Job Openings Chief Operating Officer

About the job Chief Operating Officer

WE ARE HIRING: Chief Operating Officer (COO) 

Location: Colombo, Sri Lanka
Employment Type: Full Time
Industry: Industrial Catering / Food Services / Hospitality Operations 

Role Overview 

We are seeking a highly accomplished and commercially driven Chief Operating Officer (COO) to lead the Finance, Operations, and Human Resources functions of a large-scale industrial catering business. Reporting directly to the Board and senior leadership, the successful candidate will play a critical role in driving business growth, operational excellence, financial performance, and people development while ensuring the highest standards of customer value and service delivery. This executive leadership role requires a proven business leader with extensive experience managing multi-site operations, leading large teams, driving transformation initiatives, and delivering sustainable business results within complex operational environments. 

Key Responsibilities 

Strategic Leadership & Business Growth

  • Provide strategic and operational leadership across Finance, Operations, and Human Resources functions.
  • Drive the company's growth agenda, including expansion, diversification, and new business opportunities.
  • Collaborate with the Board and senior leadership to develop and execute long-term business strategies.
  • Support business transformation initiatives that strengthen operational performance and profitability.
  • Ensure business objectives are translated into measurable operational outcomes.

Financial Management & Commercial Performance

  • Own margin delivery and ensure financial targets are achieved across all business units.
  • Lead budgeting, forecasting, financial planning, and performance monitoring activities.
  • Drive cost optimization initiatives while maintaining service quality and operational standards.
  • Oversee financial controls, risk management, taxation, audit, and regulatory compliance activities.
  • Monitor profitability, business performance, and overall commercial health of the organization.
  • Support banking relationships, financing arrangements, and commercial negotiations.

Operations Management

  • Lead and oversee multi-site industrial catering operations across various customer locations.
  • Ensure consistent delivery of operational excellence, service quality, and customer satisfaction.
  • Monitor operational efficiency, productivity, and business performance across all locations.
  • Develop systems and processes that improve operational scalability and sustainability.
  • Support logistics, procurement, supply chain, production, and service delivery operations.
  • Ensure compliance with food safety, ISO, GMP, and operational standards.

ERP & Digital Transformation

  • Lead the implementation and optimization of ERP systems aligned with organizational requirements.
  • Drive digital transformation initiatives to improve business visibility, reporting, efficiency, and decision-making.
  • Support automation, analytics, and technology-enabled process improvements.
  • Ensure ERP systems effectively support operational, financial, and HR requirements.

People Leadership & HR Oversight

  • Provide leadership and strategic direction for Human Resources functions.
  • Build a strong people-centric culture focused on engagement, performance, and accountability.
  • Inspire, motivate, and develop teams across all functions and locations.
  • Drive workforce planning, talent development, succession planning, and employee engagement initiatives.
  • Promote collaboration, communication, and leadership development across the organization.

Governance, Risk & Compliance

  • Identify business risks and implement mitigation strategies to ensure long-term sustainability.
  • Maintain strong governance frameworks, internal controls, and compliance standards.
  • Monitor operational, financial, regulatory, and organizational risks.
  • Ensure compliance with all applicable legal, financial, operational, and corporate governance requirements.

Candidate Profile

  • Minimum 15 years of senior finance leadership experience with a strong track record in strategy, cost control, operational leadership, and margin management.
  • Experience within Industrial Catering, FMCG, Manufacturing, Hospitality, Food Services, or a similar operational environment will be highly advantageous.
  • Proven success managing multi-site or multi-divisional operations.
  • Strong exposure to logistics, supply chain, and operational management.
  • Hands-on experience implementing and administering ERP systems.
  • Strong knowledge of financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, taxation, audit, risk management, and banking relationships.
  • Professional qualification in CIMA, ACCA, or a related finance qualification.
  • An MBA or equivalent postgraduate qualification is preferred.
  • Strong commercial acumen with the ability to drive profitability and business growth.
  • Excellent leadership, stakeholder management, negotiation, and decision-making skills.
  • Strong people management capabilities with experience leading large and diverse teams.
  • Ability to balance strategic leadership with operational execution.
  • Age preference: 45–55 years.

Ready to take your career to new heights? 

We're InTalent Asia, your go-to recruitment partner in Sri Lanka, and we've got an exciting opportunity for you! 

Our client is looking for a highly experienced professional to fill the role of Chief Operating Officer (COO). 

Apply now and see how you can be the perfect fit for this exclusive position!

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