General Manager

Set2Recruit; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A specialist scientific manufacturer based in Cambridge is seeking a General Manager/MD to lead a transformative journey in sales performance and internal culture. The successful candidate will have proven turnaround capabilities, a strong commercial mindset, and the ability to lead technical teams effectively. This role, with significant autonomy, presents a chance to shape the organization's direction, supported by a group investment. The package includes a competitive salary plus performance-based bonuses and benefits.

Benefits

20%-40% bonus

Private healthcare

Pension

Stock options

Qualifications

• Experience in scientific or engineered product environments.
• Proven track record of sales turnaround and cultural reset.
• Confidence in leading technical teams and influencing R&D.

Responsibilities

• Lead a multidisciplinary team across various functions.
• Deliver a sales turnaround and strengthen the sales pipeline.
• Elevate the internal culture and enhance team cohesion.
• Own the P&L and drive business performance improvements.
• Identify new markets and strategic commercial opportunities.

Skills

Turnaround capability in sales

Commercial acumen

Leadership in technical environments

Influencing engineering teams

Job description

General Manager/MD - Cambridge (Onsite - 5 days a week)

Turnaround Leadership | Sales Acceleration | Cultural Reset

My client is a specialist manufacturer of scientific instrumentation, backed by an expanding group of specialist scientific and R&D business's, they are entrepreneurial and hire GM/MDs that have the energy and drive and innovation to grow organisations.

In this role the organisation design and build advanced lab technologies — from digital imaging systems to precision scientific equipment — and they're now ready for a decisive shift in sales performance, culture, and operational pace.

They need a heavyweight turnaround type GM/MD who can lift the commercial engine, energise the organisation, and lead a genuine step-change across the business.

What you'll be doing

• Leading a multidisciplinary team across sales, engineering, operations and support — bringing clarity, pace and alignment.
• Delivering a sales turnaround: strengthening the pipeline, improving conversion, and tightening commercial discipline.
• Resetting and elevating the internal culture — boosting communication, accountability and overall team cohesion.
• Owning the P&L and driving improvements in margin, pricing strategy, and overall business performance.
• Sharpening operational execution to ensure quality, reliability and on-time delivery across all product lines.
• Identifying new markets, channels and strategic commercial opportunities for growth.
• Partnering with group leadership to support investment, transformation and long-term strategy

Who we're looking for

• A commercially minded GM/MD or senior leader with experience in scientific, engineered or technical product environments/Bio Medical/Biosciences area's.
• Proven turnaround capability — whether in sales, culture, or wider organisational performance.
• Strong commercial instincts with success in high-value or long sales-cycle environments.
• Someone confident leading technical teams and comfortable influencing engineering/R&D functions.
• Hands-on, decisive, and energised by the autonomy of an SME-style operation.

Why this role stands out

• A genuine mandate for change — commercial, cultural, operational.
• The chance to drive new growth in a respected scientific technology business.
• Group backing ensures stability and investment where needed.
• Real autonomy to shape the organisation and influence its next stage of success.
• Competitive package with strong performance incentives.

Package

Base + 20%-40% bonus + private healthcare + pension + options