Managing Director

Gap Personnel; Exeter; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full benefits

Job summary

Gap Personnel seeks a Managing Director – Engineering & Manufacturing in Devon to lead an established, technically driven manufacturing business and drive its next phase of growth. You will set direction, strengthen the leadership team, and ensure sustainable profitability.

Reporting to the Group CEO, you will own performance across financial, commercial, and operational areas, develop growth strategies, budgets and KPIs, and build a high-performing senior leadership group.

Qualifications

• Senior leadership in engineering/manufacturing
• Proven ability to deliver profitable growth
• Experience developing and implementing business strategy

Responsibilities

• Take full ownership of financial, commercial and operational performance
• Develop and deliver short-, medium- and long-term business strategies
• Drive profitable growth through existing customers and new markets
• Produce robust budgets, forecasts and performance plans
• Strengthen operational processes, controls and management information
• Lead continuous improvement and appropriate automation
• Build and retain a capable senior leadership team
• Ensure quality, delivery and customer service remain central to performance

Skills

Strategic leadership

P&L management

Executive communication

Growth strategy

Education

Relevant degree

Job description

Managing Director – Engineering & Manufacturing

Devon | Executive Salary + Benefits | Permanent

This is a rare opportunity to take the lead of an established, technically driven manufacturing business and shape its next phase of growth.

We are looking for an ambitious and commercially astute Managing Director who can combine strategic leadership with a firm grip on operational and financial performance. You will have the authority to set direction, strengthen the leadership team, and build a business capable of delivering sustainable, profitable growth.

This is not a role for someone who wants to lead from a distance. We need a visible and accountable Managing Director who understands how a high-performing manufacturing operation works, knows which questions to ask, and is prepared to make well-informed decisions.

The opportunity

Reporting to the Group CEO, you will assume full responsibility for the performance and future direction of the business. You will develop and deliver a clear growth strategy while ensuring the company has the people, processes and commercial discipline required to achieve it.

You will inherit a capable team and an established operation, but there is genuine scope to make your mark—improving performance, developing new opportunities, and creating a stronger, more scalable organisation.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Taking full ownership of the company’s financial, commercial, and operational performance
• Developing and delivering short-, medium- and long-term business strategies
• Driving profitable growth through existing customers, new markets, and business development
• Producing robust budgets, forecasts, and performance plans
• Using meaningful KPIs to create accountability and improve decision-making
• Strengthening operational processes, controls, and management information
• Identifying and mitigating commercial, financial, and operational risk
• Developing strong, sustainable relationships with customers and strategic partners
• Leading continuous improvement, innovation, and appropriate automation
• Building, developing, and retaining a capable senior leadership team
• Creating a culture that combines high expectations with support, honesty, and accountability
• Ensuring quality, delivery and customer service remain central to business performance

About you

You will already have operated in a senior leadership position within an engineering, electronics, or technically complex manufacturing environment. This could be as a Managing Director, General Manager, Business Unit Director, Operations Director or similar.

Most importantly, you will be able to demonstrate that you have improved a business—not simply maintained one.

We are looking for someone with:

• A strong record of delivering profitable growth
• Broad commercial, operational and financial leadership experience
• The ability to understand and manage a full P&L
• Experience developing and implementing business strategy
• A thorough understanding of engineering or manufacturing operations
• The confidence to challenge established thinking and address underperformance
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to turn data into decisive action
• Experience leading teams through growth, change or transformation
• The ability to attract talent and develop high-performing people
• Sound commercial judgement and a calculated approach to risk
• A demanding but supportive leadership style
• High emotional intelligence, integrity and resilience
• Excellent communication skills across employees, customers and senior stakeholders

A relevant degree would be advantageous, although substantial experience operating successfully at this level will be equally valued.

Why consider this opportunity?

This is a genuine leadership appointment with the scope to influence the entire organisation. You will have the freedom to shape strategy, improve performance and build a business that is stronger, more profitable and ready for its next stage of development.

For a commercially minded manufacturing leader who wants real ownership, accountability and the opportunity to leave a lasting mark, this represents an outstanding next move.

Location: Devon
Contract: Permanent, full-time
Package: £100k + full benefits

All applications and initial conversations will be handled in the strictest confidence.