Managing Director – Growth, Innovation & Operational Excellence

Parkinson | Lee Executive Search; England; On-site; GBP 140,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading executive search firm is seeking a Managing Director for a highly successful manufacturing business in Staffordshire. The ideal candidate will have proven experience in a senior leadership role within manufacturing, with a focus on growth through innovation and strategic direction. This position offers a competitive package including a salary of £140,000 plus bonus and benefits. It's a unique opportunity to shape the future of a digitally enabled company poised for expansion.

Benefits

Bonus

LTIP

Pension

Car / Car Allowance

Holiday + Benefits

Qualifications

• Proven track record as an MD, GM, or senior divisional leader in manufacturing.
• Sector experience in Building Products or high-volume manufacturing sectors.
• Strong experience in scaling businesses through innovation and digitisation.

Responsibilities

• Lead the business through its next stage of growth.
• Drive growth through new market entry and brand development.
• Manage operational excellence and optimize manufacturing output.

Skills

Proven track record in manufacturing leadership

Strong experience in scaling businesses

Exceptional commercial acumen

Inspirational leadership style

Job description

Managing Director – Growth, Innovation & Operational Excellence

Package: £140,000 + Bonus, LTIP, Pension, Car / Car Allowance, Holiday + Benefits.

About the Company

Our client is a market-leading, UK-based manufacturing business with a strong reputation for quality craftsmanship, customer service, and product innovation. The company has successfully embraced digital technologies to transform its customer journey, enabling seamless online engagement and precision manufacturing. With strong foundations in place, it is poised for its next major growth phase, expanding markets, diversifying products, and increasing manufacturing capacity.

The Role

We are seeking a proven Managing Director to lead the business through its next stage of growth. Reporting to the Group CEO, you will have full responsibility for the P&L, strategic direction, operational performance, and cultural evolution of the company.

Your focus will include:

• Driving growth through new market entry, product diversification, and brand development.
• Elevating sales & marketing performance, building stronger routes to market, and expanding reach.
• Leading operational excellence, optimising manufacturing output, improving efficiency, and ensuring capacity meets demand.
• Leveraging data, insights, and digital innovation to drive performance and enhance customer experience.
• Supporting M&A activity, from target evaluation to integration.
• Developing a high-performance culture, building on the business’s strong heritage while fostering a forward-thinking, growth mindset.
• Managing capital investment to ensure sustainable, profitable growth.

About You

• Proven track record as an MD, GM, or senior divisional leader in manufacturing.
• Sector experience inBuilding Products such as Kitchen, Windows, Home Furnishings is desirable, though we also welcome applications from Automotive, Aerospace, Consumer Goods, Furniture, or other high-volume manufacturing sectors.
• Strong experience in scaling businesses through innovation, digitisation, and cultural transformation.
• Exceptional commercial acumen with full P&L responsibility.
• Inspirational leadership style with a track record of developing people and teams.

The Opportunity

This is a rare opportunity to take the helm of a highly successful, digitally enabled manufacturing business at a pivotal point in its journey. You will have the scope, autonomy, and resources to shape the future direction, drive sustainable growth, and deliver a lasting legacy.

Location: Staffordshire

Sector: Manufacturing

Please note you will be required to complete an NDA as part of this recruitment process.