Managing Director

About the job

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

About the Role

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.

Key Responsibilities

Sales & Commercial 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.

Financial Management & Profitability

• 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 leadership presence across both businesses, ensuring each receives appropriate attention and direction.

Manufacturing & Operational Performance

• Take overall responsibility for manufacturing productivity, quality, delivery and operational efficiency.
• Work closely with production management to improve production planning and capacity utilisation.
• Monitor labour productivity, material usage, manufacturing efficiency and operating costs.
• Identify and resolve production bottlenecks, inefficiencies and operational challenges.
• Align manufacturing output with customer demand and commercial commitments.
• Oversee purchasing, stock management, logistics and supply chain performance.
• Ensure effective maintenance and utilisation of plant, machinery and equipment.
• Implement practical continuous improvement initiatives.
• Maintain appropriate quality standards, customer service and health, safety and environmental compliance.

Business Planning & Strategic Development

• Develop and maintain strategic business plans for both businesses.
• Identify opportunities for organic growth, new products, new markets and enhanced manufacturing capabilities.
• Explore operational and commercial synergies between the two businesses.
• Identify opportunities to improve purchasing efficiency, resource utilisation and shared services.
• Assess investment requirements and prepare commercially sound business cases.
• Monitor market conditions, customer needs and competitor activity.
• Provide recommendations to the Group Board and shareholders on future growth and investment priorities.

Reporting & Governance

• Provide regular, accurate performance reports to the Group Board and shareholders.
• Report on financial results, sales performance, operational KPIs, cash flow and key business risks.
• Identify deviations from budgets and agreed business plans.
• Present clear corrective action plans where performance falls below expectations.
• Maintain effective internal controls, governance and regulatory compliance.
• Operate within agreed financial approval limits and delegated authorities.

Candidate Profile

• Significant senior management experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Proven accountability for business profitability and overall financial performance.
• Demonstrable success in winning new business, developing sales and delivering profitable revenue growth.
• Strong financial literacy, including management accounts, budgeting, margins, cash flow and manufacturing costs.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams across commercial and operational functions.
• Practical understanding of manufacturing processes, production planning and operational efficiency.
• Strong commercial negotiation and customer relationship management skills.
• Experience delivering measurable commercial and operational improvements.
• Highly numerate, commercially astute and confident analysing financial and operational data.
• A proactive, hands-on leadership style, with the ability to balance strategic planning with day-to-day business demands.
• Confident influencing senior stakeholders, challenging existing practices and holding teams accountable.

Desirable Experience

• Previous experience as a Managing Director, General Manager or Business Unit Director.
• Experience managing multiple manufacturing sites, divisions or separate businesses.
• Background in timber products, pallets, packaging, point-of-sale equipment or related manufacturing sectors.
• Experience working within private equity-backed businesses.

What Our Client Offers

• A senior leadership position with responsibility for two established manufacturing businesses.
• The opportunity to shape commercial strategy and drive sustainable business growth.
• Significant ownership of financial performance, profitability and operational improvement.
• Direct engagement with the Group Board and shareholders.
• The opportunity to develop management teams and strengthen business performance.
• A varied, hands-on role combining strategic leadership with direct commercial and operational involvement.

How to Apply

If you’re an experienced manufacturing leader with a strong commercial mindset, proven financial accountability and a track record of driving profitable growth, we’d love to hear from you.

Please apply with your CV or contact the PYVITAL team for a confidential discussion about this senior leadership opportunity.