Chief Operating Officer

Company overview

EET Fuels is part of Essar Energy Transition, a platform introduced in 2023 to channel US$3.6 billion into low-carbon energy initiatives over five years. Of that, US$1.2 billion is allocated specifically to decarbonising EET Fuels. The organisation aims to become the UK’s first low-carbon process refinery and to set a worldwide standard for refining with lower emissions. It has a central role in industrial decarbonisation and in supporting the broader energy system’s transition. In line with the UK Government’s net zero goals, the business is targeting a 95% cut in emissions by 2030, offering an environment suited to senior leaders who want to influence the future of sustainable energy.

Role summary

This is a full-time, on-site Chief Operating Officer position in Ellesmere Port, England, United Kingdom. The COO will be responsible for the refinery’s daily operating performance, with a focus on safety, dependability, and efficiency across production, maintenance, supply chain, and related support areas. The role will also shape and lead the operating strategy needed to deliver the company’s decarbonisation plan, ensuring that operational priorities remain aligned with sustainability, regulatory, and commercial requirements.

What the role involves

• Direct day-to-day refinery operations so that production remains safe, reliable, and efficient.
• Lead the operational strategy required to advance the decarbonisation roadmap.
• Ensure operating plans are aligned with sustainability, regulatory, and business objectives.
• Work closely with executive leaders to define targets, monitor delivery, and address performance gaps.
• Identify, assess, and manage operational risks.
• Promote continuous improvement, digital adoption, and innovation across the business.
• Build and develop high-performing teams and reinforce strong operational governance.
• Engage internal and external stakeholders to support growth and transition objectives.

Candidate profile

The ideal candidate brings strong leadership capability and a history of guiding complex operational transformation, including decarbonisation programmes. They should combine commercial and financial judgement with deep operational understanding, along with the ability to analyse data, interpret performance trends, and use risk indicators to guide decisions. The role also calls for experience leading large multidisciplinary teams, a collaborative people-first approach, and confidence in driving change.

Additional requirements

• Senior-level experience in refining, petrochemicals, energy, or heavy industry, ideally with exposure to low-carbon technologies or energy transition work.
• Sound financial capability, including budgeting, finance oversight, and cost optimisation in an industrial, energy, or manufacturing setting.
• Strong analytical ability to work with operational data, performance measures, and risk signals.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, including working with regulators, industry organisations, and community representatives.
• University degree in engineering, business, or a related discipline; an MBA or similar advanced qualification is beneficial.
• Clear commitment to health, safety, environment, and quality standards, with a strong emphasis on compliance and operational integrity.

Other information

No vacancy count, salary, start date, or application deadline was provided in the source information.