Thales people architect solutions that are relied upon to deliver operational advantage at every decisive moment throughout the mission. Defence and armed forces customers rely on us to deliver the full range of defensive systems for land, sea, and air. From early warning, to threat neutralisation, our platforms cover all levels from very short-range systems, to extended protection across the entire battle-space including Airspace Mobility Solutions, Vehicles and Tactical Systems and Missile Defence, Optronics, and Radar.

Director of Industrial Operations – Eastern Europe

(COO role within the subsidiary)

To support the long-term development of our industrial presence in Eastern Europe and address the operational needs of our customers, we are recruiting a Director of Industrial Operations for our newly created subsidiary.

Acting as the subsidiary’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), the selected candidate will first be responsible for setting up and structuring the industrial activities, and will then lead their expansion from an operational standpoint.

Key Responsibilities

Industrial Set-up & Ramp-upLead the establishment of the subsidiary’s operational capabilities, including manufacturing, maintenance, supply chain, and support functions (IS/IT, real estate, quality).Oversee the transfer of production and maintenance activities in close coordination with various product lines.Design and implement the operational organization: define required skillsets, recruit and structure teams accordingly.Manage the progressive ramp-up of activities, balancing internal capacity and outsourcing to local industrial partners.

Operations Management

Ensure the overall performance and continuous improvement of operational activities (production, logistics, services).Drive efficiency, quality, and compliance with corporate and local standards.

Compliance & Security

Implement appropriate internal processes to meet all regulatory and group requirements (internal control, export control, HSE, etc.).Act as the Security Officer for the site, responsible for safeguarding people, assets, and information.

Serve as the point of contact for customer security authorities.

This is a high-impact leadership role in a sensitive and strategic context. It requires a strong background in industrial operations, a hands-on and entrepreneurial mindset, and the ability to lead within a complex multinational environment.

#LI-DM1

At Thales we provide CAREERS and not only jobs. With Thales employing 80,000 employees in 68 countries our mobility policy enables thousands of employees each year to develop their careers at home and abroad, in their existing areas of expertise or by branching out into new fields. Together we believe that embracing flexibility is a smarter way of working. Great journeys start here, apply now!