COO Jobs in Kentucky
COO jobs in Kentucky are concentrated in Louisville, Lexington, and the Northern Kentucky metro, where executives lead operations across healthcare, logistics, bourbon and food manufacturing, and financial services. Major employers with lasting Kentucky footprints include Humana, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky, and Kindred Healthcare, all of which regularly recruit senior operations leaders. Demand is strongest for coos with backgrounds in healthcare system management, supply chain operations, and manufacturing process improvement. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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If you are a current DSV employee and interested in a position in another country,please contact your Human Resource representative to discuss the process and requirements of applying.
DSV – Global Transport and Logistics
At DSV, our purpose is to keep customers’ supply chains flowing and enable the business of our customers by ensuring reliable and efficient transport and logistics services through storage and transport of goods by air, sea and road. Our vision is to create long-term, sustainable growth and value for our customers, employees, shareholders and society.
Close to 150,000 employees in over 90 countries work diligently to deliver great customer experiences and high-quality services.
As a global leader, our commitment to sustainable business practices is a central element of our overall business strategy.
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Location: USA - Walton, Final Mile Blvd as well as multiple other operational sites and requires regular travel between locations across the U.S.
Division: Solutions
Job Posting Title: Director, Operations
Time Type: Full Time
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Responsible for supporting the Company strategy including growth and transformational initiatives. Develops regional strategies to align with enterprise targets. Ensures targets are achieved and local needs are also met.
- Plans and budgets regional financial targets. Responsible for ensuring results are achieved against targets.
- Ensures operational excellence within and across our core services.
- Ensures operational excellence through standardization of existing practices, risk assessment and review of key metrics.
- Provides leadership and creates an environment that fosters passion, teamwork and agility within the organization.
- Ensures initiatives are developed and executed in the selection and development of talent and creates an environment that improves associate engagement.
- Builds and sustains long-term client relationships. Supports local, regional and global sales initiatives by partnering with key clients and delivering a high level of client focus to business initiatives.
- Plans and successfully executes start-up facilities for new business.
- Spearheads teams and partners with clients to trouble-shoot and solve existing issues or problems.
- Contributes as a key member to our sales and solutions team in winning key strategic accounts.
- Develops and implements an operations strategy tailored to our client that identifies opportunities to improve cost control and margin improvement and will lead to organic growth.
- Consistently works within a complex matrixed environment.
- Works collaboratively and establishes solid business relationships with supporting departments including but not limited to: Human Resources, Sales, and Finance.
- Performs special projects as required
- The Regional Director of Operations directly supervises General Managers. Responsible for overall management to achieve client satisfaction. Must interpret policies, purposes, and goals of the organization for subordinates. Responsible for performance management of direct reports. Builds bench strength by leading, developing and challenging operations teams to raise individual and collective performance levels by demonstrating and promoting discretionary effort.
- A Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business or Logistics or equivalent fields is required
- A minimum of 10 years logistics operations management experience with big box", e-commerce or specialty retailers and at least 5 years’ experience as a regional operations leader managing multiple locations.
- Strong proficiency in MS Office applications is needed.
- Working knowledge of industry WMS
- English (reading, writing, and verbal)
- Intermediate mathematical, accounting, and financial skills
- Excellent verbal, written and visual/presentation communication skills.
- Must be adept at navigating within a matrixed organizational structure.
- Results-oriented and able to work and meet timelines.
- Ability to work well under pressure and multi-task.
- Demonstrated ability to work in a complex matrix environment across multiple levels within the organization.
- Ability to motivate and inspire others to achieve.
- Ability to question and challenge existing ways of thinking.
- Experience in a “client-centric" environment with accountability for both operations metrics and client relations.
- Must excel at and enjoy teaming with members of the operations team and client representatives to trouble-shoot and solve existing problems.
- Direct experience preparing budgets and actively participating in financial reviews with a solid understanding of standard and actual cost variances
- Has led high-performing teams. Can recruit, develop and motivate superior talent
- Possess the ability to motivate and maintain effective working relationships with staff and partners.
- Ability to rely on experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals.
- Successfully work to reach company goals in an environment in which a wide degree of creativity and latitude is required
- Integration experience with the supply chain industry is helpful
- Master’s degree preferred.
- Third-party logistics experience is preferred but not required.
- Involvement in relevant professional organizations is desirable
For this position, the expected base pay range is $180,000.00 – $215,000.00 . Actual compensation will be determined based on job-related factors such as relevant experience, skills, education, certifications, and geographic location, in accordance with applicable laws and company policy.
Information regarding DSV’s benefits offerings, including eligibility, coverage options, and plan details, is available through the DSV Benefits Showcase. Benefits, programs, and eligibility may vary by location and division in accordance with applicable state and local laws.
DSV is an equal employment opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, ancestry, disability, veteran status, marital status, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law. If you require special assistance or accommodation while seeking employment with DSV, please contact Human Resources at hr@us.dsv.com. If you are interested in learning the status of your application, please note you will be contacted directly by the appropriate human resources contact person if you are selected for further consideration. DSV reserves the right to defer or close a vacancy at any time.
DSV – Global transport and logistics
Working at DSV means playing in a different league.
As a global leader in transport and logistics, we have been on an extraordinary journey of growth. Let’s grow together as we continue to innovate, digitalise and build on our achievements.
With close to 150,000 colleagues in over 90 countries, we work every day to offer solid services and meet our customers’ needs and help them achieve their goals. We know that the best way to achieve this is by bringing in new talent, fresh perspectives and ambitious individuals like you.
At DSV, performance is in our DNA. We don’t just work – we aim to shape the future of logistics. This ambition fuels a dynamic environment built on collaboration with world-class team players, accountability and action. We value inclusivity, embrace different cultures and respect the dignity and rights of every individual. If you want to make an impact, be trusted by customers and grow your career in a forward-thinking company – this is the place to be.
Start here. Go anywhere
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See All 34 COO Jobs in Kentucky
Find roles in Kentucky that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find COO JobsCOO Jobs by City in Kentucky
Where Kentucky roles are concentrated, by current openings.
COO Job Market in Kentucky
A snapshot from current Kentucky openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



What Kentucky Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in COO jobs across Kentucky.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in business administration, operations management, or a related field
- Ten or more years of progressive leadership experience in operations or a related function
- Demonstrated experience managing P&L responsibility and cross-functional teams at scale
- Industry-specific expertise in healthcare, manufacturing, logistics, or financial services relevant to Kentucky markets
- Proven ability to develop and execute operational strategy aligned with organizational growth goals
- Strong familiarity with Kentucky regulatory requirements and compliance standards in the relevant industry
COO Jobs in Kentucky: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a coo in Kentucky?
Most coos in Kentucky reach the role through a combination of an advanced degree in business, operations, or a relevant technical field and a decade or more of progressively senior leadership experience. Kentucky does not require a state-issued license to serve as a coo, but executives in regulated industries such as healthcare must ensure their organizations maintain the appropriate Kentucky state certifications and accreditations. Building a record of operational results within Kentucky's dominant sectors, including healthcare, manufacturing, and logistics, is the most direct path.
Which companies hire coos in Kentucky?
Employers hiring coos in Kentucky right now include ShipMonk, Cedarhurst Senior Living, and DSV, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Kentucky's strong concentration of healthcare systems, automotive manufacturers, and regional financial institutions makes it a consistently active market for senior operations leadership.
Which Kentucky cities have the most coo jobs?
Louisville, Lexington, and Hebron have the most coo openings in Kentucky. Louisville drives the largest share of demand as the state's primary corporate headquarters hub, home to major healthcare and logistics employers, while Lexington's university-anchored economy and Northern Kentucky's proximity to Cincinnati attract additional executive-level operations roles across manufacturing and financial services.
Are there remote coo jobs in Kentucky?
Yes, but they're rare. Coo roles are fundamentally hands-on leadership positions that require direct oversight of people, facilities, and operations, which limits full-time remote arrangements. About 43% of coo openings tied to Kentucky are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and those tend to be concentrated in technology-enabled or multi-site organizations where strategic oversight can be performed partly off-site.
How can I get hired as a coo in Kentucky with little or no experience?
The most realistic path is building depth in a functional director or vice president role at a Kentucky employer before stepping into a coo seat. Large Kentucky healthcare systems and manufacturers such as Humana, Baptist Health, and Toyota often promote from senior director and VP-level operations roles internally. Gaining experience as a director of operations, plant manager, or regional vice president in Kentucky puts candidates in the strongest position, and an MBA from the University of Kentucky or University of Louisville is frequently cited in postings as a competitive credential.
Where can I find and apply to coo jobs in Kentucky?
You can find and apply to coo jobs in Kentucky on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers hiring across the state. Search the listings for roles that match your industry background and experience level and apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 34 COO Jobs in Kentucky
Find roles in Kentucky that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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