Chief Operating Officer

Role Summary:

BOOTES is hiring a COO to own end-to-end operations across the EPC business. This role is accountable for delivery, quality, cost, safety, timelines, and operational discipline across projects and teams. The COO will build a predictable execution engine: strong site governance, tight planning, clear accountability, faster decisions, and zero surprises.

This is not a strategy-only role. You will run the business daily and make execution inevitable.

Key Responsibilities:

1) Project Delivery and Execution (Core Ownership)

• Own delivery across all ongoing and upcoming EPC projects: time, cost, scope, quality, safety.

• Set and run the operating rhythm: weekly reviews, milestone tracking, risk register, escalation system.

• Ensure project plans are realistic and resource-loaded (manpower, materials, equipment, cash flow).

• Drive inter-department coordination so sites never get blocked due to approvals, procurement, or design gaps.

• Create strong project governance: measurable KPIs per project, accountability for delays, and recovery plans.

2) Operations Leadership (People + Process)

• Lead all operations functions including project management, planning, execution, QA/QC, safety, stores, plant & machinery, and site administration.

• Build a high-performance execution culture: clarity, speed, ownership, and discipline.

• Set SOPs and standard operating frameworks across sites (checklists, stage gates, approvals, reporting).

• Strengthen internal coordination between EPC operations, design, procurement, finance, HR, and BD.

3) Cost, Productivity, and Margin Protection

• Drive productivity across manpower and subcontractors, improve output rates, reduce wastage and rework.

• Monitor project profitability: cost-to-complete, variance control, and margin protection measures.

• Strengthen subcontractor strategy: onboarding, performance tracking, billing discipline, and site controls.

• Ensure work orders, scope clarity, rate analysis, and variation controls are watertight.

4) Procurement and Supply Chain Control (With Procurement Head)

• Ensure procurement planning aligns with project schedules to avoid downtime and cost spikes.

• Build systems for vendor performance, lead-time control, and material quality checks.

• Reduce emergency purchases and improve rate control through planning and vendor development.

5) Quality, Safety, and Compliance

• Own and strengthen QA/QC systems: inspections, test plans, NCR management, and closure discipline.

• Drive a strong EHS culture: safety training, audits, incident reporting, and corrective actions.

• Ensure compliance across statutory and project requirements including contracts, labour compliance, and reporting.

6) MIS, Dashboards, and Decision Systems

• Implement real-time reporting across projects: progress, cash flow, procurement status, risks, and blockers.

• Build dashboards for leadership visibility with clear red/yellow/green status.

• Establish data discipline so every decision is backed by numbers, not assumptions.

7) Business Support and Scale Readiness

• Partner with BD and leadership during pre-award and mobilization: feasibility, planning, and execution readiness.

• Create a scalable operating model that supports multiple large projects in parallel.

• Support client relationships through delivery credibility, review meetings, and escalation handling.

Success Metrics (First 3 - 6 Months)

• Improved on-time milestone achievement across projects.

• Reduced rework, reduced site downtime due to procurement/design delays.

• Clear visibility on cost-to-complete and project profitability.

• Stronger safety metrics and fewer incidents.

• Standardized SOPs across sites and consistent reporting cadence.

Requirements & Experience

• 1525+ years in EPC / construction operations with leadership over multi-site project execution.

• Proven experience running large-scale projects end-to-end (planning to handover).

• Strong understanding of contracts, subcontracting, procurement coordination, and cost control.

• Experience building systems, SOPs, and operational governance (not just firefighting).

Education

• Bachelors degree in Civil / Mechanical / Electrical Engineering (MBA preferred but not mandatory).

• Skills and Traits

• Execution-first mindset with high ownership and speed.

• Strong people leadership and ability to drive accountability across senior teams.

• Excellent planning and review discipline; comfortable with dashboards and structured reporting.

• Calm under pressure, strong escalation handling, and sharp judgment.

• High integrity and strong control orientation.