General Manager

Daniel Owen; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A respected manufacturing business in Derbyshire is seeking a General Manager to lead operations and drive growth. This hands-on position requires strong commercial leadership and experience in bespoke joinery or manufacturing sectors. Responsibilities include managing a team of around 50, overseeing pricing strategies, and ensuring operational efficiency. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in commercial roles and a hands-on approach to leadership. Competitive salary offered with car allowance and performance bonus.

Benefits

Car allowance

Performance bonus

Qualifications

• Significant commercial experience within bespoke joinery or specialist construction sectors.
• Proven leadership managing mixed teams in workshop, office, and site environments.
• Experience implementing systems for process improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead commercial processes including quoting, pricing, and contract negotiation.
• Develop strong relationships with key customers.
• Monitor operational performance and drive improvements in efficiency.

Skills

Commercial leadership

Team management

Pricing strategy

Client relationship management

Education

Experience in bespoke joinery or manufacturing

Tools

CRM systems

ERP systems

Job description

Overview

General Manager

GenMan_1765366311 Posted : 10 / 12 / 2025

General Manager

An exceptional leadership opportunity within a respected, growing manufacturing business - with long-term progression and potential equity participation for the right candidate.

Daniel Owen are recruiting for a well-established and expanding bespoke joinery manufacturer located in Derbyshire. Operating across the Midlands and wider UK, the business has built a strong reputation for producing high-quality bespoke joinery, certified fire doors, and heritage restoration work. Their customer base includes leading contractors, architects, heritage specialists, and private clients.

Location : Derbyshire

Position : General Manager

Salary : £65,000 - £70,000 per annum + Car allowance + performance bonus

Contract Type : Permanent

Availability : This role is immediately available

The company is part of a dynamic and ambitious group of specialist construction and manufacturing businesses. Following significant investment and an agenda of operational improvement and growth, the organisation is entering a pivotal phase. To support this next stage, the Group is seeking a high-calibre General Manager with strong commercial capability and operational leadership experience.

The Role

The General Manager will play a central role in running and developing the business. This is a hands-on, commercially focused position that requires deep involvement in day-to-day commercial activity - including quoting, pricing, tendering, surveying, and client relationship management - as well as oversight of operational performance.

You will lead and develop a team of approximately 50 employees across the workshop, office, and on-site installation teams. Working closely with the Group Managing Director and Group Finance Director, you will be accountable for P&L delivery, operational efficiency, cultural development, and driving sustainable, profitable growth.

This role is ideally suited to an individual who thrives in a fast-paced, hands-on manufacturing environment and who enjoys balancing commercial leadership with operational oversight.

Key Responsibilities

• Commercial Leadership
• Lead and manage all commercial processes including quoting, pricing strategies, surveying, design coordination, tender submissions, and contract negotiation
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key customers, acting as the senior commercial point of contact for the business
• Review and refine pricing models, margin controls, and commercial reporting to enhance profitability
• Support the Group in identifying new markets, sectors, and strategic opportunities to grow pipeline and market presence
• Provide oversight of production planning, scheduling, workflow management, and installation delivery
• Ensure operational processes are robust, scalable, and aligned with best practice
• Drive improvements in manufacturing efficiency, quality assurance, customer service, and project delivery
• Promote and embed a culture of continuous improvement, reducing waste and enhancing output across the business
• Lead approximately 50 employees across production, office support, commercial teams, and site-based installation staff
• Promote a high-performance culture built on accountability, pride in craftsmanship, and ownership of results
• Mentor and support supervisors and managers, ensuring strong communication and effective cross-departmental collaboration
• Set clear objectives, monitor performance, and implement structured development pathways for staff
• Own full P&L responsibility for the business, working closely with Group leadership to set budgets and deliver on financial targets
• Implement strategic initiatives aligned with Group priorities, including systems improvements, commercial innovation, and operational optimisation
• Analyse performance data and provide robust, evidence-based recommendations to the Group Managing Director
• Represent the business at Group level, contributing to wider decision-making and future growth strategies

Essential Experience & Skills

• Significant commercial experience within the bespoke joinery, manufacturing, or specialist construction sector
• Background in a joinery operation, with proven results in pricing, tendering, and margin improvement
• Strong leadership experience, ideally managing mixed teams across workshop, office, and site
• Demonstrable experience implementing systems or improving processes (e.g. CRM, ERP, pricing tools, workflow management systems)
• Highly organised, detail-oriented, and disciplined in planning and follow-through

Personal Attributes

• Commercially astute with a data-driven approach to decision-making
• Hands-on, practical, and approachable, with a willingness to get involved at all levels
• Clear and confident communicator who builds strong internal and external relationships
• Calm, structured, and solutions-focused, even under pressure
• A natural leader who inspires confidence, trust, and accountability across the workforce

How to Apply :