General Manager

GAP Group; Ashford; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life Assurance

Health & Wellness Support

Generous holidays

Job summary

GAP Group, the UK's leading equipment hire provider, is looking for a General Manager to own a depot's Profit Centre and drive operational excellence across construction, utilities and infrastructure. You will lead a high‑performing team, shape strategy, recruit and train staff, manage purchasing of equipment and supplies, and identify revenue growth opportunities.

The role emphasizes quality and compliance through audits and customer visits, with real career growth, training and a supportive,

Qualifications

• Proven operational management experience, ideally within the construction or hire industry.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to build and motivate a high-performing team.
• Commercial acumen, with experience managing P&L and spotting business development opportunities.
• Knowledge of Plant & Tool equipment and the local customer base.
• Excellent attention to detail and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop depot team to drive performance and exceed customer expectations.
• Managing your Profit Centre, influencing all aspects of depot operations; from recruitment and training to purchasing equipment and supplies.
• Identifying opportunities to grow revenue with new and existing customers.
• Ensuring quality and compliance through audits and regular customer visits.

Skills

Leadership skills

P&L management

Commercial acumen

Problem-solving

Strategic planning

Customer focus

Tools

Plant & Tool equipment knowledge

Job description

Are you a natural leader with a passion for operational excellence and commercial growth? This is your chance to take the reins of a thriving depot within our nationwide Plant & Tool Division, where your decisions make a real impact every day.

As General Manager, you won't just manage - you'll own your Profit Centre, shape strategy, and lead a high-performing team to deliver exceptional service to customers across construction, utilities, and infrastructure. If you're ready to combine leadership with hands-on business influence in a fast-paced, growing industry, this is the role for you.

Here's what success looks like in this role:

• Leading and developing your depot team to drive performance and exceed customer expectations
• Managing your own Profit Centre, influencing all aspects of depot operations; from recruitment and training to purchasing equipment and supplies
• Identifying opportunities to grow revenue with new and existing customers
• Ensuring quality and compliance through audits and regular customer visits

What You'll Bring

• Proven operational management experience, ideally within the construction or hire industry
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to build and motivate a high-performing team
• Commercial acumen, including experience managing P&L and spotting business development opportunities
• Knowledge of Plant & Tool equipment and the local customer base (highly beneficial)
• Excellent attention to detail and problem-solving skills

About GAP and What We Offer

You'll be joining an industry leader that's growing and genuinely committed to your success. At GAP, we're proud to be the UK's leading equipment hire provider - supporting projects big and small across construction, infrastructure, events, and more. With nearly 200 locations nationwide and a wide range of specialist divisions, we offer exciting opportunities in everything from Plant and Tools to Lifting, Survey, Pumps, Power & Environmental, and Event Services.

As a family-run business with over 50 years of experience, we believe in doing things the right way. That means:

• More investment in our equipment than anyone else in the industry, so you work with the best tools in the game
• Remaining fully independent, which lets us make agile, long-term decisions that support your success
• Offering real career growth, training, and development from day one
• Support that values you - from generous holidays to Life Assurance and Health & Wellness Support

We're proud to be an Equal Opportunities employer and embrace the unique contributions each individual brings.