Chief Operating Officer Jobs in Tennessee
Chief Operating Officer jobs in Tennessee are in strong demand, with consistent openings across healthcare systems, logistics and distribution, manufacturing, and financial services, covering the full range from newly promoted VPs stepping into COO roles through seasoned C-suite executives. Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville account for the largest share of hiring activity, and well-established employers such as HCA Healthcare, FedEx, and Tennessee Valley Authority regularly seek chief operating officers to lead large-scale operations. The most sought-after specialties in Tennessee center on healthcare operations management, supply chain leadership, and multi-site manufacturing oversight. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Business, or a related discipline
- 10+ years of progressive manufacturing operations leadership experience
Preferred Requirements:
- Experience leading multiple departments, operating areas, or locations
- Background working within a union manufacturing environment
The successful candidate will provide strategic and operational leadership for a complex manufacturing organization with responsibility for delivering safe, reliable, and cost-effective performance. This leader will balance daily execution with longer-term improvement initiatives, ensuring the organization has the people, processes, and equipment necessary to meet evolving business requirements.
Responsibilities:
- Lead manufacturing operations with accountability for safety, quality, delivery, productivity, cost, and overall performance
- Establish operating priorities and performance expectations that improve throughput, asset utilization, reliability, and customer service
- Build a strong leadership pipeline through coaching, succession planning, workforce development, and clear accountability
- Drive continuous improvement through structured problem-solving, standard work, performance management, and disciplined execution
- Partner across Maintenance, Engineering, Supply Chain, Finance, and Commercial functions to address constraints and support business objectives
- Develop operating, capacity, and capital plans that strengthen long-term competitiveness while maintaining strong execution against near-term commitments
CiresiMorek is a team of experienced industry professionals known for a hands-on, relationship-driven approach. Having completed 3,500+ searches, we are more than just headhunters; we are industry advisors behind every successful placement.
Confidentiality is guaranteed. Applications require a resume/CV with contact information.
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Business, or a related discipline
- 10+ years of progressive manufacturing operations leadership experience
Preferred Requirements:
- Experience leading multiple departments, operating areas, or locations
- Background working within a union manufacturing environment
The successful candidate will provide strategic and operational leadership for a complex manufacturing organization with responsibility for delivering safe, reliable, and cost-effective performance. This leader will balance daily execution with longer-term improvement initiatives, ensuring the organization has the people, processes, and equipment necessary to meet evolving business requirements.
Responsibilities:
- Lead manufacturing operations with accountability for safety, quality, delivery, productivity, cost, and overall performance
- Establish operating priorities and performance expectations that improve throughput, asset utilization, reliability, and customer service
- Build a strong leadership pipeline through coaching, succession planning, workforce development, and clear accountability
- Drive continuous improvement through structured problem-solving, standard work, performance management, and disciplined execution
- Partner across Maintenance, Engineering, Supply Chain, Finance, and Commercial functions to address constraints and support business objectives
- Develop operating, capacity, and capital plans that strengthen long-term competitiveness while maintaining strong execution against near-term commitments
CiresiMorek is a team of experienced industry professionals known for a hands-on, relationship-driven approach. Having completed 3,500+ searches, we are more than just headhunters; we are industry advisors behind every successful placement.
Confidentiality is guaranteed. Applications require a resume/CV with contact information.
See All 75 Chief Operating Officer Jobs in Tennessee
Find roles in Tennessee that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Chief Operating Officer JobsChief Operating Officer Jobs by City in Tennessee
Where Tennessee roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Chief Operating Officer Job Market in Tennessee
A snapshot from current Tennessee openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Education
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Tennessee Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in chief operating officer jobs across Tennessee.
- Bachelor's degree in business administration, operations management, or a related field required
- Minimum ten years of progressive leadership experience in operations or a related function
- Demonstrated ability to develop and execute enterprise-wide operational strategy and goals
- Experience managing large cross-functional teams across multiple Tennessee facilities or business units
- Proficiency with financial planning, budgeting, and P&L oversight at a divisional or company level
- Strong background in process improvement methodologies such as Lean or Six Sigma preferred
Chief Operating Officer Jobs in Tennessee: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a chief operating officer in Tennessee?
Becoming a chief operating officer in Tennessee typically requires a bachelor's degree in business, operations, or a related discipline, with many employers preferring an MBA or equivalent graduate credential. Tennessee does not issue a state license specific to this role, so advancement depends on building a record of progressively senior operational leadership. Most candidates move through director and VP-level roles within Tennessee industries such as healthcare, logistics, or manufacturing before stepping into a COO position.
How much do chief operating officers make in Tennessee?
Chief operating officers in Tennessee earn a median of about $198,830 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $64,520 for the lowest 10% to over $474,740 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire chief operating officers in Tennessee?
Employers hiring chief operating officers in Tennessee right now include BayMark Health Services, The Waters, and University of Tennessee, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. Tennessee's concentration of large healthcare networks, distribution hubs, and manufacturing headquarters means demand for senior operations leadership remains active throughout the year.
Which Tennessee cities have the most chief operating officer jobs?
Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville are the Tennessee cities with the most chief operating officer openings, reflecting where the state's largest employers are headquartered or maintain major operations. Nashville drives the most activity thanks to its dense concentration of healthcare systems and corporate headquarters, while Memphis generates significant demand from its logistics and distribution sector and Knoxville from advanced manufacturing and energy organizations anchored by the Tennessee Valley Authority.
Are there remote chief operating officer jobs in Tennessee?
Yes, but they're rare. A chief operating officer role is inherently hands-on, requiring direct oversight of facilities, people, and day-to-day business functions, so fully remote arrangements are uncommon. About 47% of chief operating officer openings tied to Tennessee are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, with the hybrid share primarily covering strategic planning, board reporting, and investor relations responsibilities that can be handled off-site.
How can I get hired as a chief operating officer in Tennessee with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is securing a director or senior manager role in operations, then building toward a COO title over time. Large Tennessee employers such as HCA Healthcare and FedEx run formal leadership development and operations management programs that place high-potential candidates in rotational roles designed to broaden their functional exposure. Candidates moving from adjacent positions such as director of supply chain, plant manager, or VP of clinical operations carry the transferable skills Tennessee employers look for, and an MBA from a Tennessee institution can accelerate consideration.
Where can I find and apply to chief operating officer jobs in Tennessee?
You can find and apply to chief operating officer jobs in Tennessee on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings tied to the Tennessee market. Search the available roles, identify the ones that fit your background and target industry, and apply directly to each position through the listing.
See All 75 Chief Operating Officer Jobs in Tennessee
Find roles in Tennessee that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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