Chief Operating Officer

Company overview

This established, independently owned supply chain and infrastructure group has spent two decades delivering complex storage, distribution, and logistics solutions for major industries across Australia. Its work supports essential sectors such as mining, transport, public infrastructure, and marine by providing dependable, end-to-end supply chain services. The business runs a coordinated national network that includes import terminals, bulk storage sites, transport fleets, and retail infrastructure, covering everything from global sourcing through to local delivery and onsite execution. Known for combining logistics expertise with a service-first mindset, the organisation places strong emphasis on safety, compliance, and operational reliability. Ongoing investment in terminal and storage expansion is now setting up the company for a new phase of measured growth and capability uplift.

Role summary

Reporting directly to the CEO, this position places you at the centre of the organisation’s operations and infrastructure agenda as Chief Operating Officer. In this second-in-command leadership role, you will oversee a broad operational portfolio spanning import terminals, bulk storage assets, transport and logistics, retail infrastructure, maintenance, and large capital works. You will be responsible for operational profit and loss outcomes while lifting performance, improving efficiency, and driving continuous improvement across a complex, multi-site business. Working alongside the executive leadership team, you will help deliver the growth plan, guide infrastructure expansion and capital execution, and encourage the use of technology and process improvements to strengthen capability. Success in the role will depend on balancing commercial performance with operational excellence, while reinforcing a strong safety culture and maintaining high standards of customer service and dependability.

Key responsibilities

Lead and coordinate end-to-end operations across a multi-site asset base.

Own operational P&L performance and ensure commercial outcomes are delivered.

Oversee terminals, storage assets, transport, logistics, retail infrastructure, maintenance, and capital project activity.

Partner with the executive team to execute growth strategy and broaden operational capacity.

Direct infrastructure expansion and major capital delivery programs, with a focus on safe, timely, and budget-conscious execution.

Improve efficiency, discipline, and process consistency through continuous improvement initiatives.

Promote technology adoption and innovation to enhance operating capability.

Build and sustain a high-performance culture anchored in safety, accountability, and customer focus.

Experience and background

You should bring at least 10 years of senior leadership experience in logistics, infrastructure, industrial operations, or similarly asset-heavy environments. A strong history of managing large, distributed operations and substantial asset portfolios is essential. You will need proven experience owning full P&L results, along with strong commercial judgement and the ability to deliver major capital projects safely, within deadlines, and on budget. A solid understanding of governance, risk management, and regulatory compliance in complex operating settings is also required. The right candidate will be people-oriented and culturally aware, with a record of building capable teams and embedding discipline, safety, and continuous improvement. You must also be able to scale operations through better systems, stronger structure, and operational rigour while remaining agile, innovative, and focused on the customer.

Application instructions

To express interest, submit your resume through the application process. For a confidential conversation, email commercial.executive@hays.com.au and include reference code #3004177.