markets.