Chief Operations Officer

The Chief Operations Officer (COO) provides strategic, operational, and administrative leadership for the organization’s core support functions, including Information Technology, Facilities Management, Administration, and Supply Chain/Procurement

SCOPE OF POSITION:

The Chief Operations Officer (COO) provides strategic, operational, and administrative leadership for the organization’s core support functions, including Information Technology, Facilities Management, Administration, and Supply Chain/Procurement. The incumbent ensures the alignment of these functions with the organization's quality, and business objectives, driving operational excellence, cost efficiency, scalability, and service reliability.

This role is responsible for strengthening process integration, optimizing organizational workflows, and ensuring cross-functional collaboration to support the delivery of high-quality services, regulatory compliance, and sustainable business growth.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Strategic Operations Leadership

• Lead the development and execution of operational strategies that support business expansion, service diversification, and organizational resilience.
• Establish measurable goals, KPIs, and performance standards for operational units.
• Anticipate operational risks, identify opportunities for innovation, and guide the organization through proactive mitigation.

2. Policy, Process, and Performance Management

• Develop, implement, and refine operational policies, procedures, and systems to enhance reliability, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.
• Ensure adherence to regulatory requirements and accreditation standards 
• Strengthen governance structures and promote organization-wide adoption of best operational practices.

3. Cost Optimization and Resource Efficiency

• Lead initiatives to improve procurement efficiency, reduce operational expenditure, and drive cost optimization.
• Utilize data and analytics to identify trends, forecast operational needs, and inform decision-making.
• Oversee implementation of digital tools, automation strategies, and workflow improvements.

4. Oversight of SOP Development and Continuous Improvement

• Direct the development, review, and updating of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) across all operational support functions.
• Implement continuous improvement frameworks (Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen) to ensure efficiency, accuracy, and consistency.
• Integrate updated regulatory, technological, and process standards into operational documentation.

5. Project, Budget, and Infrastructure Management

• Provide oversight and accountability for planning, budgeting, and executing major projects including capital works, IT upgrades, and facility improvements.
• Ensure timely, cost-efficient, and quality-driven project completion.
• Oversee business continuity planning, disaster preparedness, and emergency response protocols.

6. Cross-Functional Collaboration & Organizational Alignment

• Build a culture of collaboration and high performance within the operations division.
• Strengthen communication and workflow integration between  key departments.
• Ensure operational initiatives support and enhance  service delivery.

7. Information Technology & Digital Transformation Leadership

• Provide strategic oversight for IT operations, ensuring secure, scalable, and efficient systems.
• Guide digital transformation initiatives including LIMS integration, cybersecurity enhancements, automation, and data-driven decision-making.
• Ensure technology infrastructure supports current and future organizational needs.

8. Facilities & Environmental Management

• Oversee maintenance, safety, and compliance of all facilities, ensuring optimal working conditions and regulatory adherence.
• Direct space planning, renovations, and infrastructure development to support organizational growth.
• Ensure health, safety, and environmental standards are consistently upheld.

9. Supply Chain & Procurement Leadership

• Oversee demand forecasting, vendor management, procurement planning, and contract negotiation.
• Ensure inventory availability, cost control, and supply chain resilience.
• Develop long-term procurement strategies that focus on quality, reliability, and cost savings.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT/CONDITIONS

• Work is performed in an office environment during regular work hours, but will require evening and/or weekend hours to meet deadlines.
• Position requires reaching, bending, stooping, and handling objects with hands and/or fingers, talking and/or hearing, and seeing.
• Occasionally required to travel out-of-office  for meetings, seminars, and conferences.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Operations Management or its equivalent.
• Minimum of five (5) years’ experience in management level position in a similar organization.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Experienced at Project Management
• Proven ability to engage in Negotiations, Strategy Development and Change Management.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Demonstrate excellent team building, management and leadership skills.
• Being able to work on own initiative.
• Demonstrate the ability to make rational decisions.
• Ability to function effectively in teams.
• Willingness to engage in continuous learning.
• Mastery of Micro soft Office suite (Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and Power Point etc).