Chief Operating Officer

Company Description GC is an innovative advanced materials engineering company, driven by an ethos to create life-changing products. As a world leader in advanced and nanomaterials research, development and design, we work with manufacturers to solve key technical challenges and enhance product performance with breakthrough materials.Role Description The Chief Operating Officer (COO) will provide strategic and operational leadership across the business, ensuring that GC’s nanomaterials technologies are effectively developed, commercialised, and scaled. Our new COO will own GC’s operating model end to end – manufacturing, supply chain, quality, programme delivery and organisational scaling – working as a peer and strategic partner to our CTO and attending the Board. It’s a role for an enterprise-level leader who can set direction at Board level and stay close enough to the detail to deliver.This role is based in Sedgefield, North East England with a blend of international travel, on-site presence and some work-from-home flexibility. Day-to-day responsibilities include overseeing operational processes, supporting business planning, managing performance metrics, and coordinating cross-functional teams to deliver on commercial and technical objectives.QualificationsSignificant senior operations leadership (COO, VP Operations or similar), ideally in advanced materials, chemicals, composites or deep-tech manufacturingA track record of scaling manufacturing from pilot to commercial volumeExperience managing international supply chains and partnersStrong financial and commercial acumen: budgeting, capital planning, margin and KPIsProven leadership abilities, with experience guiding teams, building collaborative cultures, and managing change.Credibility at Board level with investors, customers and partnersA degree in engineering, materials science, chemistry or a related discipline