Chief Operating Officer (COO) – Global Operations

About the role

We are seeking an experienced and entrepreneurial executive to join the global leadership team as Chief Operating Officer (COO). Based in Switzerland, the COO will have full responsibility for worldwide operations, supply chain performance, manufacturing excellence, and operational transformation across multiple international production sites.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and further develop international manufacturing and operations across sites in Switzerland, Taiwan, and China.
• Ensure operational excellence in quality, delivery reliability, productivity, and cost competitiveness.
• Drive continuous‑improvement initiatives across the entire value chain, including production, assembly, logistics, and supply‑chain management.
• Establish and monitor operational KPIs to guarantee performance transparency and sustainable improvement.
• Oversee global sourcing, procurement, supplier management, and logistics activities.
• Strengthen supplier quality, delivery performance, and long‑term strategic partnerships.
• Develop resilient international supply‑chain structures with a focus on efficiency, scalability, and risk management.
• Implement cost‑optimization initiatives while maintaining high quality and innovation standards.
• Contribute to strategic development together with the CEO and executive leadership team.
• Lead operational transformation and change‑management initiatives in an international environment.
• Foster a performance‑oriented, collaborative, and customer‑focused culture across all operational functions.
• Collaborate closely with Sales, Product Management, Engineering, Quality, and Finance.

Required profile

• University degree in Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, Business Administration or a related discipline.
• Minimum 10 years of senior leadership experience in industrial operations within machine tools, mechanical engineering, industrial equipment or a comparable high‑tech manufacturing environment.
• Proven track record managing complex international manufacturing organisations.

Required skills