Chief Operating Officer

Chief Operating Officer (COO)Location: Germany / Europe (with international travel)Industry: Testing, Inspection & Certification (TIC) / Laboratory TestingPosition: Group Executive LeadershipThe OpportunityWe are partnering with an established European laboratory testing organisation to appoint a Chief Operating Officer (COO).Operating an extensive network of laboratories across Europe, the business provides specialist analytical and testing services across the environmental, food, agricultural and related sectors.The successful candidate will be responsible for driving operational excellence, improving profitability and supporting the Group's continued international growth.This is a senior executive appointment offering significant influence over the strategic and operational direction of an established European organisation.Key ResponsibilitiesProvide strategic and operational leadership across a multi-site European laboratory network.Drive financial performance, focusing on revenue growth, EBITDA improvement, profitability and cost optimisation.Develop and implement operational strategies to improve efficiency, productivity and scalability.Oversee laboratory performance, capacity planning, resource allocation and service delivery.Champion operational transformation, automation, digitalisation and continuous improvement initiatives.Ensure consistently high standards of quality, regulatory compliance and customer satisfaction.Lead and develop senior operational leaders, country management teams and laboratory directors.Support international expansion, strategic investments and potential M&A integration activities.Collaborate with executive and commercial leadership to identify growth opportunities and strengthen the Group's market position.Candidate RequirementsExtensive senior leadership experience, ideally as a COO, Managing Director, Divisional Director or equivalent.Proven track record of managing complex, multi-site and international operations.Strong background within laboratory testing, TIC or related scientific services industries.Significant P&L responsibility, with demonstrable success in driving revenue growth, profitability and operational improvements.Experience delivering business transformation, process optimisation and organisational development.Strong understanding of laboratory operations, ideally within environmental, food, agricultural or analytical testing.Experience managing and developing senior leadership teams across multiple countries.Commercially astute, strategically minded and comfortable operating in a fast-paced, international environment.Experience with M&A, laboratory automation, LIMS and ISO 17025 would be advantageous.The Ideal ProfileWe are seeking a commercially focused and results-driven executive who combines strategic leadership with hands-on operational expertise.The successful candidate will have a proven ability to improve financial performance, lead organisational change and develop scalable operations across complex international businesses.An entrepreneurial mindset, strong leadership capabilities and a track record of delivering sustainable growth will be essential.