Managing Director

• Commercial Management, Leadership, Manufacturing, Operations, Sales, Strategic Growth
• Competitive, Dependent on Experience

Job Title: Managing Director
Location: West Yorkshire
Salary: Competitive, Dependent on Experience
Contract Type: Full-time, Permanent

We’re recruiting for a commercially driven Managing Director to lead two established manufacturing businesses operating across different markets. One specialises in the manufacture of point-of-sale display equipment and high-bay warehouse shelving
, while the other manufactures timber pallets
.

This is a senior leadership opportunity with full responsibility for the commercial, financial and operational performance of both businesses. You’ll be accountable for driving profitable sales growth, improving margins, strengthening customer relationships and ensuring manufacturing operations run efficiently.

The role requires a highly commercial, numerate and hands-on leader who is equally comfortable developing growth strategies, negotiating key customer contracts, analysing financial performance and working directly with production teams to resolve operational challenges.

You’ll lead the senior management teams across both businesses, report to the Group Board and shareholders
, and play a key role in shaping their future direction.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced manufacturing leader who enjoys combining strategic business development with direct operational involvement and wants to make a measurable impact on profitability, performance and long-term business growth.

• Take overall responsibility for revenue generation and profitable sales growth across both businesses.
• Develop and implement individual sales strategies aligned with each business's market and objectives.
• Personally lead significant new business opportunities, key negotiations and customer relationships.
• Identify opportunities to develop new customers, markets, products and revenue streams.
• Establish effective sales pipelines, forecasts and customer development plans.
• Review customer and product profitability, ensuring pricing reflects material costs, manufacturing costs and required margins.
• Set clear sales objectives and hold teams accountable for performance.
• Ensure effective coordination between Sales, Estimating, Production and Customer Service.
• Maintain full profit and loss (P&L) accountability across both businesses.
• Develop annual budgets, business plans and financial forecasts.
• Deliver agreed revenue, gross margin, EBITDA and cash-generation targets.
• Maintain a detailed understanding of cost structures and financial performance.
• Analyse manufacturing costs, including raw materials, labour, overheads, waste and production efficiency.
• Monitor product, customer and contract contribution margins.
• Identify opportunities to improve profitability, reduce costs and strengthen financial performance.
• Manage working capital, including stock, debtors, creditors and cash flow.
• Evaluate capital expenditure and investment proposals, ensuring decisions are commercially justified.
• Review financial results, investigate variances and implement corrective actions.

Leadership & People Management

• Provide direct leadership to the management teams across both manufacturing businesses.
• Establish clear organisational structures, responsibilities and performance expectations.
• Set measurable objectives and conduct regular performance reviews.
• Develop management capability through coaching, mentoring and effective delegation.
• Address underperformance promptly and professionally.
• Promote accountability, commercial awareness, collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Ensure effective succession planning and development of key personnel.
• Maintain a visible…