Regional Chief Operating Officer

The Voith Group is a global technology company. With its broad portfolio of systems, products, services and digital applications, Voith sets standards in the markets of energy, paper, raw materials and transport & automotive. Founded in 1867, the company today has around 20,700 employees, sales of € 4.8 billion and locations in over 60 countries worldwide and is thus one of the larger family-owned companies in Europe.

About the role

The Regional COO for North America is a key member of the Regional Executive Leadership Team, reporting directly to the Regional CEO and Global COO. This position is responsible for the execution of operations throughout the region, ensuring delivery performance, quality, efficiency, and the highest standards of safety. The role oversees and optimizes core operational functions—Projects, Engineering, Supply Chain (Procurement and Logistics), Manufacturing, and Construction & Commissioning—and holds accountability for successful project execution in the dimensions of time, quality, costs, and safety. In alignment with the Global COO, the incumbent escalates cross-regional delivery bottlenecks or major resource shifts as needed.

Responsibilities

• Execute global operational strategy that aligns with the company’s vision and goals, supporting growth and profitability by deploying global standards locally.
• Lead regional operations consisting of Projects, Engineering, Supply Chain (Procurement and Logistics), Manufacturing, and Construction & Commissioning.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, stakeholders, partners, and suppliers to ensure satisfaction and long-term collaboration.
• Oversee the planning, execution, and completion of EPC projects within the region, ensuring delivery on time, within budget, and according to global standards in quality and HSE.
• Own revenue recognition and forecast accuracy.
• Ensure all projects and operations comply with legal, regulatory, and contractual requirements, and manage operational project risks effectively.
• Optimize resources across local entities within the region and manage all operational aspects.
• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, and financial performance, ensuring profitability and cost efficiency.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives aligned with the global team and adopt innovative practices to enhance operational efficiency, project delivery, and reduction of non-conformity changes.
• Accountable for capability, capacity, and utilization management of all internal and external resources over the value stream of offerings.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of professionals, fostering a culture of execution, excellence, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Engineering, Industrial Management, or related degree; MBA preferred.
• Proven track record (10+ years) in senior operations roles within EPC contracting, manufacturing, or related sectors, ideally in energy, civil, industrial technology, or capital equipment.
• Experience managing complex, multi-site operations in an international environment.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing systems (ERP, MES), supply chain optimization, and digital transformation.
• Strong customer orientation combined with the ability to engage with customer top management as well as operational staff.
• Familiarity with energy industry dynamics, including renewable energy.
• Demonstrated ability to lead through change, restructuring, and drive margin improvement.
• Availability to frequently travel to regional operating units, manufacturing, and project sites within the region.
• Outstanding leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to collaborate closely with other functions such as Technology and Finance.

Physical Demands

• Regularly required to walk, stand, and use hands to finger, handle, or feel.
• Frequently required to reach with hands and arms.
• Often required to sit, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Required to talk and hear in an industrial setting (noise level can be high at times).
• Regularly required to lift 10 pounds and occasionally required to lift up to 50 pounds.