Managing Director

Parkinson | Lee Executive Search; England; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A respected UK manufacturing group is seeking a Managing Director to lead through growth, optimisation, and exit preparation. The role requires strategic leadership, a focus on value creation, and an understanding of manufacturing operations, particularly in plastics or composites.

Benefits

Equity participation linked to value creation

Influential role reporting to the Chairman

Confidential opportunity for strategic leaders

Qualifications

• Proven success as a Managing Director or CEO.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing operations.
• Track record of preparing a business for sale.

Responsibilities

• Lead the business through value creation and exit preparation.
• Design and deliver value-enhancing strategies.
• Oversee P&L performance and budgeting.

Skills

Commercial acumen

Financial literacy

Operational command

Leadership

Job description

Managing Director

Location: Flexible within the UK (Midlands or South East preferred)

Package: Competitive salary, performance-linked incentives, and share participation

The Opportunity

A highly respected, UK-based manufacturing group is seeking an experienced Managing Director to lead the business through a critical period of growth, optimisation, and exit preparation. With a turnover of c.£20 million and operations spanning three sites, the business is targeting a sale within a 3–5 year horizon. The incoming MD will be instrumental in shaping the strategic roadmap, creating shareholder value, and ensuring the company is positioned as an attractive, high-performing asset.

This is a confidential opportunity for a strategic, commercially driven leader who has successfully prepared and scaled a business for sale—ideally under private equity, family ownership, or founder-led conditions.

Role Purpose

• Lead the business through its next phase of development, with a clear mandate to drive value creation and prepare for a controlled exit event.
• Shape and execute a 3–5 year strategic plan aligned to enhancing EBITDA, professionalising operations, and improving commercial performance.
• Act as a key figurehead for the business, both internally and externally, ensuring alignment of all functional areas to the growth and exit objectives.
• Maintain strong operational grip while also managing forward-facing strategic goals such as buyer readiness, governance, and M&A.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and deliver a value-enhancing strategy with a defined exit plan (trade sale or private equity exit).
• Drive cultural alignment, performance, and accountability across all functions and sites.
• Lead and develop a high-performing leadership team.
• Oversee P&L performance, budgeting, cash flow, and capital investment planning.
• Implement systems, controls, and reporting required to support due diligence readiness.
• Work closely with the Chairman, Board, and financial stakeholders to manage investor expectations.
• Identify bolt-on acquisition opportunities that support scale and valuation multiples.
• Build and maintain key relationships with potential acquirers, intermediaries, and advisors.

Essential Experience

• Proven success as a Managing Director, CEO, or senior executive with ownership responsibility and exit delivery.
• Track record of preparing and positioning a business for sale within a 3–5 year timeframe.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing operations, ideally in plastics, composites, or moulding sectors.
• Skilled in leading transformation programmes, EBITDA improvement, and governance uplift.
• Experience working with, or reporting to, private equity, family office, or investor-led boards.
• Commercial acumen, with strong financial literacy and operational command.

Desirable Attributes

• M&A experience (either buy-side or sell-side).
• Ability to enhance organisational capability, succession planning, and talent development.
• Networked within relevant manufacturing sectors and advisory communities.
• Balanced leadership style—strategically focused yet operationally credible.

The Offer

• A genuine leadership mandate to shape, scale, and sell a respected UK manufacturer.
• Equity participation linked to value creation and transaction outcomes.
• A visible and highly influential role reporting directly to the Chairman.

Next Steps

For a confidential discussion, please send your CV or executive summary to Carl Walker. All enquiries will be handled discreetly, and further company details will be shared at the appropriate stage.