For a high-tech scale-up in the Netherlands, we are looking for an Interim COO for an initial period of 6–9 months (4-5 days per week). 

The Organization 

Our client is an innovative high-tech scale-up serving an international customer base with advanced microtechnology-based solutions. These solutions support customers in improving their products and research, contributing to meaningful technological and societal impact. 

Combining expertise in micro- and nanotechnology, advanced materials and precision manufacturing processes, the company works closely with customers from concept development through industrialization and production, delivering highly specialized and customized solutions 

The business is in a strong growth phase, with a well-filled commercial pipeline and increasing customer demand. The key challenge is to translate this commercial momentum into scalable, reliable and efficient production and delivery. 

The Assignment 

The Interim COO will take full operational responsibility for manufacturing and operational performance, with a clear mandate: 

• Ensure safe, stable and predictable cleanroom operations 
• Deliver on a growing order book with high quality and on-time performance 
• Scale production capacity in line with commercial growth 
• Strengthen KPI steering, cost control and operational discipline 
• Professionalize planning, process validation and execution 
• Lead and develop the production organization in a scale-up context 

The Ideal Candidate 

The ideal Interim COO combines deep experience in high-tech manufacturing environments with strong leadership and change capabilities. This assignment requires a leader who can quickly diagnose, structure and implement improvements in a technically complex cleanroom production setting. 

Profile 

• Proven leadership experience in high-tech / cleanroom manufacturing (e.g. microtechnology, MEMS, semiconductor or comparable precision environments) 
• Experience in scaling production in a growth or scale-up setting 
• Hands-on, decisive and execution-driven, able to lead highly educated technical teams