Chief Operating Officer

Join to apply for the  Chief Operating Officer  role at  NuWave Research Inc.
Join to apply for the  Chief Operating Officer  role at  NuWave Research Inc.
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Director, Talent Acquisition & Client Experience   At NuWave, we're changing the way the world processes materials.
Our patented microwave-assisted technology goes far beyond drying. It offers a smarter, faster, and more efficient way to solve complex processing challenges across industries. From food to recycling to advanced materials, we deliver customizable and scalable solutions that drive innovation and real results. If you're excited by meaningful impact, cutting-edge technology, and cross-industry collaboration, NuWave is where the future is being built.

The Role:

At NuWave, the  Chief Operating Officer  turns vision into velocity. You'll lead cross-functional execution across Sales, Design, Operations, HR, and Finance, ensuring projects are delivered on time, on budget, and in sync. This role is less about subject-matter depth and more about organizational clarity, leadership development, and driving scalable systems. As the CEO’s right hand, you’ll clear roadblocks, align teams, and champion a culture of accountability and collaboration.
What you'll do:
Oversee the planning and execution of all operational activities
Translate strategic goals into department-level plans and timelines
Identify gaps in capacity, process, or coordination, and implement targeted solutions
Lead weekly operations and project planning meetings with functional leads
Project Oversight & Delivery Accountability
Ensure on-time, on-budget delivery of client solutions in collaboration with team leads
Track key project milestones and remove blockers proactively
Oversee coordination between Sales, Design, Operations, HR, and Finance
Support client delivery forecasting and risk mitigation
Process & Systems Implementation
Design and implement internal systems for project tracking, reporting, and status updates
Establish consistent handoff processes between functions
Support standardization of procedures and workflows across departments
Team Leadership & Cross-functional Alignment
Manage team leads (Sales, Design, Operations, Finance/Admin)
Ensure functional leads are aligned, accountable, and supported in their execution
Coach and develop team leads to increase their leadership capacity
Oversee HR-related responsibilities including onboarding, role clarity, performance expectations, and basic compliance.
Ensure appropriate handling of time-off approvals, basic employee relations issues, and administrative consistency across departments
Partner with the CEO to maintain cultural alignment and address staffing needs
Maintain and improve lightweight HR systems (e.g., onboarding checklist, review cycles, role definitions) that support a growing team.
Performance Reporting & Continuous Improvement
Track and report on KPIs for operations, delivery, and internal performance
Build and maintain lightweight dashboards to monitor business performance and support informed decision-making.
Analyze data across departments to identify trends, inefficiencies, or improvement opportunities
Provide regular insights to the CEO and functional leads to support better planning and execution
Drive a culture of continuous improvement and learning
Recommend and implement changes that increase throughput, quality, and efficiency
What does success look like in the first year?
Establish a cross-functional operating cadence with structured weekly updates
Lead the on-time delivery of at least 4 major client systems with cross-departmental coordination
Document and implement project tracking and handoff processes
Reduce rework by 30% through improved planning, sequencing, and coordination
Support and coach functional leads, resulting in improved leadership ownership and less reliance on the CEO for daily direction
Achieve operational readiness for scale (systems, processes, and team alignment)
Build and maintain a lightweight dashboard/reporting system to monitor business performance and support informed decision-making
Coach and empower leads to take ownership of their areas,…