Chief of Staff (f/m/d)

Drive company operations, organizational development, and recruiting at a fast-growing industrial tech startup.

ABOUT ONIQ

ONIQ is on a mission to transform manufacturing for a more sustainable and efficient future. With the IQA Lean Copilot, we are pioneering a new category in industrial tech - combining lean production principles with AI, process mining, and advanced data analytics. Our software empowers manufacturers to systematically identify inefficiencies, accelerate improvements, and scale operational excellence across their global production networks.

We are a highly motivated team with a strong sense of ownership and passion for what we do. Our entrepreneurial mindset and commitment to innovation have enabled us to grow fast and shape the future of digital lean and green manufacturing. At ONIQ, culture is just as important as product. We foster an environment rooted in authenticity, diversity, integrity, and mutual respect - where everyone is encouraged to bring their whole self to work.

THE ROLE

As Chief of Staff, you will work directly with the founders and leadership team to help scale ONIQ as an organization. Your role is to ensure that the company runs smoothly internally as we grow - building the structures, processes, and organizational foundations that enable our team to operate effectively.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

Organizational Development

• Build and continuously improve internal structures and operating processes as ONIQ scales
• Define and implement scalable workflows, ownership models, and decision structures across teams
• Identify organizational bottlenecks early and proactively solve them
• Ensure operational discipline and strong follow-through on company priorities

CEO & Leadership Support

• Act as a strategic and operational partner to the founders and leadership team
• Structure complex topics and prepare decision foundations
• Drive cross-functional initiatives that span multiple teams

People & Recruiting

• Drive and scale the recruiting processes to ensure speed and a consistently high hiring bar
• Help shape ONIQ’s organizational structure and long-term talent strategy
• Define clear career paths and development frameworks for employees
• Support managers with performance conversations, development planning, and team growth

Company Operations

• Professionalize internal processes across the company – across areas such as finance, procurement, product development, sales, and other core company functions
• Introduce scalable tools, internal operating rhythms, and management practices
• Strengthen company-wide alignment through transparent internal reporting, KPI-based performance tracking and structured internal communication formats
• Support the leadership team in translating strategy into clear priorities for the organization

Culture & Team Development

• Strengthen ONIQ’s culture as the company grows and ensure it scales with the organization
• Act as a trusted contact point for employees across the company
• Support initiatives that strengthen diversity, team engagement, and employee satisfaction
• Organize internal formats that foster collaboration, transparency, and knowledge sharing

WHAT WE EXPECT FROM YOU

• Experience working in a fast-paced environment, e.g. startup, strategy consulting, venture building or similar roles
• High ownership mentality and ability to independently drive initiatives
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work with people across very different roles
• High emotional intelligence and sensitivity for team dynamics
• Entrepreneurial mindset and genuine interest in building organizations
• Master's degree from a university and a strong academic track record
• Excellent language skills in English (C1); fluency in German is a plus
• We like the energy of working together in person. At least one office day per week in Cologne is important to us

WHAT WE OFFER

• A central role in shaping how ONIQ grows as a company
• Direct collaboration with the founders and leadership team
• A culture built on transparency, integrity and authenticity – we trust and respect each other and make decisions based on competence
• A fast-paced, agile environment where you can take on as much responsibility as you feel ready for and actively shape our company operations
• A team that genuinely cares about collaboration and work culture: we regularly reflect on our teamwork, invest work time into team spirit and consciously create balance in everyday work
• The opportunity to contribute to fighting climate change by helping industrial manufacturers to become more efficient and to reduce their CO₂ emissions, while we are mindful of our own environmental impact as a carbon-neutral company
• All the benefits that make work more pleasant: flexible hours, part-time options, remote work possibilities, regular team events and offsites, 30 days PTO, weekly yoga sessions, Deutschlandticket, Urban Sports Club and more

HOW TO APPLY

We’d love to hear from you even if your experience doesn’t match every single point above. Please apply through our job portal. If you have questions about the role, reach out to jobs@oniq.com.