Chief Operating Officer (COO) – 3‑Year Leadership Development

About the role

We are looking for a highly analytical and commercially driven professional to join our organisation as Chief Operating Officer (COO). This structured succession‑planning role will develop the successful candidate into a future Director over a 2–3‑year period, working closely with the current Director and gaining exposure to operations, key account management and the full commercial framework of the Ships Agency and Clearing & Forwarding industry.

Key responsibilities

• Support and progressively assume responsibility for daily operations and strategic execution of the division.
• Manage and develop key client relationships, ensuring service excellence and timely issue resolution.
• Drive operational efficiency, productivity and profitability through commercial and financial oversight.
• Oversee core financial functions including budgeting, forecasting, debtor management and margin control.
• Ensure effective governance, internal controls, regulatory compliance and risk management.
• Continuously review and improve operational processes, policies and performance standards.
• Build and maintain relationships with stakeholders such as clients, authorities and international partners.
• Lead and develop a team of 15+ employees, fostering accountability and continuous improvement.
• Utilise ERP systems and data analytics to support decision‑making and performance monitoring.
• Conduct weekly meetings with managers and directors to review operational performance and alignment.

Required profile

• Chartered Accountant (CA), CIMA or equivalent qualification.
• Bachelor’s degree in finance or a related field.
• 3–5 years post‑qualification experience with strong commercial and analytical capability.
• Leadership experience in high‑performance environments.
• Ability to work under pressure in a fast‑paced, volatile environment.

Required skills

• Advanced ERP proficiency.
• Data analysis and performance‑indicator reporting.
• Financial reporting and budgeting.
• Regulatory compliance within the logistics industry.