A Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a corporate executive who makes key decisions about production and employee policies. He or she establishes new objectives and policies based on data on workmanship quality, safety, and efficiency. In addition, an operations officer meets with other executives on a regular basis to assess the company’s overall health. The ultimate goal of someone in this position is to ensure that production runs as smoothly as possible in order to maximize profits and customer satisfaction.
In a small business, the chief operating officer is likely to interact with employees and floor supervisors on a regular basis. He or she might go on a tour of a factory or a service center to assess the effectiveness of policies and procedures. When an officer recognizes an area that could be improved, he or she can start brainstorming solutions. For example, the officer might notice that newer workers are significantly less productive than seasoned workers. After weighing the costs, the officer may decide to implement a more extensive training program to better prepare new employees for their positions.
The majority of large corporation COOs do not interact with laborers on a regular basis. Instead, they get information about the status of day-to-day operations from department supervisors and vice officers. To determine the best ways to improve circumstances, an officer carefully considers raw production data as well as concerns raised other managers.
Attending executive meetings to discuss policies with other company heads is common for a chief operating officer. Executives share their findings and ideas with one another and collaborate to make important company decisions. The COO and the technology officer might meet to discuss whether new systems and equipment could help boost productivity. If they believe this is the case, the financial officer can assist them in determining how much money should be set aside to purchase new machines and retrain workers.
A person who wants to work in this position typically needs a master’s degree in business administration as well as several years of experience in other managerial roles. When openings for operating officer positions arise, many companies prefer to promote internal employees rather than hire outside consultants. A person who has worked for a company for a long time is generally more familiar with the company’s operations and requirements. A successful chief operating officer may advance to the position of chief executive officer or even president of a company in the future.