Chief Operating Officer (COO) – Operations Leader

About the role

Galeta, one of the UK’s fastest‑growing wholesale bakeries, is seeking a Chief Operating Officer to act as the operational counterweight to the founder. The COO will be the number two in the business, responsible for the day‑to‑day running of the group’s people, production, product, marketing and HR functions, as well as integrating a newly acquired bakery.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the operating engine of the group, overseeing Production, Product, Marketing and HR heads.
• Set cadence, standards and priorities across functions and hold the leadership team accountable for delivery.
• Drive the integration of the acquired bakery, aligning people, systems, production processes and culture.
• Build operational rhythm and standards that enable rapid growth and acquisition.
• Partner closely with the founder on strategic direction while managing day‑to‑day execution.

Profile

• Experienced senior operations leader comfortable partnering with a founder‑led business.
• Proven track record of scaling operations in a fast‑moving, high‑growth environment.
• Ready to take real authority and responsibility, not seeking a vanity title.
• Motivated by building a best‑loved wholesale bakery with significant upside.

Required skills

• Operations management
• Production and supply‑chain oversight
• M&A integration
• Strategic planning and execution