COO - PHAR Manufacturing #0209

AI overview

Collaborate closely with the Group CEO to transition to leadership while driving operational excellence and product innovation across international markets.

Our client is a century-old international manufacturer renowned for excellence in fittings and valves serving the Plumbing, Heating, Air-Conditioning, and Refrigeration (PHAR) industries. Operating production sites throughout Europe and maintaining a worldwide distribution presence across several continents.

This pivotal appointment represents a CEO-in-waiting opportunity. The appointed individual will collaborate directly with the Group CEO, beginning with oversight of products, production operations, and supply chain performance, before progressively taking on commercial, sales, and marketing responsibilities leading to full Group stewardship. This position provides a defined route to the Group CEO role, contingent upon performance and Board endorsement.

Significant international travel is required, alongside physical presence at the UK head office (located in Kingswinford, West Midlands) when not on the road.

Role Overview

Strategic Development

  • Monitor industry trends, legislative changes, and client needs across international territories
  • Champion and support new product launches, portfolio expansions, and market-tailored offerings
  • Discover and implement initiatives to boost revenue, enhance profitability, and lower fixed costs
  • Drive the advancement of commercial and marketing approaches to stimulate growth and margin improvement

Operational Excellence

  • Develop comprehensive technical and commercial mastery of the product range and complete supply chain operations
  • Enhance and streamline manufacturing performance across international production facilities in Poland, Spain, and Germany
  • Champion cost management, on-time delivery, and operational productivity throughout the production network
  • Cultivate and sustain robust partnerships with critical suppliers while safeguarding the Group's commercial position

CEO Transition Preparation

  • Operate in tight collaboration with the Group CEO to enable smooth leadership succession
  • Progressively take ownership of Business Unit Directors and expanded commercial functions
  • Exhibit growing competence to function at Group CEO standard during the assignment

Leadership & Governance

  • Deliver transparent guidance, ownership, and inspiration to international leadership teams
  • Establish robust internal trust across technical, operational, and business functions
  • Execute systematic weekly check-ins with direct reports and provide succinct monthly updates to the CEO and shareholders
  • Develop lasting partnerships with principal customers, suppliers, and stakeholders through consistent interaction
  • Represent the organization publicly with competence, credibility, and sound business judgment

Requirements

Required Qualifications

  • Travel: Prepared and capable of undertaking substantial international travel year-round across Europe and global regions
  • Location: Available to work on-site at the UK head office (Kingswinford, West Midlands) during non-travel periods
  • Supply Chain Mastery: Extensive knowledge of complete supply chain operations and enhancement
  • Languages: English language proficiency is mandatory
  • Leadership: Demonstrated capacity to direct international teams with precision, encouragement, and resolute defense of organizational interests
  • Industry Experience: Established senior management background within the Plumbing, Heating, Air-Conditioning, and Refrigeration (PHAR) industries
  • Education: Engineering degree or comparable professional credentials
  • Manufacturing Expertise: Verified success in international production and distribution settings
  • Commercial Acumen: Solid business, sales, and marketing credentials with capability to connect technical proficiency with revenue expansion

Preferred Qualifications

  • Track record of effective CEO or executive-level transitions
  • Competence in German, Italian, French, Spanish, or Polish languages is beneficial
  • Background in shareholder relations and Board-level oversight
  • Familiarity with family-controlled or private manufacturing organizations

Benefits

Package & Benefits

  • Life Assurance
  • Car Allowance
  • Private Medical Insurance
  • Bonus Structure: Merit-based incentive program
  • Pension Contribution: Company retirement plan
  • Relocation Assistance: Offered for suitable candidates (terms to be established and confirmed)
  • Compensation: Base Salary: £150,000 - £160,000 annually (flexible for outstanding candidates)
  • Annual Leave: 25 days annually plus UK bank holidays

Career Development

  • Direct mentorship and collaboration with sitting Group CEO
  • Clear progression to Group CEO role within a two-year timeframe
  • Guidance from Board of Directors during transition period
  • Detailed integration and development program for initial 6-12 months

Equal Employment Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Policy

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Both Keller Executive Search and our clients are Equal Opportunity Employers. For all positions, whether with Keller Executive Search or our clients, qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, nationality, ethnic or national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under the Equality Act 2010 and other applicable UK laws.

Commitment to Diversity

Keller Executive Search and its clients are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment where all individuals are valued and respected. We recognise and celebrate the rich diversity across the United Kingdom.

Reasonable Adjustments

Both Keller Executive Search and our clients are committed to providing reasonable adjustments to individuals with disabilities, in accordance with the Equality Act 2010. We engage in an interactive process to determine effective, reasonable adjustments to enable disabled applicants and employees to participate fully in the recruitment process and workplace.

Compensation Information

For client positions, compensation information will be provided in accordance with applicable UK laws. When required by law or good practice, salary information will be included in job postings or provided during the recruitment process. We are committed to pay transparency and equal pay for equal work, in line with the Equality Act 2010 and employment law requirements regarding pay equity.

Compliance with Laws

Both Keller Executive Search and our clients comply with UK laws, regulations, and statutory instruments governing non-discrimination in employment. This policy applies to all employment terms and conditions, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, redundancy, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Workplace Harassment

Both Keller Executive Search and our clients expressly prohibit any form of workplace harassment based on any protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010 and other UK laws. This includes, but is not limited to, harassment based on race, colour, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, nationality, ethnic or national origin, age, disability, or genetic information.

Data Protection and Privacy

We process personal data in compliance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), the Data Protection Act 2018, and other applicable data protection laws. For more information about how we collect and process personal data for recruitment and employment purposes, please review our Privacy Policy at www.kellerexecutivesearch.com.

Pay Equity

Both Keller Executive Search and our clients are committed to pay equity and conduct periodic pay equity analyses in accordance with the Equality Act 2010 and best practices. We support transparency in gender pay gap reporting in line with the Equality Act 2010 (Gender Pay Gap Information) Regulations 2017 where applicable.

Working Time and Leave

We comply with the Working Time Regulations 1998 and other applicable UK laws regarding working hours, rest periods, breaks, and leave entitlements. We respect statutory rights to annual leave, sick leave, maternity, paternity, adoption, and shared parental leave.

Health and Safety

We are committed to providing a safe and healthy work environment in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and all relevant UK health and safety regulations.

Trade Unions and Employee Representation

We respect the rights of employees to join and participate in trade unions and other forms of employee representation in accordance with the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 and other applicable UK laws.

Nation-Specific Declarations

While this policy provides a general framework applicable across the UK, it's important to note that specific employment laws can vary between England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. To ensure full compliance with local regulations, we make the following provisions:

Local Law Compliance: In addition to UK-wide regulations, we comply with all laws and regulations of the specific nation (England, Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland) where the employment takes place.

Nation-Specific Addenda: For each UK nation where we operate, we maintain nation-specific addenda to this policy where required. These addenda outline any additional requirements, protections, or procedures mandated by local law that go beyond or differ from UK-wide standards.

Language Requirements: In Wales, where appropriate and in accordance with the Welsh Language Act 1993 and the Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011, we will make available Welsh language versions of employment materials upon request.

Notification of Applicable Laws: During the recruitment process, candidates will be informed of the specific laws that apply to their potential employment, including any nation-specific provisions.

Regular Updates: We commit to regularly reviewing and updating our nation-specific addenda to reflect any changes in employment laws.

Precedence of Local Law: Where local law provides greater protection or additional rights to employees beyond what is outlined in this general UK policy, the local law will take precedence.

Specific Declarations: Where required by law or good practice, we will make specific declarations regarding matters such as:

  • Pay transparency and gender pay gap reporting
  • Working time arrangements
  • Collective bargaining and trade union recognition agreements
  • Data protection and privacy measures
  • Whistleblowing protection mechanisms (in accordance with the Employment Rights Act 1996)
  • Flexible working arrangements
  • Apprenticeship levy and training obligations
  • Immigration and right to work requirements

Access to Information: Employees and candidates can request information about the nation-specific policies applicable to their employment or potential employment by contacting [email protected].

Use of Artificial Intelligence in Recruitment: Keller Executive Search and our clients may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in the recruitment and candidate evaluation process. These tools are used exclusively to support human decision-making by helping to review and assess candidate qualifications and materials. AI is never used to automatically reject, disqualify, or make final hiring decisions about candidates. All AI-assisted evaluations are reviewed by experienced recruitment professionals, and all hiring decisions are made by qualified human recruiters. Our use of AI is designed to enhance fairness, consistency, and efficiency while maintaining our commitment to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination principles.

Genetic Information

In accordance with UK laws, including the Equality Act 2010, both Keller Executive Search and our clients do not discriminate based on genetic information. We do not request or require genetic information from applicants or employees, except as permitted by law.

Right to Work

Both Keller Executive Search and our clients comply with UK immigration laws and will verify the right to work in the UK for all employees in accordance with the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006 and subsequent legislation. We are committed to preventing illegal working whilst ensuring a fair and consistent approach to all applicants.

Local Laws

Both Keller Executive Search and our clients comply with all applicable local laws, ordinances, and regulations regarding employment practices in the areas where we operate within the United Kingdom.

Note: This job posting may be for a position with Keller Executive Search or one of our clients. The specific employer will be identified during the application and interview process. Employment laws and requirements may vary depending on the employer and location within the UK.

Perks & Benefits Extracted with AI

  • Health Insurance: Private Medical Insurance
  • Other Benefit: Car Allowance

Keller Executive Search International is a global executive search that recruits senior leaders for prominent brands and organizations. We offer full-spectrum services, such as Executive Search, Board Services, CEO Succession Planning, Executive Assessment, Business Culture Review, and Corporate Handover.

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Salary
£150,000 – £160,000 per year
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