Global Chief Operating Officer / Head of Multi-Site Operations

CONFIDENTIAL RETAINED SEARCH | GLOBAL AUTOMOTIVE / AUTO PARTS

Search Reference: TNF-AU-COO-2026 | Global Operations Leadership Mandate, Automotive

ABOUT THIS SEARCH

Top Notch Finders has been retained on an exclusive and strictly confidential basis to identify a Global COO / Head of Multi-Site Operations for a global automotive or auto parts manufacturing organization. To protect the interests of our client and of every candidate who engages with us, the identity of the company is disclosed only to qualified candidates under a confidentiality agreement. All inquiries and applications are received and managed solely by Top Notch Finders.

POSITION SNAPSHOT

• Reports to: Chief Executive Officer.
• Location: Global, based near the primary manufacturing footprint with extensive multi-site travel; specifics disclosed to qualified candidates.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Global COO leads worldwide manufacturing and operational performance across a multi-site automotive or auto parts footprint, driving margin recovery, plant optimization, and operational excellence, often under private equity ownership focused on value creation.

MARKET CONTEXT

Scarcity is high for executives with proven, repeatable multi-site operational transformation experience combined with electrification and digital manufacturing fluency.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Own end-to-end operational performance across all manufacturing sites, including production, quality, safety, and cost management.
• Lead plant optimization, footprint rationalization, and capital expenditure prioritization initiatives.
• Drive procurement discipline and cost-reduction programs to protect and expand EBITDA margins.
• Integrate digital manufacturing systems, automation, and Industry 4.0 technologies across the operational network.
• Partner with the CEO and PE sponsors, where applicable, to execute the value-creation plan and 100-day operational priorities.
• Manage labor relations, workforce planning, and cross-border manufacturing operations, including union environments.
• Oversee supply chain integration with the CSCO to ensure operational continuity amid trade disruption.
• Report operational KPIs and transformation progress to the board and investment committee.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• 15+ years of operations leadership experience, including 5+ years as COO, SVP Operations, or equivalent in automotive or industrial manufacturing.
• Demonstrated success leading multi-site, cross-border operational transformation and margin improvement programs.
• Experience operating within a private equity ownership structure and delivering against value-creation plans.
• Strong background in lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or comparable operational excellence methodologies.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, or Business; MBA preferred.
• Proven ability to integrate advanced manufacturing technology, automation, and digital systems into legacy operations.
• Experience managing unionized and cross-border (e.g., U.S.-Mexico) manufacturing workforces.

CONFIDENTIALITY AND HOW TO APPLY

This is a discreet, retained engagement. Your candidacy will never be presented to any organization without your explicit prior authorization, and no application will be visible to the hiring company at this stage. Accomplished global operations executives are invited to submit a resume in confidence through the Top Notch Finders website. Please reference search code TNF-AU-COO-2026 in your submission. Do not include proprietary, export-controlled, or customer-confidential information of any kind in your application materials. Only candidates whose backgrounds align closely with the mandate will be contacted.