Operations Director 2026 - all-Russian Forum on Improving Operational Efficiency

“Operations Director 2026” is a professional platform for sharing experience and best practices in operations management. Over two days, operations directors and company executives will discuss how to adapt business processes to changing economic conditions, improve operational efficiency and resilience, control costs and risks, and implement automation and artificial intelligence.

The program is built around practical case studies, management tools, and companies’ real-world experience. Participants will explore solutions that can be adapted to their own business processes: from scenario planning and supply chain optimization to lean manufacturing and digitalization.

Who will benefit from the forum

The forum is designed for:

• Chief Operating Officers (COOs);
• production and operational efficiency directors;
• heads of business processes and operational development;
• transformation and digitalization directors;
• heads of production sites and regional divisions;
• top managers and functional leaders responsible for business efficiency, resilience, and scalability.

Key topics

• Operations strategy in the new economic environment

Economic and industry trends, budgeting, and forecasts for 2027. Participants will discuss how to adapt operating models to market volatility and declining demand.

• Operational resilience and risk management

Scenario planning, real-time disruption prevention, and opportunities to reduce losses and time-related costs.

• Cost management

Crisis-response financial strategies amid rising tax burdens and inflation, identifying internal efficiency reserves, and determining which processes can be optimized without compromising results.

• Supply chains

Risk management and improving supply chain resilience, optimizing logistics processes, and finding the right balance between centralization and the autonomy of regional sites.

• Import substitution and localization

Practical experience in localizing procurement and production and its impact on companies’ operations.

• Lean manufacturing

Applying Lean and Kaizen principles in the Russian business environment, process standardization, waste elimination, and developing a culture of continuous improvement.

• Automation and artificial intelligence

AI-powered operational analysis, predictive analytics, Russian MES systems, and production robotics. Special attention will be paid to digitalization mistakes and the reasons why implementing new technologies does not always deliver the expected results.

• Teams and productivity

Addressing workforce shortages, motivation without excessive KPIs, developing a culture of accountability, and building effective cross-functional collaboration.

• The role of the COO during periods of change

Transformation management, developing critical thinking, and creating a flexible operations management system.

Forum format

Over two days, participants can expect:

• practical company case studies;
• masterclasses and expert discussions;
• live analysis of management decisions;
• networking sessions;
• discussions of crisis-response practices;
• dedicated sessions on AI and automation, workforce shortages, logistics, and supply chains.

The program focuses on the practical application of tools and solutions that participants can use in their work after the forum.

What participants will gain

Participants will gain an understanding of the factors that will influence companies’ operations in 2027 and explore practical approaches to:

• assessing operational efficiency and selecting relevant metrics;
• identifying and eliminating waste;
• implementing artificial intelligence and automation;
• managing operational risks;
• improving supply chain resilience;
• addressing workforce shortages;
• developing teams and operational culture.

The forum will also provide a platform for exchanging experience with operations directors and executives from large and medium-sized companies.

“Operations Director 2026” in numbers

• 2 days of practical insights
• 25+ case studies from various industries
• 100+ participants
• 30+ speakers