Our client is a global market leader and a niche business that has been at the forefront of design, manufacturing, automation and technology for over 30 years for an innovative range of products & systems to worldwide customers within the demanding aerospace, defence, electronics and automotive sectors.
The business is well positioned for the future; it is experiencing exceptional sales growth, has a strong forward order book and is committed programme of continued investment in research and new product development. A number of these developments are also aimed at distinct new markets that offer significant opportunities for new innovations and solutions for advanced manufacturing applications.
They are now seeking an ambitious Managing Director who will provide the leadership, strategic, financial, operational, commercial and technical direction across the business in order to deliver the expectations for planned future growth.
Reporting directly to the Chairman / Board of Directors, you will lead the development and implementation of company strategy and business plans to meet investor, customer and employee needs ensuring their alignment with short-term and long-term corporate objectives. This will require the oversight of all finances, operations, resources and business activities to ensure they produce the desired results and are consistent with the overall strategy and mission of the company. You will also play the leading role in driving and shaping the culture of the business.
The Role
- Agree and set the strategic direction and long term business plans with the Chairman
- Operate with a high degree of self-sufficiency, enjoy P & L responsibility, deliver on the objectives to achieve future growth, improve financial KPIs and increase shareholder value
- Work closely with and utilise the vast specialist knowledge available from the chairman, senior managers, and colleagues
- Provide influential leadership across the business, support, develop and manage the team with a “can do” approach
- Responsible for developing, implementing, and managing the company’s annual plan and long-term business objectives
- Agree budgets and robust forecasts for the business with appropriate metrics; allocate resources and make any corrective mid-course corrections as required
- Ensure that a robust product development road map is in place that exceeds customer expectations for innovative high technology solutions that support profitable new business growth
- Promote a culture of continuous improvement and a “right first time” approach
- Challenge existing practices, enhance workforce communication, identify projects to reduce costs, enhance product quality standards and optimise operational efficiency
- Implement KPIs and drive through change in manufacturing, engineering & supply chain processes to reduce lead times and costs
- Promote a responsive, customer focused culture ; ensure robust procedures are in place to quickly respond to customer enquiries & further enhance levels for quality and delivery performance
- Oversee and travel to the overseas facilities, enhance communication, performance, sales & technical capabilities to fully embrace a culture of a “one business”
- Target and initiate collaborative strategic business partnerships for competitive advantage
- Generate new business, develop brand awareness and technical capabilities with new and potential customers, review sales channels, implement steps to increase the pipeline of orders
- Maintain personal contact and relationship with strategic customer accounts
- Build company image by working in partnership with customers, government, community organisations and employees, enforcing ethical business practices
- Oversee quality service within an ISO 9001 environment, ensure compliance, implement systematic measurement of performance, oversee capex requirements, and give approval of new projects
- Maintain an understanding of the impact of global geopolitical and macroeconomic developments, and markets into which the company sells its products and services
- Play an influential role in the recruitment, training, coaching and development of talent
- Communicate and enforce company values, strategies, and objectives; create an open climate for offering information and opinions across the business
Candidate Profile
- Educated to degree level or equivalent in a business, engineering, electronics or scientific discipline
- Extensive experience as a profit-responsible Managing Director or General Manager including strong financial/commercial skills and some SME background within the industrial/manufacturing sector. You should have already led an organisation that has achieved rapid growth and has undergone a successful business transformation strategy
- An exceptional individual with a proven track of running a relevant P & L business unit within a larger organisation or possibly a senior level board professional with exceptional strategic insight and the gravitas required to “step up” and become a Managing Director in a standalone role may also be considered
- An understanding of the advanced manufacturing sectors in which the business operates such as aerospace & defence, electronics, automotive, medical devices, automation or other highly regulated industries would be particularly advantageous
- The appointee must be able to operate in a “hands on” capacity within a low volume, high value, high margin, medium sized assembly/ manufacturing business environment that provides innovative solutions to a demanding global customer base
- A credible leader, influencer and motivator of others, people orientated and able to give insight into the development of the team, making changes and improvements
- A proven track record of setting out the business, people, organisational, tactical and engineering strategies required in order to support future growth plans and delivery of results
- Experience of overseeing multi-site/ global business operations would be beneficial
- A high degree of commercial and financial acumen with experience of driving a vision for sales, R & D and NPD which optimises existing relationships and nurtures new opportunities for the business
- Able to operate within a “full lifecycle” business environment and possess sufficient technical knowledge to steer the strategic direction for current and evolving technologies
- Well-developed customer skills; able to cultivate long term working relationships
- Comfortable working at pace, under pressure and with conflicting priorities, analytical approach to problem solving and able to remain objective whilst acting with integrity at all times
- Well-developed strategic planning skills with sound tactical and organisational abilities
- Reliable, resilient, and positive, willing to embrace change and maintain a sense of urgency
- Effective communication skills that can deliver confidence and enhance reputation in front of customers, governments, and regulators to foster mutual trust, respect and understanding
- A team player who is results orientated, but also willing to embrace help from others when required
- High level of self-motivation combined with personal integrity and strong negotiation skills
- Able to make well-reasoned decisions using the best information available, display high levels of personal business conduct and ethics
- Knowledgeable with all health, safety and environmental requirements
- Valid passport – willing to travel overseas and a full UK Driving Licence
