General Manager - Manufacturing

General Manager Manufacturing

An excellent opportunity has arisen for an experienced and commercially focused General Manager to lead an established, privately owned manufacturing business with ambitious plans for its next phase of development.

The company has built a strong reputation for quality, craftsmanship and customer service. This key leadership appointment will provide the successful candidate with the opportunity to strengthen the organisations operational capability, develop its people and management culture, and help create a more scalable, high-performing business.

The successful candidate will combine strategic leadership with a visible, hands-on presence across the operation. They will bring greater structure, consistency and accountability while preserving the entrepreneurial culture, flexibility and customer focus that have underpinned the companys success.

The Role

The General Manager will provide leadership across people, manufacturing, operations, customer service, health and safety, quality and commercial performance.

A central priority will be to develop a high-performing management culture, with clear responsibilities, appropriate performance measures and consistent standards throughout the organisation. The appointee will also ensure that the business has the people, systems, capacity and infrastructure required to support its future growth.

The Job

• Providing strong, visible and professional leadership across the business.
• Developing the management team through coaching, clear accountability and effective performance management.
• Driving operational excellence across manufacturing, production planning, purchasing, warehousing and distribution.
• Establishing a structured continuous improvement programme focused on productivity, efficiency, quality, cost and waste reduction.
• Introducing meaningful KPIs and management information to support decision-making and performance improvement.
• Improving processes, systems and operational discipline as the business grows.
• Establishing consistently high standards of customer service, responsiveness and ownership.
• Strengthening the management of customer complaints, service issues and corrective actions.
• Taking overall responsibility for health and safety and developing a proactive safety culture throughout the organisation.
• Managing the financial and operational performance of the business, including budgets, forecasts, profitability and cost control.
• Working with the owners and Board to develop and deliver the companys growth strategy.
• Assessing the people, production capacity, technology and investment required to support expansion.
• Ensuring that growth is achieved without compromising quality, safety, customer service or the companys reputation.

The Person

We are seeking an experienced senior leader with a strong manufacturing and operational background. Experience within a high-quality, customer-focused manufacturing environment would be particularly relevant.

The successful candidate is likely to demonstrate:

• A strong track record of leading and developing people within a manufacturing or operational environment.
• The credibility and interpersonal skills to establish authority while gaining the trust and respect of employees.
• Strong commercial acumen and a clear understanding of profitability, productivity, cost control and business performance.
• Experience of translating strategy and growth objectives into practical operational plans.
• A proven ability to develop management teams and introduce greater structure, accountability and consistency.
• Practical experience of continuous improvement, operational excellence and performance management through KPIs.
• A strong commitment to health and safety as a visible leadership priority.
• An understanding of the quality and service standards required by premium or high-value customers.
• Experience of leading organisational change and bringing people with them through that process.
• The confidence and resilience to challenge established practices, address underperformance and introduce higher standards constructively.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to engage effectively with owners, Board members, managers, production employees and customers.

This opportunity will particularly appeal to a visible, energetic and pragmatic leader who enjoys helping a successful entrepreneurial business professionalise, scale and realise its full potential.

How to apply

To apply, please send a CV outlining your relevant experience and achievements using the appropriate method. Alternatively, please contact Neal Lucas for a confidential discussion on .

All applications and enquiries will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Skills:
General Manager Operations Manager Operations Director

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