Chief Operating Officer (COO)
AIS is looking for a Chief Operating Officer (COO) to join our Executive Leadership Team and play a central role in shaping the next phase of our growth.
We’re a listed, global manufacturing business serving the energy, defence, and automotive sectors. Increasingly, our work is supporting renewable energy and other sustainable industries, reflecting both our ambition and the future of our markets. With a record order book and consistent growth, we’re well positioned. Now we need a COO who can build on this momentum, someone who can bring clarity, pace, and discipline to our operations while supporting continued expansion across international markets.
This is a hands-on leadership role with real breadth and influence. You’ll be responsible for strengthening and evolving our global operations, ensuring we can scale efficiently while maintaining the quality and performance our customers expect. You’ll work closely with the CEO and wider leadership team to turn strategy into execution, driving performance across our sites and building an operating model that supports both organic growth and future acquisitions.
What you will do as our Chief Operating Officer?
* Lead operational improvement and transformation across all global sites
* Strengthen performance across engineering, procurement, supply chain, manufacturing, and project delivery
* Work closely with regional General Managers to deliver both local priorities and consistent group standards
* Support the integration of new businesses, balancing alignment with respect for what already works
* Drive improvements in efficiency, capacity, and margin without compromising quality or safety
* Build an operating model that is scalable, resilient, and fit for a growing international business
* Establish clear performance metrics and use data to inform decisions and track progress
* Partner with the CEO and Executive Team to deliver key strategic initiatives
What are we looking for in our Chief Operating Officer?
* Significant senior leadership experience within manufacturing, ideally in complex or project-based environments
* Proven track record of delivering change and improving operational performance
* Experience working in a global, multi-site organisation
* A pragmatic, hands-on approach and a visible leadership style
* The ability to engage and influence at every level, from senior stakeholders to frontline teams
* Experience integrating businesses, systems, and processes in a growing organisation
* The flexibility to travel regularly across our global sites
This role can be based at either our Gloucester or Skelmersdale location.