Managing Director

SJS Recruitment; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 126,000 - 154,000; Full time

Job summary

SJS Recruitment is seeking a commercially strong, hands-on Managing Director to lead commercial and operational leadership in South/South West England. The role focuses on strengthening the organisation, improving performance and creating accountability for sustainable growth.

Initially, you will get close to the business—people, customers and operations—to define priorities, set direction and drive rapid, data-led decisions. Up-front leadership is essential to deliver outcomes.

Qualifications

• Senior leadership with P&L accountability over £50 million.
• Track record of improving profitability and commercial performance.
• Experience leading multi-site operations and developing strong leadership teams.
• Strong commercial judgement with understanding of operational performance and customer service.
• Ability to create clarity, accountability and measurable performance improvements.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the senior leadership team with clear responsibilities and accountability.
• Build a positive, engaged, performance‑led culture across the organisation.
• Drive profitability through commercial judgement, financial discipline and efficiency.
• Improve operational effectiveness, productivity and customer service.
• Define the future commercial and strategic direction of the business.
• Ensure the organisation delivers consistently without over‑reliance on the MD.

Job description

Managing Director – Commercial & Operational Leadership

South/South West England | Up to £140,000 + Package

We are partnering with an established, operationally complex business to appoint an experienced Managing Director to lead the next stage of its development.

This is a substantial business with a strong customer base and significant opportunity ahead. The priority is to strengthen the organisation, improve commercial and operational performance, and create the leadership, culture and accountability required for sustainable, profitable growth.

This is not an armchair Managing Director role.

During the first 6 months, you will be expected to get close to the business – its people, customers and operations – understand what is working and what needs to change, and create greater clarity, pace and accountability across the organisation.

Key priorities will include:

• Leading and developing the senior leadership team, creating clear responsibilities and accountability.
• Building a positive, engaged and performance-led culture.
• Driving sustainable profitability through strong commercial judgement, financial discipline and operational efficiency.
• Improving operational effectiveness, productivity and customer service.
• Making confident, data-led decisions and challenging established ways of working.
• Defining a clear customer proposition and delivering the future commercial and strategic direction of the business.
• Building an organisation capable of delivering consistently without being overly dependent on the Managing Director.

About You

We are looking for a commercially strong, hands-on senior leader who has successfully led a complex, fast-moving and operationally intensive business.

We are particularly interested in candidates from B2B distribution, wholesale, logistics, industrial distribution and other commercially driven, service-led businesses.

You will bring:

• Proven experience in a senior leadership position within a business generating turnover in excess of £50 million, with significant P&L accountability.
• A demonstrable track record of improving profitability and commercial performance.
• Experience leading multi-site operations and developing strong leadership teams.
• Strong commercial judgement combined with a genuine understanding of operational performance and customer service.
• Experience creating clarity, accountability and measurable performance improvements.
• The ability to engage people at every level, build confidence and lead meaningful change.

You will be comfortable getting into the detail when required, while retaining the ability to step back, set direction and bring people with you.

Importantly, we are looking for someone who can be bold and decisive without being a steamroller – an engaging leader who sets high standards, makes difficult decisions when required and creates an environment where good people can perform.

This is a significant leadership opportunity for someone who enjoys being close to the business, thrives on making things happen and wants to make a tangible impact.

Due to the volume of applications, we can only respond to successful candidates. Therefore, if we do not make contact within 5 working days this means your application was not successful. We are more than happy to discuss why if you would like to contact us.