COO - FMCG

The role of a Chief Operating Officer (COO) in an FMCG (Fast-Moving Consumer Goods) company typically involves overseeing the company's day-to-day operations and ensuring that business activities are aligned with strategic goals. The COO is responsible for driving operational efficiency and growth, which are crucial in the fast-paced FMCG industry. Here’s a breakdown of key job scopes for a COO in FMCG:

1. Operational Strategy & Execution

• Develop and implement operational strategies to improve efficiency, scalability, and profitability across the company.
• Align operational goals with the company’s long-term business strategy and ensure smooth execution of plans.
• Oversee product development and innovation processes to meet market demands.

2. Supply Chain & Logistics Management

• Manage the entire supply chain process, including procurement, production, distribution, and inventory management.
• Ensure timely delivery of products while optimizing costs and reducing waste.
• Establish and maintain relationships with suppliers and third-party vendors.
• Monitor demand and inventory to balance supply with consumer needs.

3. Production Management

• Oversee manufacturing processes to ensure production goals are met efficiently and at the desired quality.
• Implement cost-effective measures and continuous improvements to production operations.
• Monitor production capacity and resource utilization to avoid bottlenecks.

4. Sales & Distribution

• Collaborate with the sales team to align production and distribution capabilities with sales forecasts.
• Oversee distribution networks, ensuring products reach the market quickly and efficiently.
• Ensure that product availability and delivery standards meet customer expectations.

5. Financial Management

• Manage the operational budget and ensure that the organization’s resources are allocated effectively.
• Monitor cost performance and identify areas for cost reduction while maintaining quality.
• Work with finance teams to analyze cost structures and profitability.

6. Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop the operations team, fostering a high-performance culture.
• Ensure strong cross-functional collaboration between departments (marketing, finance, R&D, etc.).
• Lead talent acquisition efforts for operational teams and help onboard key personnel.

7. Process Optimization

• Implement systems and processes to ensure operational efficiency and quality control across various departments.
• Drive initiatives for process automation and the use of technology to enhance operational productivity.
• Lead continuous improvement projects (e.g., lean manufacturing, Six Sigma) to optimize operations.

8. Risk Management & Compliance

• Identify and mitigate risks within the operational processes, including supply chain disruptions, regulatory compliance, and market fluctuations.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations, environmental standards, and industry best practices.
• Manage crisis situations and ensure business continuity planning is in place.

9. Performance Monitoring & Reporting

• Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure operational success.
• Monitor and report on the company’s operational performance, presenting reports to the Chairman.
• Adjust operational strategies based on performance data and external market conditions.

10. Customer Satisfaction & Quality Assurance

• Ensure product quality meets consumer expectations and industry standards.
• Collaborate with the customer service and quality assurance teams to address consumer complaints and feedback.
• Maintain high customer satisfaction levels by optimizing product availability, delivery speed, and quality.

11. Sustainability Initiatives

• Lead efforts to make operations more sustainable and environmentally friendly, such as reducing waste, improving energy efficiency, and sourcing sustainable materials.
• Align sustainability goals with corporate strategy to ensure long-term growth and brand reputation.

Candidate Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Sales & Marketing, Management, Engineering, or a related field (essential).
• Extensive experience (10+ years) in operations management or senior leadership roles within the FMCG sector.
• Proven track record of leading operational improvements and driving growth in a fast-moving environment.
• Demonstrated experience in managing large-scale operations, including supply chain, production, distribution, and logistics.
• Experience in overseeing multi-functional teams (production, sales, finance, etc.) and managing cross-departmental collaboration.
• Experience with product innovation and overseeing new product development processes.
• International or regional experience may be required for companies with a global or multi-regional presence.
• Bilingual proficiency in English and Chinese (both written and spoken) to effectively communicate with English and Chinese-speaking stakeholders.

The role of a Chief Operating Officer (COO) in an FMCG (Fast-Moving Consumer Goods) company typically involves overseeing the company's day-to-day operations and ensuring that business activities are aligned with strategic goals. The COO is responsible for driving operational efficiency and growth, which are crucial in the fast-paced FMCG industry. Here’s a breakdown of key job scopes for a COO in FMCG:

1. Operational Strategy & Execution

• Develop and implement operational strategies to improve efficiency, scalability, and profitability across the company.
• Align operational goals with the company’s long-term business strategy and ensure smooth execution of plans.
• Oversee product development and innovation processes to meet market demands.

2. Supply Chain & Logistics Management

• Manage the entire supply chain process, including procurement, production, distribution, and inventory management.
• Ensure timely delivery of products while optimizing costs and reducing waste.
• Establish and maintain relationships with suppliers and third-party vendors.
• Monitor demand and inventory to balance supply with consumer needs.

3. Production Management

• Oversee manufacturing processes to ensure production goals are met efficiently and at the desired quality.
• Implement cost-effective measures and continuous improvements to production operations.
• Monitor production capacity and resource utilization to avoid bottlenecks.

4. Sales & Distribution

• Collaborate with the sales team to align production and distribution capabilities with sales forecasts.
• Oversee distribution networks, ensuring products reach the market quickly and efficiently.
• Ensure that product availability and delivery standards meet customer expectations.

5. Financial Management

• Manage the operational budget and ensure that the organization’s resources are allocated effectively.
• Monitor cost performance and identify areas for cost reduction while maintaining quality.
• Work with finance teams to analyze cost structures and profitability.

6. Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop the operations team, fostering a high-performance culture.
• Ensure strong cross-functional collaboration between departments (marketing, finance, R&D, etc.).
• Lead talent acquisition efforts for operational teams and help onboard key personnel.

7. Process Optimization

• Implement systems and processes to ensure operational efficiency and quality control across various departments.
• Drive initiatives for process automation and the use of technology to enhance operational productivity.
• Lead continuous improvement projects (e.g., lean manufacturing, Six Sigma) to optimize operations.

8. Risk Management & Compliance

• Identify and mitigate risks within the operational processes, including supply chain disruptions, regulatory compliance, and market fluctuations.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations, environmental standards, and industry best practices.
• Manage crisis situations and ensure business continuity planning is in place.

9. Performance Monitoring & Reporting

• Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure operational success.
• Monitor and report on the company’s operational performance, presenting reports to the Chairman.
• Adjust operational strategies based on performance data and external market conditions.

10. Customer Satisfaction & Quality Assurance

• Ensure product quality meets consumer expectations and industry standards.
• Collaborate with the customer service and quality assurance teams to address consumer complaints and feedback.
• Maintain high customer satisfaction levels by optimizing product availability, delivery speed, and quality.

11. Sustainability Initiatives

• Lead efforts to make operations more sustainable and environmentally friendly, such as reducing waste, improving energy efficiency, and sourcing sustainable materials.
• Align sustainability goals with corporate strategy to ensure long-term growth and brand reputation.

Candidate Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Sales & Marketing, Management, Engineering, or a related field (essential).
• Extensive experience (10+ years) in operations management or senior leadership roles within the FMCG sector.
• Proven track record of leading operational improvements and driving growth in a fast-moving environment.
• Demonstrated experience in managing large-scale operations, including supply chain, production, distribution, and logistics.
• Experience in overseeing multi-functional teams (production, sales, finance, etc.) and managing cross-departmental collaboration.
• Experience with product innovation and overseeing new product development processes.
• International or regional experience may be required for companies with a global or multi-regional presence.
• Bilingual proficiency in English and Chinese (both written and spoken) to effectively communicate with English and Chinese-speaking stakeholders.