Head of Operations (COO wannabe)

From powering space exploration and advancing medicine to enabling defense and shaping the optics inside everyday devices - our impact reaches far beyond today.

To scale this growth without sacrificing quality, speed, or resilience, we're hiring a H****ead of Operations (COO wannabe) - a role positioned between Head of Operations and full-scope COO. You'll be the CEO's operating partner and help build the operating system behind the next stage of growth.

Responsibilities

• Be the CEO's #2 for execution: translate strategy into an operating plan, priorities, and predictable delivery across functions.

• Build and continuously improve the company's operating system: end-to-end process architecture, cross-functional governance, standard ways of working, and decision discipline.

• Own performance management: define the few KPIs that matter, run operating cadences (weekly/monthly/quarterly), drive accountability, and remove systemic blockers.

• Lead scaling and resilience of the value chain: supply chain strategy, critical material coverage, risk mitigation, and international operations readiness.

• Drive operational excellence and scalability: Lean mindset, standardization, capacity planning, throughput and quality stability as the organization grows.

• Lead digitization and automation roadmap: ERP/CRM integrations, data quality, reporting, and "single source of truth" for operational decisions.

• Own operations economics: OPEX/CAPEX planning and tracking, productivity improvements, and margin-protecting execution.

• Build and lead a strong operations leadership team (10–15 direct reports), shaping structure and capabilities for the next growth stage.

Core mission Create a scalable, data-driven operating system that enables OPTOMAN to grow rapidly across geographies while protecting what makes us strong: quality, speed, reliability, and profitability.

Required superpowers

• Bachelor's degree (engineering, technology, operations, business, or similar).

• 5+ years in relevant leadership roles (operations/supply chain/manufacturing environment/process excellence / scaling organizations).

• Proven ability to design and run cross-functional operating models (process architecture, governance, accountability, decision-making).

• Business and financial acumen: budgets (OPEX/CAPEX), KPI-based performance management, and the ability to connect operations choices to EBITDA outcomes.

• Track record of leading complex, cross-functional initiatives (systems, processes, organizational change).

• Strong supply chain capability: supplier strategy, negotiations, risk management, and critical materials resilience.

• High ownership and pace: comfortable operating in fast growth, ambiguity, and frequent change.

• Strong digital/tooling fluency (including AI): comfortable using modern productivity tools and applying AI to speed up analysis, documentation, and decision-making; experience with ERP/CRM, DMS, and analytics systems is a plus.

• English B2–C1.

Rewards

• Competitive compensation (€5,000–€8,000 gross) + annual bonus scheme (final offer based on your expertise and role scope). In this strategic role, performance upside can be linked to company results (e.g., EBITDA-related KPIs).

• Meaningful equity upside (stock options): a real opportunity to participate in long-term value creation as OPTOMAN scales — designed for key roles shaping the next stage of growth.

• €1,000 annual personal benefits budget (MELP): choose what fits you best - health insurance, 3rd pillar pension, or other wellbeing/perks.

• Extra time off that grows with you: +1 paid day off on each work anniversary (up to 5 extra days), on top of standard annual leave.

• Learning & growth support: a flexible L&D budget for relevant courses, certifications, workshops, and conferences (with a simple approval process).

• Hybrid work, done right: flexibility and a workplace not tied to a single desk, supported by clear ways of working.

• Team & work support: a separate budget for team-building and work-related tools/items, plus an additional phone budget.

• Great people, healthy culture: a supportive, collaborative team with a superhero mindset - we help each other win - plus company-wide events throughout the year.

• Referral rewards & life moments: referral bonus for successful hires, and one-time support for special occasions (marriage, birth of a child, and other significant life events, per policy).

If you're ready to build the operating backbone of a fast-scaling high-tech business, you might just belong with us.