Chief Operating Officer - Processed Foods

Location: Russia

Reporting to: Chief Executive Officer

Experience: 15+ years

About the Organisation:

Our client is a leading processed food conglomerate with a significant presence across food manufacturing and value-added food products. The Group operates a large-scale, integrated business with multiple manufacturing facilities, a sizeable workforce and a strong customer base across domestic and international markets.

The organisation is focused on strengthening its operating platform, driving profitable growth and building scalable capabilities across its businesses.

Role Overview:

The Chief Operating Officer will work closely with the CEO to lead the Group's overall operations and translate the organisation's strategic priorities into business outcomes. The role will have broad responsibility across operations, manufacturing, supply chain, financial performance, quality, compliance and people leadership.

The incumbent will be expected to drive operational excellence, strengthen governance and processes, and build a high-performance operating culture across the organisation.

Key Responsibilities:

- Partner with the CEO to develop and execute overall business and operational strategy.

- Lead end-to-end manufacturing and operational performance, driving efficiency, productivity and cost optimisation.

- Oversee supply chain, procurement, logistics and resource planning.

- Drive P&L performance, budgeting, cost management and optimal resource allocation.

- Establish robust operating processes, KPIs and governance mechanisms.

- Ensure adherence to quality, food safety, regulatory and compliance standards.

- Identify operational risks and implement effective mitigation and business continuity measures.

- Lead large-scale capital projects and strategic initiatives.

- Drive cross-functional collaboration and execution across business and functional teams.

- Build leadership capability and foster a high-performance, accountable culture.

- Drive continuous improvement through technology, automation and operational excellence.

- Manage relationships with key stakeholders, partners and business associates.

Candidate Profile:

- 15+ years of relevant experience in processed foods, FMCG, food manufacturing or allied industries.

- Experience managing large-scale, multi-site manufacturing and operations.

- Strong expertise across manufacturing, supply chain, procurement, quality and commercial operations.

- Proven experience in P&L management, cost optimisation and operational transformation.

- Exposure to large capital projects and business expansion initiatives.

- Strategic thinker with a hands-on, execution-oriented approach.

- Strong experience leading and developing large, diverse teams.

- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.

- International or emerging-market experience would be an advantage.

- MBA or equivalent postgraduate qualification preferred.

Ideal Leadership Attributes:

The ideal candidate will be a strategic yet hands-on operator, comfortable working in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment. The individual should demonstrate strong commercial orientation, operational rigour, ownership mindset and the ability to build scalable systems while leading through complexity and change.