GENERAL MANAGER

Aims International Italia Società Benefit; Baden-Württemberg; On-site; EUR 170,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Our client, a leading international industrial group, seeks a General Manager for its German subsidiary to accelerate growth and strengthen competitiveness. You will oversee R&D, Sales, Procurement, Operations, Logistics and Finance, reporting to the Group CEO.

The ideal candidate has 15+ years in general management within international B2B manufacturing, proven P&L responsibility, and an entrepreneurial, hands-on leadership style. Fluent English and German are essential; Italian is a plus.

Qualifications

• University degree in Engineering; an MBA or postgraduate management qualification would be an advantage.
• At least 15 years of experience in General Management, Managing Director, Business Unit Director or Operations Director positions.
• Strong track record in integrated management of P&L, Operations, Manufacturing, Engineering/R&D, Product Development, Industrialisation and Sales & Business Development.
• Proven ability to define and implement commercial and industrial strategies, manage strategic customer relationships, oversee cost structures and industrial assets.

Responsibilities

• Assume full P&L and overall financial responsibility for the company, ensuring profitability, cost control, effective investment management and financial sustainability.
• Manage budgets, cash flow and key business KPIs, fostering a performance-driven culture.
• Oversee Research & Development, engineering and product development activities, ensuring that innovation priorities are aligned with market needs and commercial viability.
• Drive decisions regarding the industrial and manufacturing footprint, assessing make-or-buy strategies, investments and opportunities for optimisation and promote manufacturing efficiency, quality and continuous improvement.
• Develop a structured and effective relationship with the Group Headquartier, ensuring strategic alignment and maximising industrial and commercial synergies.
• Ensure transparent reporting and foster integration and collaboration across the Group's different organisational units and geographical locations.
• Define and lead the commercial strategy, strengthening relationships with key OEM customers, identifying new business opportunities, drive customer portfolio diversification and strengthen the company's competitive positioning.
• Manage relationships with key stakeholders, representing the company at senior management level with strategic customers and business partners.
• Lead and develop the local management team, fostering accountability, cross-functional collaboration and a strong results-oriented mindset.
• Attract, develop and retain talent, strengthen managerial and professional capabilities and establish succession plans for key positions.

Job description

Our client is an international industrial company, part of an Italian Group, specialising in the design, manufacture and marketing of technologically advanced, highly engineered solutions and components for the industrial and machinery sectors.

The company operates in an international B2B environment, working with leading OEM customers and standing out for its technical expertise, ability to develop customised solutions and strong focus on innovation. We are seeking a:

GENERAL MANAGER

The General Manager will assume full responsibility for the German subsidiary, with the objective of accelerating business growth, strengthening its competitive positioning and leveraging its industrial and commercial potential, while further enhancing synergies with the Group.

Reporting directly to the Group CEO, the General Manager will lead the company's key functions – Research & Development, Sales, Procurement, Operations, Logistics and Finance – ensuring the achievement of financial and business objectives and the sustainable development of the organisation.

The role calls for an entrepreneurial leader capable of combining strategic vision with a hands-on approach, strong commercial acumen and solid technical and industrial credibility.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Business Management & Performance

• Assume full P&L and overall financial responsibility for the company, ensuring profitability, cost control, effective investment management and financial sustainability.
• Manage budgets, cash flow and key business KPIs, fostering a performance-driven culture.
• Oversee Research & Development, engineering and product development activities, ensuring that innovation priorities are aligned with market needs and commercial viability.
• Drive decisions regarding the industrial and manufacturing footprint, assessing make-or-buy strategies, investments and opportunities for optimisation and promote manufacturing efficiency, quality and continuous improvement.

Group Integration & International Collaboration

• Develop a structured and effective relationship with the Group Headquartier, ensuring strategic alignment and maximising industrial and commercial synergies.
• Ensure transparent reporting and foster integration and collaboration across the Group's different organisational units and geographical locations.

Sales & Business Development

• Define and lead the commercial strategy, strengthening relationships with key OEM customers, identifying new business opportunities, drive customer portfolio diversification and strengthen the company's competitive positioning.
• Manage relationships with key stakeholders, representing the company at senior management level with strategic customers and business partners.

Leadership & Organisational Development

• Lead and develop the local management team, fostering accountability, cross-functional collaboration and a strong results-oriented mindset.
• Attract, develop and retain talent, strengthen managerial and professional capabilities and establish succession plans for key positions.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate is an entrepreneurial business leader with a proven track record in international B2B manufacturing environments, characterised by the consultative sale of engineered and customised solutions to large customers, preferably OEMs.

Education & Professional Experience

• University degree in Engineering; an MBA or postgraduate management qualification would be an advantage.
• At least 15 years of experience in General Management, Managing Director, Business Unit Director or Operations Director positions, with broad responsibility across key business functions.
• Strong track record in integrated management of P&L, Operations, Manufacturing, Engineering/R&D, Product Development, Industrialisation and Sales & Business Development.
• Proven ability to define and implement commercial and industrial strategies, manage strategic customer relationships, oversee cost structures and industrial assets, and drive investment decisions.
• Solid understanding of product innovation and development, make-or-buy strategies and continuous improvement processes.
• Experience in managing complex organisations and leading organisational and industrial transformation initiatives.
• Strong entrepreneurial mindset, proactivity and ability to translate strategic vision into concrete actions.
• Inclusive leadership style, managerial authority and a hands-on approach.
• Strong customer and results orientation, combined with the ability to build and manage relationships and networks at an international level.
• Excellent planning, organisational and prioritisation skills.
• Strong commitment to change management, continuous improvement and people development.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Languages: Fluent English and German; very good command of Italian.
• Availability to travel: Approximately 25% of working time.