Managing Director

Are you a seasoned Managing Director or a Finance Director looking to broaden your horizons to become a Managing Director? If so, my client, an expanding owner-managed retail and distribution business, requires your leadership to take the company forward to the next phase. As Managing Director of the long-established growing family-owned business, the profitable business needs your direction to control its operations and provide strategic guidance and advice to the Board to ensure that the company achieves its mission and objectives.

The business has a solid commitment to developing its products and services through continual investment in plant, people and new technology, ensuring their customers are offered a service second to none.

The Role

As Managing Director, you will be responsible for the company's performance and delivering the required levels of profitability and maximising efficiencies in line with the Board's overall strategy. Reporting directly to the Chairman, responsibilities will include successfully implementing the Chairman's vision, developing strategic plans, and implementing company policies. To direct and control the company's operations and to give strategic guidance and direction to the Board to ensure that the company achieves its mission and objectives.

This exciting role requires a Managing Director with exceptional people management and communication skills.

Your Main Responsibilities:

• Leadership and Management Direct and control the work and resources of the company and ensure the recruitment and retention of the required numbers and types of well-motivated, trained and developed staff, to ensure that it achieves its mission and objectives;

• Board Relations Provide strategic advice and guidance to the chairman and members of the Board, to keep them aware of developments within the industry and ensure that the appropriate policies are developed to meet the company's mission and objectives and to comply with all relevant statutory and other regulations;

• Business Plan Prepare the annual business plan and monitor progress against these plans to ensure that the company attains its objectives as cost-effectively and efficiently as possible;
• Budgeting and Forecasting Prepare, gain acceptance and monitor the implementation of the annual budget to ensure that budget targets are met, that revenue flows are maximised and that fixed costs are minimised;
• Financial Reporting Oversee the preparation of the annual report and accounts of the company and ensure their approval by the Board.
• Stakeholder Management Establish and maintain effective formal and informal links with major customers and suppliers, key decision-makers, and other stakeholders to exchange information and views and ensure that the company provides the appropriate range and quality of services.

• Sales and Marketing Develop and maintain an effective marketing and sales strategy to promote the company's products, services, and image to the broader community.

• Innovation Projects Develop and maintain research and development programmes to ensure that the company remains at the forefront in the industry, applies the most cost-effective methods and approaches, provides leading-edge products and services and retains its competitive edge;

• Commercial Represent the company in negotiations with strategic customers, suppliers, and key contacts to secure the most effective contract terms.

• Compliance Develop and direct policies and procedures to ensure that the company complies with all health and safety and other statutory regulations.
• Continuous Improvements Develop and maintain Total Quality Management and a continuous improvement ethos throughout the company to ensure that the best possible products and services are provided to customers.

Knowledge, skills and experience required:

• Graduate level with a higher degree in a management discipline or a professional qualification such as MBA, ACA, ACMA, ACCA;
• A proven record of success in senior-level general or commercial management, and finance preferably within a change management environment;
• Knowledge of the automotive industry would be an advantage.
• Demonstrable senior-level experience in the leadership and management of people and resources;
• An excellent understanding of finance, analytical and problem-solving skills;
• A high level of commercial awareness;
• A knowledge of financial management and broader management principles and techniques;
• Excellent communication skills together with excellent organisational skills.