Join us as Chief Operating Officer: Help take Graphene Composites from breakthrough science to global scale

Location: Hybrid – NET Park, Sedgefield, County Durham (with regular international travel)
Salary: £100k base + performance-based share options and benefits
Reports to: CEO | Hours: Full-time

At GC, we’re driven by an ethos to create life-changing products. As a world leader in advanced and nanomaterials research, development and design, we work with manufacturers to solve key technical challenges and enhance product performance with breakthrough materials.

Now we’re entering our next phase of growth, moving from breakthrough science to global commercial scale. To lead that journey, we’re appointing a Chief Operating Officer.

Role Description

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) will provide strategic and operational leadership across the business, ensuring that GC’s nanomaterials technologies are effectively developed, commercialised, and scaled.

Our new COO will own GC’s operating model end to end – manufacturing, supply chain, quality, programme delivery and organisational scaling – working as a peer and strategic partner to our CTO and attending the Board. It’s a role for an enterprise-level leader who can set direction at Board level and stay close enough to the detail to deliver.

This role is based in Sedgefield, North East England with a blend of international travel, on-site presence and some work-from-home flexibility. Day-to-day responsibilities include overseeing operational processes, supporting business planning, managing performance metrics, and coordinating cross-functional teams to deliver on commercial and technical objectives.

Qualifications

  • Significant senior operations leadership (COO, VP Operations or similar), ideally in advanced materials, chemicals, composites or deep-tech manufacturing
  • A track record of scaling manufacturing from pilot to commercial volume
  • Experience managing international supply chains and partners
  • Strong financial and commercial acumen: budgeting, capital planning, margin and KPIs
  • Proven leadership abilities, with experience guiding teams, building collaborative cultures, and managing change.
  • Credibility at Board level with investors, customers and partners
  • A degree in engineering, materials science, chemistry or a related discipline
  • Desirable – experience in defence, aerospace or healthcare manufacturing
  • Desirable – ISO 9001 or AS9100; ERP/MRP implementation; or Lean or Six Sigma, or if you’re eligible for UK security clearance.

What we offer

  • £100k base salary and benefits
  • Performance-based share options, aligned with company growth and value creation
  • A senior seat at the table, working directly with the CEO, CTO and founding team
  • The chance to shape the operational foundation of a pioneering advanced materials company with a global partner network

How to apply

Send your CV and a covering letter to carol@graphenecomposites.com by 31st October 2026. You can also download the full job description here.

GC is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified people, regardless of background.