Operations & Supply Chain (COO / Manufacturing / Logistics)

Turning Strategy into Performance

Every great strategy relies on flawless execution.
At NED Capital, we understand that behind every ambitious growth plan, there are operations — the systems, processes, and people who turn intent into impact.

Our Operations & Supply Chain specialists include former Chief Operating Officers (COOs), Manufacturing Directors, and Logistics Leaders who have spent their careers delivering results at scale.
They have overseen complex global supply chains, optimised production networks, and built resilient operations through volatility and change.

Now, as Non-Executive Directors (NEDs) and Advisory Board Members, they bring practical insight, commercial discipline, and risk awareness to boards seeking operational excellence and governance strength.

Why Operational Expertise Matters in the Boardroom

Strategy without execution is aspiration.
Boards that include operational expertise are better equipped to:

• Translate strategic goals into deliverable plans.

• Evaluate risk, resilience, and performance.

• Balance efficiency with innovation and sustainability.

• Govern complex supply chains and third-party relationships.

• Respond effectively to crisis, disruption, and change.

From global shocks to sustainability demands, operations have become a board-level concern.
A NED with operational experience ensures that governance reflects reality — bridging the gap between planning and performance.

The Profiles We Represent

Our Operations & Supply Chain specialists typically include:

• Chief Operating Officers (COOs) from listed, private, and PE-backed organisations.

• Operations and Manufacturing Directors overseeing multi-site or international facilities.

• Supply Chain and Logistics Leaders managing global networks and third-party partnerships.

• Continuous Improvement and Lean Experts specialising in process optimisation.

• Procurement, Quality, and Compliance Executives ensuring integrity and efficiency throughout the value chain.

Common attributes across our network:

• 25+ years’ experience in operations leadership.

• Proven track records in transformation, efficiency, and cost control.

• Strategic understanding of risk, sustainability, and ESG.

• Experience across manufacturing, infrastructure, energy, technology, and consumer sectors.

These are leaders who know how to get things done — and how to build systems that keep working when conditions change.

The Value They Bring to Boards

1️⃣ Strategic Execution

Operational NEDs ensure that strategic ambition is grounded in operational reality.
They help boards test whether resources, capabilities, and processes can deliver the outcomes envisioned in corporate strategy.

They ask:

• Can the business scale sustainably?

• Are supply chains secure and efficient?

• Are transformation projects achievable within current capacity?

Their insight turns bold ideas into actionable, measurable results.

2️⃣ Risk & Resilience

From pandemic disruption to geopolitical tension, supply-chain resilience is now a strategic priority.
Experienced COOs bring first-hand knowledge of crisis management, contingency planning, and business continuity.

They help boards strengthen resilience frameworks and embed proactive risk management across the organisation.

3️⃣ Operational Efficiency & Cost Control

Every organisation faces pressure to do more with less.
Operations-focused NEDs provide oversight on productivity, procurement, and capital investment — ensuring efficiency without sacrificing quality.

Their presence reassures investors that the board is managing resources prudently and sustainably.

4️⃣ Technology & Automation

Modern operations depend on technology — ERP systems, automation, robotics, and analytics.
Our candidates have led digital operations programmes, integrating Industry 4.0 principles into manufacturing and logistics.

They ensure the board understands both the opportunities and the implementation risks of operational technology.

5️⃣ Sustainability & ESG Integration

Operations sit at the heart of ESG performance.
Our specialists help boards embed sustainability into sourcing, production, and distribution — reducing waste, carbon, and cost simultaneously.

They bring insight into regulatory compliance, green supply chains, and circular-economy innovation.

Operations Leadership in the Modern Boardroom

Boards increasingly treat operational oversight as a governance essential.
They look to operational NEDs for assurance that transformation, efficiency, and sustainability goals are realistic and deliverable.

Such directors often contribute across multiple committees: Audit & Risk, Sustainability, or Transformation & Performance.
Their influence helps boards stay grounded, agile, and accountable.

Case Studies (Illustrative Examples)

Case Study 1: Manufacturing Transformation
A mid-cap industrial manufacturer sought a NED to guide a major automation and plant-efficiency programme.
NED Capital introduced a former COO from a global engineering group.
Within 18 months, the company achieved a 15 % reduction in production costs and improved output reliability through digital integration.

Case Study 2: Supply-Chain Resilience in Consumer Goods
A consumer-products firm facing post-Brexit logistics disruption needed board-level expertise.
We placed a logistics specialist with international sourcing experience.
They helped diversify suppliers, negotiate new freight partnerships, and create a contingency plan that reduced risk exposure by 40 %.

Case Study 3: ESG-Aligned Operations
A listed packaging company required oversight on sustainable manufacturing.
We appointed a former Manufacturing Director who had led major decarbonisation initiatives.
They guided ESG reporting improvements and helped secure new “green supply-chain” contracts.

These examples illustrate how operational insight translates directly into measurable strategic outcomes.

Typical Appointments

Our Operations & Supply Chain specialists are appointed into:

• Non-Executive Director (NED) roles providing operational and risk oversight.

• Transformation Committee Member / Chair guiding performance improvement.

• Audit or Risk Committee Member ensuring supply-chain resilience.

• ESG or Sustainability Committee Member embedding responsible operations.

• Advisory Board Member / Fractional COO for growth or turnaround contexts.

Appointments span FTSE-listed corporates, private-equity-backed ventures, scale-ups, and not-for-profits managing complex delivery networks.

The Boardroom Impact of Operational NEDs

Governance That Reflects Reality

They ensure strategic oversight is informed by practical understanding of process and capability.

Accountability and Transparency

Operational metrics become part of board reporting, supporting evidence-based decision-making.

Investor Confidence

Boards with operational NEDs signal competence, control, and resilience — qualities valued by investors and regulators.

Cultural Balance

Operations-minded directors promote teamwork, discipline, and continuous improvement across the board.

Our Approach to Operational Appointments

1️⃣ Understanding Business Drivers

We begin with your strategic objectives: growth, transformation, cost reduction, or sustainability.
Then we define what kind of operational expertise will strengthen your board.

2️⃣ Accessing Proven Leaders

Our network spans former COOs, manufacturing heads, and logistics directors across sectors.
Each candidate is vetted for governance readiness and cultural fit.

3️⃣ Precision Matching

We match experience not just by industry, but by operational challenge — whether international expansion, automation, or supply-chain risk.

4️⃣ Long-Term Partnership

We remain engaged after appointment, ensuring ongoing alignment between board oversight and business outcomes.

The Broader Business Impact

Boards that include operational and supply-chain NEDs typically see:

• Improved forecasting and cost management.

• Reduced disruption through proactive risk planning.

• Better alignment between board targets and operational capacity.

• Enhanced ESG credibility through responsible sourcing.

• Greater agility in responding to external shocks.

Operational expertise drives measurable, sustainable performance.

For Businesses Seeking Operational NEDs

If your organisation is entering a period of transformation, scaling production, or strengthening resilience, an operations-focused NED can make the difference between success and strain.

We’ll help you:

• Define the operational skills gap at board level.

• Identify leaders with relevant industry and transformation experience.

• Introduce candidates who bring discipline, insight, and delivery focus.

Our clients include:

• Manufacturing and engineering firms.

• Consumer-goods and retail supply networks.

• Infrastructure and logistics providers.

• Energy, transport, and technology sectors.

Every appointment is discreet, strategic, and designed to deliver measurable board impact.

For Senior Operations Leaders Considering a NED Role

If you’re a COO, Operations Director, or Supply-Chain Executive ready to move into plural work, NED Capital can guide you through that transition.

We’ll help you:

• Articulate your operational achievements as strategic board value.

• Understand fiduciary duties and governance expectations.

• Build your professional NED brand.

• Connect with boards that value practical, results-driven oversight.

Many of our operations NEDs find that these roles let them continue influencing outcomes — mentoring executives and improving performance — without full-time pressure.

Why Clients Choose NED Capital

• Depth of Network: Extensive database of proven COOs and operations leaders.

• Sector Breadth: Experience across manufacturing, logistics, infrastructure, and technology.

• Board-Level Expertise: Understanding of governance, risk, and ESG.

• Bespoke Search: Every appointment tailored to business stage and culture.

• Proven Results: Placements known for improving efficiency and resilience.

We combine board-level insight with real-world operational understanding — helping you appoint directors who deliver confidence and control.

Operations, Risk & ESG — The New Governance Triangle

The next decade will test supply-chain resilience, sustainability, and technology adoption like never before.
Boards must balance three imperatives:

1. Efficiency: Competing on productivity and cost.

2. Resilience: Managing geopolitical, environmental, and cyber risk.

3. Responsibility: Aligning operations with ESG and stakeholder expectations.

Operational NEDs are uniquely equipped to guide this balance — ensuring growth remains stable, ethical, and secure.

How to Engage

For Boards

If your board would benefit from operational or supply-chain oversight, contact our dedicated search team.
We’ll define your needs, identify leaders with the right sector and scale experience, and manage the appointment process confidentially.

For Candidates

If you’re a senior operations professional seeking non-executive or advisory opportunities, register confidentially with NED Capital.
We’ll help you position your experience and connect with boards that value your operational insight.

Contact NED Capital today — where execution meets governance.

Summary: The Engine of Effective Boards

Operational excellence turns vision into value.
Boards that include seasoned COOs, manufacturing experts, and logistics leaders gain the insight to plan confidently, adapt quickly, and deliver consistently.

At NED Capital, our Operations & Supply Chain specialists represent the leaders who’ve made organisations run smoothly for decades — now bringing that expertise to the boardroom.

Whether your goal is transformation, cost efficiency, or supply-chain resilience, we can introduce the right Non-Executive Director to make it happen.

NED Capital — Connecting Operational Mastery with Boardroom Leadership.