1328 – Interim Chief Operating Officer Defense Ramp-Up
About Our Client:
Our client is a rapidly expanding North American manufacturing platform specialising in complex fabrication, modular systems, and integrated manufacturing solutions supporting the defence industrial base and other mission-critical infrastructure sectors.
The organisation operates multiple large-scale production facilities delivering vertically integrated capabilities including engineering support, precision fabrication, assembly, and systems integration. These capabilities support customers across defence manufacturing, industrial infrastructure, energy systems, and advanced modular technologies.
Driven by rising demand across the defence industrial base, the company is entering a phase of significant manufacturing expansion and defence programme production ramp-up. The organisation manufactures products aligned with Trade Agreements Act (TAA) and Buy American Act (BAA) requirements, supporting sovereign and compliant manufacturing programmes within regulated defence supply chains.
The business therefore requires a senior interim executive to lead this scale-up, bring sharper operational control to the plant environment, and ensure the manufacturing platform can support programme-driven growth without compromising quality, compliance, or delivery performance.
This assignment is particularly relevant to executives with experience in interim executive leadership, defence manufacturing ramp-up, defence production scale-up, operational turnaround, operational excellence, performance improvement, defence supply chain readiness, restructuring and crisis management, and cross-functional manufacturing transformation.
The broader context is one familiar to many defence-sector operators. As production volumes increase, businesses often face pressure on workforce capability, production planning, inventory accuracy, material readiness, plant leadership structure, and daily execution discipline. In this case, leadership is seeking an experienced Interim Chief Operating Officer who can stabilise the operation while also building the foundations for sustainable scale in a regulated, schedule-driven manufacturing environment.
Project Description:
As programme demand increases, leadership has identified the need to strengthen operational discipline, expand manufacturing capacity, and stabilise execution reliability within one of the organisation’s major production facilities. The business now requires a senior interim executive to lead this scale-up, bring sharper operational control to the plant environment, and ensure the manufacturing platform can support programme-driven growth without compromising quality, compliance, or delivery performance.
This opportunity is highly relevant to executives with experience in interim executive leadership, defence manufacturing ramp-up, defence production scale-up, operational turnaround, operational excellence, performance improvement, defence supply chain readiness, restructuring and crisis management, and cross-functional manufacturing transformation. It is designed to attract senior leaders who have operated in complex, high-reliability environments where manufacturing output, traceability, compliance, and customer delivery are all mission-critical.
The broader context is one familiar to many defence-sector operators. As production volumes increase, businesses often face pressure on workforce capability, production planning, inventory accuracy, material readiness, plant leadership structure, and daily execution discipline. In this case, leadership is seeking an experienced Interim Chief Operating Officer who can stabilise the operation while also building the foundations for sustainable scale in a regulated, schedule-driven manufacturing environment.
Interim Manager Required Skills:
The Interim Chief Operating Officer will lead the operational ramp-up of a major manufacturing facility supporting defence-related production programmes and mission-critical industrial supply chains. The role sits at the centre of the company’s manufacturing scale-up agenda and carries a clear mandate to improve execution, strengthen leadership accountability, and build the operational capacity required for larger programme volumes.
This assignment requires a highly experienced operational leader capable of scaling manufacturing operations while stabilising production processes, workforce structure, supply chain coordination, and plant governance. The successful candidate will bring a strong track record in defence manufacturing, aerospace, regulated industrial production, or other programme-led environments where speed, discipline, compliance, and output reliability must all be managed simultaneously.
The focus is not only on short-term operational recovery, but also on building the management system required for sustained performance. That includes creating clearer ownership across the plant, improving cross-functional execution, supporting material and production readiness, and ensuring the operation can meet the demands of defence-sector customers operating under tight programme schedules and regulated procurement frameworks.
- Acting as Interim Chief Operating Officer reporting directly to the executive leadership team and company owners
- Leading the operational ramp-up of a large-scale manufacturing facility supporting defence production programmes and mission-critical industrial contracts
- Conducting a rapid diagnostic of manufacturing throughput, production planning, inventory visibility, material flow, workforce effectiveness, and plant leadership capability
- Stabilising production scheduling, material availability, and supply chain coordination to support programme-driven manufacturing environments
- Addressing operational issues typically associated with large-scale defence programme ramp-up, including long-lead material readiness, production bottlenecks, labour productivity, traceability, discipline, and execution reliability.
- Strengthening plant leadership capability across operations, supply chain, production supervision, and functional management, ensuring clear accountability for daily performance
- Implementing operational excellence structures including performance management routines, governance cadence, KPI visibility, escalation disciplines, and practical shop-floor controls
- Ensuring manufacturing operations align with Trade Agreements Act and Buy American Act requirements within regulated defence supply chains
- Supporting the business in increasing manufacturing capacity while maintaining delivery reliability, quality standards, compliance expectations, and customer confidence
- Providing executive leadership with insight on organisational capability, succession and continuity planning, and structural improvements needed to support continued growth
This role combines hands-on plant leadership with strategic manufacturing scale-up expertise. The successful interim executive must be comfortable moving between shop-floor realities and executive-level decision making, translating operational complexity into decisive action and measurable results.
The mandate will particularly suit leaders who have previously supported defence contractors, sovereign manufacturing programmes, NATO-aligned supply chains, or highly regulated industrial operations where operational maturity is essential to programme success.
Key Requirements:
- Proven production ramp-up leadership in complex plants
- Familiarity with TAA and BAA compliance within regulated supply chains
- Strong capability in production planning, inventory control, and material flow management
- Track record strengthening plant leadership teams and operational accountability
- Hands-on experience implementing operational excellence within programme-driven manufacturing environments
Type of Assignment:
Interim
Scope of Interim Assignment:
Defence Manufacturing Ramp-Up, Defence Production Scale-Up, Defence Industrial Base Operations
Functional Area of the Interim Manager:
General Management
Location:
Arizona, USA
Duration:
9-12 months
Start Date:
March 2026
Why work with us?
CE Interim delivers proven executive interim leaders within 72 hours across borders, cultures, and industries. We specialize in high-impact interim management for private equity firms, family offices, and global corporations facing moments of transition: digital transformation, market entry, operational turnaround, post-merger integration, or crisis.
What sets us apart is not just the speed or depth of our network, it’s how we lead. Every engagement is personally guided by a CE Interim managing partner: former CEOs, CFOs, or COOs who’ve been on your side of the table, steering organizations through high-stakes decisions.
With a global talent pool and operational reach spanning Europe, the USA, and the Middle East, we don’t fill roles, we build trust, lead transitions, and deliver outcomes.
As part of the Valtus Alliance, the world’s largest alliance of Executive Interim Management companies, we ensure seamless international execution through 25+ offices and 80+ senior partners in over 50 countries.
