Managing Director

W Talent; Coventry; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive benefits package

Job summary

W Talent has been appointed to find a Managing Director/General Manager for a Coventry-based engineering and manufacturing business entering a transformational growth phase. You will have full autonomy to shape strategy, drive commercial growth and lead operations across the organisation.

The role requires a proven track record in senior leadership within manufacturing, P&L ownership, and a passion for continuous improvement, lean principles and people development, with direct exposure to owners

Qualifications

• Significant senior leadership experience in manufacturing or engineering.
• Proven P&L ownership with commercial accountability.
• Experience leading multi-functional teams across operations, engineering and commercial functions.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, quality and supply chain.
• Ability to influence at board/shareholder level while remaining visible across the operation.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver the long-term business strategy with the owners.
• Identify opportunities for organic growth, new markets and increased revenue.
• Drive business transformation and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Create a culture focused on accountability, performance and innovation.
• Take full ownership of business performance and profit & loss.
• Drive revenue growth, profitability and margin improvement.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting and investment planning.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with key customers and stakeholders.

Skills

Senior leadership

P&L ownership

Cross-functional leadership

Manufacturing operations

Strategic planning

Job description

Overview

W Talent has been exclusively retained to appoint an exceptional Managing Director / General Manager for a well-established UK manufacturing business based in Coventry entering an exciting new phase of growth.

This is a rare opportunity to lead a successful engineering and manufacturing organisation with a strong reputation, loyal customer base and ambitious plans for the future. Reporting directly to the business owners, you will have full autonomy to shape strategy, drive commercial growth and lead operational excellence across the business.

The Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced Managing Director, General Manager or Senior Operational Leader who thrives in a precision manufacturing environment and has the capability to lead a business through its next stage of development.

This role offers significant influence across every aspect of the organisation, combining strategic leadership with hands‑on operational and commercial accountability.

You'll inherit an established business with strong technical capability and be empowered to build a high‑performing leadership team, improve profitability and deliver sustainable growth.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Growth

• Develop and deliver the long-term business strategy alongside the owners.
• Identify opportunities for organic growth, new markets and increased revenue.
• Drive business transformation and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Create a culture focused on accountability, performance and innovation.
• Take full ownership of business performance and profit and loss.
• Drive revenue growth, profitability and margin improvement.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting and investment planning.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with key customers and stakeholders.

Operational Excellence

• Lead manufacturing, engineering, quality, supply chain and procurement functions.
• Improve productivity, operational efficiency and customer delivery performance.
• Establish robust KPIs and performance management across the business.
• Champion lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies.

People & Culture

• Lead, coach and develop the senior leadership team.
• Build a high-performing, collaborative and engaged culture.
• Develop succession plans and organisational capability.
• Promote a strong health, safety and quality-first mindset throughout the business.

About You

We're interested in speaking with ambitious leaders who have operated within manufacturing, engineering or industrial businesses and can demonstrate a track record of delivering commercial and operational success.

We are looking for:

• Significant senior leadership experience within manufacturing or engineering.
• Proven P&L ownership and commercial accountability.
• Experience leading multi-functional teams across operations, engineering and commercial functions.
• A strong understanding of manufacturing operations, quality and supply chain.
• Demonstrable experience improving business performance, profitability and operational efficiency.
• The ability to influence at board and shareholder level while remaining visible across the operation.

Advantageous Experience:

• Precision engineering, metal manufacturing, industrial manufacturing or technical production environments.
• Privately owned, family-owned or SME manufacturing businesses.
• Growth, transformation or business improvement programmes.
• Highly regulated or technically demanding manufacturing sectors.

What Success Looks Like

• Deliver sustainable revenue and profit growth.
• Improve operational performance and productivity.
• Develop and retain key customer relationships.
• Build a high-performing leadership team.
• Drive a culture of continuous improvement, quality and safety.
• Execute a clear strategy for long-term business growth.

What's on Offer?

• Salary: £100,00 to £150,000 - depending on experience
• Executive benefits package.
• Significant autonomy to shape the future direction of the business.
• Direct reporting line to the owners with genuine influence over strategy and investment.
• Opportunity to lead a respected manufacturing business through an exciting period of growth and transformation.