The most coveted role beneath the CEO offers four distinct career tracks

(SeaPRwire) –   The journey to the CEO position frequently leads directly through the operations department.

Recent instances illustrate this trend: Dow Inc., Best Buy, and Asbury Automotive Group all promoted their chief operating officers to the chief executive role in 2026. This inclination is growing stronger. As organizations strive to integrate complex workflows and improve execution—particularly in the era of artificial intelligence—operational proficiency has become a highly valued asset in the boardroom.

Although the value of a COO as a successor is evident, the trajectory toward this role, often viewed as the heir-apparent position, is far from uniform. An operating chief at a technology firm might manage product distribution and digital infrastructure, whereas a COO at a manufacturing company might focus on optimizing factories, supply chains, and procurement.

Nevertheless, insights from executive search firms—such as Heidrick & Struggles, Russell Reynolds Associates, and True Search—identify four consistent pathways:

The enterprise operator. Divisional presidents and general managers already manage smaller-scale business units, handling budgets, personnel, and performance. Expanding this expertise to encompass an entire corporation is frequently a logical progression.

The supply chain strategist. These leadership positions continue to serve as a significant springboard, particularly within industrial, retail, and consumer sectors, as they provide a comprehensive grasp of the operational infrastructure that sustains business momentum.

The margin-minded operator. With companies prioritizing both efficiency and expansion, finance executives are increasingly viewed as operators capable of linking capital allocation with operational execution.

The digital systems builder. In the realms of software, fintech, and digital-native firms, code serves as the modern equivalent of a factory floor. CIOs, CTOs, and engineering leads are emerging as natural candidates as cloud infrastructure, data management, cybersecurity, and AI become core components of corporate performance.

The transformation of the COO role will be a primary focus at this week’s COO Summit. Executives such as Nike COO Venkatesh Alagirisamy, MGM Resorts COO Ayesha Molino, and Chipotle COO Jason Kidd will discuss how they are adapting operations to meet the demands of an era defined by rapid change, technology, scale, and heightened customer expectations. You can track the conference proceedings here.

Ruth Umoh
ruth.umoh@.com