Interim COO Services
When operations start breaking down, supplier negotiations stall, project controlling collapses, cash management loses grip, a business often cannot afford to wait for a traditional executive search. Octobiz provides interim COO support in Europe that puts an experienced operator in the seat within days, not months, someone who takes direct control of operations rather than simply advising from the sidelines.
When a Business Needs an Interim COO
A COO gap tends to surface at the worst possible moment. Typical situations include:
In each case, the cost of an empty COO seat compounds daily. An interim COO closes that gap with immediate, hands-on operational control.
What Interim COO Services from Octobiz Deliver
Octobiz interim COO services are not a staffing placement. Our interim COOs are experienced operators with their own P&L track record, and we manage the assignment ourselves rather than handing over a candidate and stepping back. That means the interim COO takes real operational responsibility, backed by the same senior team and analytical support behind every Octobiz engagement.
Case in point
Interim COO in Action: Two Real Examples
Construction
When a COO leaves abruptly during a critical delivery phase, project controlling and supplier negotiations can collapse almost overnight. In one such case, Octobiz deployed an interim COO within 96 hours to stabilise cash management and deliver a credible recovery plan to the financing bank, the kind of timeline a traditional search process simply cannot match.
Manufacturing
When supply chain disruption or surging raw material and energy costs push EBITDA into negative territory, waiting is not an option. Octobiz deployed an interim COO to secure alternative sourcing and launch a 90-day cost reduction program targeting overhead and energy consumption, addressing both the immediate supply gap and the underlying cost structure at the same time.
Our approach
How We Work: From Diagnosis to Turnaround
An interim COO assignment with Octobiz typically follows three phases:
Understand
AI-assisted diagnostics across liquidity, P&L, and operational bottlenecks to establish a clear picture of where things stand.
Design
A structured operational recovery plan, built to be credible with banks, suppliers, and the board.
Transform
Operational implementation, with the interim COO leading execution and tracking measurable KPIs such as liquidity, EBITDA, and revenue.
The People Behind Our Interim COO Assignments
Octobiz interim COO engagements are backed by a small, senior team rather than a large generalist bench. Managing Partner Oliver Herzog leads the practice, supported by Partners Aurelio Doetsch and Kevin Waugh, alongside a dedicated analytics team covering financial, cost, and data analysis. An interim COO placed by Octobiz is never operating alone, they have direct access to the same senior judgement and analytical support behind every engagement.
Oliver Herzog
Managing Partner
Aurelio Doetsch
Partner
Kevin Waugh
Partner
Oanh Nguyen
Business Analyst
Elena Christoforou
Finance and Cost Engineering
Stella Badirkhanova
Senior Data Analyst
Anna Berheid
Data Analyst
Industries We Place Interim COOs In
Octobiz has placed interim operational leadership across construction, manufacturing, real estate, and technology, alongside tourism and hospitality, shipping and maritime, and financial and professional services across Europe. Operational pressure looks different in each sector, from seasonal staffing strain in hospitality to fleet cost pressure in shipping, and an interim COO needs to understand those specifics from day one.
Why Choose Octobiz for Interim COO Services
We take on operational responsibility, not just recommendations
Our interim COOs are experienced operators with their own P&L accountability
We work on a success-fee basis, so results are the priority, not billable hours
We manage the assignment ourselves rather than simply placing a candidate and stepping away
Looking for a Different Role, or the Bigger Picture?
If your leadership gap sits elsewhere in the business, see our Interim CEO service, or explore the full Interim Management Service offering for broader support across roles.
Facing an operational leadership gap?
Speak with Octobiz about an interim COO placement in Europe.