Few operating roles offer the opportunity to influence strategy, scale and execute at a global level. This is not a role maintaining the status quo, it’s about building what comes next. Our client is an established, growth-oriented, innovation-led medical technology company with a customer base of clients providing critical healthcare across North America and internationally.
The organization is seeking an accomplished Chief Operating Officer (COO) to join its senior leadership team to lead the continued development and growth of its operations. Reporting to the CEO, the COO will have broad responsibility across manufacturing, supply chain, procurement, logistics, service, facilities and operational excellence. This executive will translate an ambitious growth plan into an operating model that is scalable, disciplined and built for global markets. They will pair strategic perspective and commercial acumen with hands-on credibility to engage deeply with engineering, external partners and the production floor.
Why this opportunity
- Enterprise-level impact. A true seat at the senior leadership table, with the mandate to design the operating model that will carry the business through its next phase of growth.
- Purpose behind the work. Lead operations for technology where quality, reliability and on-time delivery have a direct bearing on patient outcomes.
- Room to shape the role. The operations organization is evolving, giving the right leader genuine influence over structure, cross-functional processes and how strategic initiatives are delivered.
- A global platform. Take the business into new international markets and build the supply chain, manufacturing and service infrastructure to support them.
- A team ready to be led. Inherit a capable, committed operations team and develop it into a high-performing, well-connected function.
- Meaningful rewards. A competitive executive compensation package, including a significant short-term incentive and long-term equity participation.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and execute the company's operational strategy in alignment with its broader strategic plan and long-term growth objectives.
- Provide executive leadership across manufacturing, production planning, supply chain, sourcing, procurement, inventory, warehousing, logistics and service operations.
- Lead the strategic relationship with the company’s contract manufacturing partners, including contract negotiation, capacity planning, scaling new products into full-rate production, and sourcing and setting up operations in other jurisdictions.
- Establish operational KPIs and performance management systems while driving continuous improvement, scalability, efficiency and profitability.
- Lead production operations to consistently meet quality, regulatory, delivery and cost objectives.
- Partner with Engineering, Quality and Sales on new product introductions, design transfers and commercialization.
- Strengthen supply chain resilience through strategic sourcing, supplier development, contingency planning and appropriate inventory strategies. Identify and mitigate operational, supply chain and business continuity risks.
- Oversee global service and customer support operations, including order fulfillment and aftermarket service and help grow recurring service revenue. Support international service expansion through partnerships, training, and service infrastructure development.
- Develop and manage operational budgets and capital plans, partnering with Finance on manufacturing costs, forecasting, margin improvement, working capital and cash flow.
- Coach and develop a high-performing operations teams and establish clear accountability and build strong, proactive partnerships across the organization.
Candidate Profile
The successful candidate will be a seasoned operations executive with significant experience in a regulated medical technology environment, ideally within a growing manufacturing organization. They will bring a track record of scaling complex, regulated operations while leading multiple operations functions through periods of growth and organizational change.
Key qualifications include:
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related discipline. A master's degree and/or P.Eng. or MBA designation would be considered an asset.
- 15+ years of progressive operations leadership experience, with 10+ years at the executive or senior leadership level.
- A proven track record of scaling operations ideally in medical devices or a comparably regulated, complex hardware environment.
- Demonstrated leadership across manufacturing, supply chain, service and quality, with an operations excellence mindset and execution track record.
- Strong understanding of medical device development, outsourced manufacturing, commercialization and post-market support.
- Knowledge of relevant ISO standards, as well as applicable Canadian, US and international regulatory requirements.
- Experience implementing or upgrading ERP, manufacturing systems and/or broader digital transformation initiatives.
- Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, cost management and KPI development. Experience supporting global commercialization and international markets.
- Demonstrated ability to lead complex, cross-functional teams and build strong relationships with customers, suppliers, vendors and external partners.
- A big-picture thinker with a keen eye for execution detail and the judgement to make sound decisions in a fast-moving environment.
Location & Travel
The position is based in the Greater Toronto Area and is primarily office-based, with regular interaction with manufacturing and warehouse environments. Some local and international travel is required.
This is a confidential search. If this opportunity aligns with your experience and ambitions, we invite you to apply in confidence or reach out to Andrew Todd (atodd@glassratner.com) or (cbergman@glassratner.com) for more information.
