General information

Entity

Safran is an international high-technology group operating in the fields of aerospace (propulsion, equipment and interiors), space and defense. Its mission is to contribute sustainably to a safer world, where air transport becomes ever more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Present on every continent, the Group employs 110,000 people and generated €31.3 billion in revenue in 2025. Safran holds, either independently or through partnerships, leading global or European positions in its markets.

Safran was ranked second in the Aerospace & Defense sector in TIME magazine's ""World's Best Companies 2025"" ranking.

Safran Electronics & Defense is an international company with more than 19,000 employees who bring together expertise and team spirit to design high-technology solutions for the aerospace, defense and space sectors. By combining human and technological intelligence, the company develops products and services for both civil and military customers, operating on land, at sea, in the air and in space.  

Reference

2026-188346  

Position description

Domain

Programs / Customer Relations

Job field / Job profile

General managers - General manager

Job title

Chief Operating Officer

Employment type

Permanent

Professional category

Professional, Engineer & Manager

Part time / Full time

Full-time

Job description

Safran – Here, we craft excellence together.

At Safran, excellence is a journey – and we'd love you to be a part of it. As a trusted global leader in aerospace, defence, and space, we are proud to be a company where diversity, innovation, and opportunity come together to shape a sustainable future where we can all succeed together through a shared vision.

Safran Actuation Systems, Wolverhampton, is seeking a highly accomplished Chief Operating Officer (COO) to lead and optimise all operational functions across our $800 million Aerospace enterprise.

The COO will serve as a strategic partner to the CEO and executive Wolverhampton Leadership Team, driving operational performance, scalable growth, profitability, and world-class execution across Manufacturing Engineering, SIOP, Operations, Maintenance, Facilities, Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S), and Customer delivery.

This executive individual will play a critical role in ensuring the company maintains the highest standards of safety, regulatory compliance, innovation, and operational performance while supporting long-term growth objectives in commercial aerospace, defence and advanced aviation markets.


Key Responsibilities

• Partner with the CEO to define and deliver the company's strategy, operating plan and long-term growth objectives.
• Lead operational performance across all Value Streams and support functions, ensuring delivery of Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost and customer commitments.
• Drive operational excellence through Lean, Six Sigma and continuous improvement to enhance productivity, efficiency and competitiveness.
• Lead Manufacturing Engineering strategy, industrialisation, automation and technology adoption to strengthen operational capability and future growth.
• Provide executive leadership for SIOP, ensuring effective demand, capacity, inventory and resource planning across the business.
• Deliver financial and operational targets, improving revenue, profitability, cash flow, productivity and working capital performance.
• Build and maintain strong customer relationships, leading operational escalations and supporting new programme growth opportunities.
• Ensure the highest standards of quality, safety, regulatory compliance and operational risk management across the organisation.
• Develop and inspire a high-performing leadership team, driving succession planning, workforce engagement and a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

But what else? (benefits, specificities, etc.)

Looking after the people who make Safran great is our priority. We offer a range of flexible benefits designed to support you, both in and out of work, including:

• Competitive salary and annual bonus and pay review
• Car or Car Allowance
• 25 days' holiday + bank holidays
• Private medical insurance
• Comprehensive health cash plan
• Flexible working options 
• Pension (10% employer contribution) and life assurance
• Early finish on Fridays
• Professional development, ongoing training, mentoring 
• Onsite amenities: parking, restaurant, bicycle storage, showers 
• Family-friendly and accessible workplace policies 


Safran Actuation Systems UK is a world class centre for the design, manufacture and support of actuation and flight control solutions used across commercial, military and rotary platforms. With major sites in Wolverhampton and Banbury, our teams play a critical role in delivering innovative, reliable and safe systems that keep aircraft performing at their best.

Candidate skills & requirements

What will you bring?

• Demonstrated experience leading significant arrears reduction and delivery recovery programmes, delivering sustainable improvements in operational performance and customer commitments within a complex manufacturing environment.
• Significant senior leadership experience within aerospace, defence, automotive or a similarly complex, highly regulated manufacturing environment, with responsibility for leading multi-functional operations.
• Proven track record of developing and delivering operational strategy, driving business transformation and achieving measurable improvements in safety, quality, delivery, cost, productivity and financial performance.
• Degree qualified in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, Business or a related discipline, or equivalent experience.
• Demonstrable experience leading Manufacturing Engineering, Operations and Sales, Inventory & Operations Planning (SIOP), with a strong understanding of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Exceptional leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence executive teams, develop high-performing leaders and build strong relationships with customers, regulators and cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrated experience leading a site-wide capacity recovery or operational turnaround programme, delivering sustainable improvements in throughput, delivery performance and operational resilience.
• Significant Profit & Loss (P&L) accountability, with a proven track record of driving revenue growth, profitability, cash flow and operational efficiency within a complex manufacturing environment.
• Postgraduate qualification (MBA, MSc or equivalent) in Business, Engineering, Operations or a related discipline.
• Experience leading organisational transformation, post-acquisition integration or large-scale operational change programmes within a global organisation.
• Strong knowledge of aerospace regulatory and quality standards, including AS9100, FAA, EASA, NADCAP, ITAR, DFARS and government contracting requirements.
• Experience implementing advanced manufacturing technologies, and lean manufacturing initiatives including automation and Industry 4.0 solutions, to improve operational capability and competitiveness.
• Demonstrated success in executive customer engagement, strategic programme delivery and supporting business growth through industrialisation and operational performance improvement.

Position location

Job location

Europe, UK, England, West Midlands

City (-ies)

Requester

Number of position(s)

1