Chief Operating Officer

4C Executive Placement has been exclusively retained by Thompson Aero Seating to appoint a Chief Operating Officer. This is a pivotal senior leadership role at one of aerospace's most respected premium seating manufacturers. Founded more than 20 years ago, Thompson Aero Seating has grown into a globally recognised aerospace manufacturer and forms part of the wider AVIC Cabin Systems Group.

From its Portadown base, the business designs, engineers and manufactures premium Business and First Class seating for many of the world's leading airlines. Thompson Aero Seating is entering an exciting new phase of growth, underpinned by long-standing customer partnerships, a strong pipeline of contracted business and continued investment in its Northern Ireland operations. With a workforce of around 1,000 people, the business combines the scale and expertise of a major international aerospace group with a genuinely close-knit, engineering-led culture built on collaboration, craftsmanship and delivery.

This is a rare opportunity for a senior operations leader to help shape the next chapter of a business with real global standing and ambition. Reporting directly to the CEO and sitting at the Executive team, the COO will own Operations, Supply Chain, Quality, Manufacturing and Planning across both sites, translating the company's strategic vision into a credible, fully resourced operational roadmap.

The ideal candidate will be a commercially astute, Lean-driven operational leader who thrives on complexity, someone who has led multi-site manufacturing or engineered-products businesses through significant scale-up. The successful candidate will have robust experience engaging directly with key customers and OEM partners, building a world-class team and operating model capable of matching the pace of the company's growth. In addition, the COO will have the following experience:
Significant senior executive leadership experience overseeing multiple operational functions within a complex, multi-site manufacturing or engineered-products business, with full P&L or operating-budget accountability. Track record of building or fundamentally reshaping an operating model or business function, including the optimisation of processes, teams and management systems capable of supporting significant scale-up in production volume and revenue. Demonstrable experience leading enterprise-level systems transformation within a manufacturing or supply chain environment, working cross-functionally.

Proven track record embedding Lean and Continuous Improvement methodologies at scale evidenced by measurable gains in delivery, quality or lead-time performance. Demonstrable experience of capacity, resource and business-continuity planning to support a business through a period of significant growth. Demonstrable financial and budgetary management experience, including cost-down and margin-improvement programmes within a manufacturing or engineering operation. Proven experience managing complex, multi-stakeholder customer and supplier relationships, including direct, senior-level customer engagement on live commercial programmes.

Track record of developing and coaching senior leadership teams, including performance management and succession planning within an operational leadership function. Desirable Criteria Experience in a highly regulated environment. Degree in Engineering, Business or a related field. MBA or senior leadership qualification. If you believe you have the skills and experience required for this role, please apply via the link below.

Alternatively, feel free to contact 4C Executive for a confidential conversation.