Want to know what it really takes to lead world-class manufacturing operations? Read on for the real-world playbook of a modern COO—where purpose, people, and safety always come first.
Based on an exclusive interview with Damotech’s COO, Geneviève, this article reveals how she leads operations from the ground up.
This isn’t just about process—it’s about presence. She spends nearly 70% of her day on the production floor, not behind a desk. She’s there to greet the morning crew, listen to their updates, and ensure everyone is aware of their role. Her leadership style is hands-on, rooted in the belief that “operations aren’t just about machines and schedules; they’re about people. I see myself as a facilitator of success.”
In a world where automation accelerates and supply chains are unpredictable, Geneviève’s approach is refreshingly human. She believes that clear guidelines, open communication, and a culture of trust are the foundation of operational excellence.
“The guidelines must be obvious,” she emphasizes. “People need to be well-trained, have the right tools, and know exactly what’s expected of them. My job is to make sure they have everything they need to succeed.”
If you’re asking, “What is the role of a COO in a company?” here’s the short version: a Chief Operating Officer is the architect of daily execution, translating the CEO’s vision into actionable plans and ensuring every department—from production to quality, from supply chain to automation—works in harmony. If you think a COO is just a “super site manager,” think again.
At Damotech, the COO’s remit spans people, process, technology, and risk, always with a focus on safety and continuous improvement. Her day is a blend of strategic oversight and real-time problem-solving. Whether it’s troubleshooting a sudden equipment breakdown or coaching a team member through a new process, she’s present, adaptable, and always learning.
“There’s no such thing as a typical day,” she admits. “The background is always the same, but the challenges change, sometimes it’s material access, sometimes equipment stability, sometimes it’s about people.”
“The first thing I do is read the night report and check our dashboard. Then I set the plan and greet the team as they arrive.”
6:15 a.m. — Night report → dashboard → plan.
She scans the previous night’s report and live metrics to spot priorities, constraints, and carry-overs. Clear plans are in place: what must move today, who needs what, and where the risks lie.
7:00–8:00 a.m. — Team arrivals & kickoff.
She welcomes the morning crews, shares priorities, and confirms who’s on station. Brief, frequent alignment is more effective than a single, lengthy meeting.
8:00 a.m. & 10:00 a.m. — Floor walkthroughs.
She spends ~70% of her time on the floor: observing flow, unblocking work, and listening for weak signals. “The guidelines must be obvious,” she says, and face-to-face is still the fastest path to clarity.
3:15 p.m. — Shift-change cadence.
Before the evening crew starts, she’s back on the floor to stabilize handoffs. Questions from the night shift flow through a shared channel so issues don’t idle.
Her presence on the floor isn’t just symbolic; it’s strategic. “Sometimes, you see things on the floor you’d never catch from your office. People might not come to you with a problem, but if you’re there, you notice it right away.”
“Operations aren’t just about machines and schedules—they’re about people. I see myself as a facilitator of success.”
“I don’t try to balance safety and efficiency. Safety comes first. Efficiency follows from a safe environment, the right processes, tools, and people.”
For warehouse operations, that stance is also a regulatory reality. OSHA’s 29 CFR 1910 Subpart N governs materials handling and storage; §1910.176 requires stable stacking, clearances, and safe housekeeping, which are foundational to maintaining uptime and preventing injuries.
For racking, ANSI/RMI MH16.1 sets the engineering basis across North America. Damotech’s engineering team adheres to these standards in inspections, load capacity calculations, and safety training.
Tie your daily walk-through to these anchors (e.g., clear aisles, stable stacking, legible load plaques, visible guarding). It sharpens conversations and reinforces a culture driven by safety and security.
Reporting lines vary by company, but standard direct reports typically include Production/Manufacturing, Supply Chain/Logistics, Quality, Health, Safety & Environment (HSE), Engineering/Maintenance, and, depending on the company’s size, IT/Automation and Customer Operations/Service. In matrixed organizations, HR and Finance often partner closely, even if they report to different departments.
It’s a high-stakes role because the COO is responsible for upholding the daily promises to customers and employees. Stress arises from unplanned downtime, sudden demand fluctuations, supply chain constraints, and talent shortages. The antidotes are the same strengths described above: preparedness (playbooks and buffers), presence (Gemba), people development, and a safety-first operating system that prevents minor issues from becoming crises.
“You have to be creative and flexible. Sometimes, the cost of a mistake is an investment in improvement.”
Damotech’s COO separates deep technical vetting (by domain managers) from the “look-you-in-the-eye” human fit. She optimizes the system so that experts can exercise their expertise: autonomy, tools, development, and a clear plan.
The result is a floor that can laugh together and still hit the day’s plan. It’s also a talent pipeline—many CEOs still come from president/COO seats—so investing in a real COO agenda elevates both operations and succession.
Modern COOs succeed by arriving early, walking the floor, eliminating friction, and making safety a non-negotiable priority. Technology and metrics matter, but people make the line run. Lead with intent, measure what matters, and keep learning in the flow of work.
Want to find out more about what makes Damotech great? Download our brochure to discover how our engineering-backed solutions keep warehouse operations safer, stronger, and more efficient.