Managing Director - Light Engineering

ZipRecruiter; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A recruitment agency is seeking an experienced Managing Director to lead a profitable subcontract manufacturing business in Birmingham. The ideal candidate will possess a proven track record of driving growth, strong people-first leadership, and board-level experience. This is an exciting opportunity to take a well-run business and make it even stronger, with the autonomy and tools to succeed in a supportive environment.

Qualifications

• Proven track record of delivering top-line growth in subcontract engineering/manufacturing.
• People-first leadership style to inspire and lead the team.
• Essential board-level experience in relevant positions.

Responsibilities

• Drive top-line growth for a profitable subcontract manufacturing business.
• Inspire the team and generate innovative winning tenders.
• Utilise autonomy and support to optimise and grow the business.

Skills

Top-line growth delivery

People-first leadership

Board-level experience

Marketing engineering services

Job description

Overview

Managing Director – Light Engineering

Birmingham, B6 — Six-Figure Executive Package

Are you a creative, commercially driven leader?

We’re seeking an action oriented Managing Director to drive top-line growth for a profitable subcontract manufacturing business. Operating with the backing of a strong parent group yet enjoying full autonomy, this business is built on solid foundations, a legacy of the current incumbent:

• A highly efficient, well-invested manufacturing operation
• A motivated and experienced team
• Strong profitability and group support

However, growth has plateaued in the last 12–18 months. We now need an energetic, glass-half-full leader who can get the business in front of the right customers, inspire the team, and generate innovative, winning tenders in markets with long lead times and high tooling cost barriers to entry.

What you’ll bring

• Proven track record of delivering top-line growth in subcontract engineering/manufacturing – essential
• People-first leadership style – able to inspire, support, and lead from the front – essential
• Board-level experience (Managing Director, Sales, Marketing, or Commercial Director, or equivalent) – essential
• Deep understanding of marketing a manufacturing or engineering service to industrial markets – preferred
• Mechanical engineering background – preferred
• Experience across multiple sectors (Construction products, Off-highway, Powergen, Rail, OEM manufacture, Medical, Aerospace) – preferred

Why this role?

This is not a turnaround project. It’s an exciting opportunity to take a well-run, profitable business and make it even stronger.

With autonomy, support, and the tools to succeed, you’ll be empowered to optimise, grow, and create something truly special.

About 1492 Search

• In a nutshell – We discover great people! Created with the belief that the process is just as necessary as the opportunity, we decided there was a better recruitment method. Working solely in the manufacturing and engineering industry, we work on retained projects to provide accountability for every hire we make with you.
• We connect candidates and hiring managers, provide in-depth project management plans and advise through up to date market research. No two hires are the same, and that’s why each project is adapted to your needs. We aim to take the stress out of the hiring process and focus on the job at hand!

We aim to reply to all applications, successful or not, within 10 working days of applying for the role.

If you are not happy with the service, please feel free to give us a call or drop us an email.

1492 Ltd and its clients promote a policy of equal opportunities. Our policy is to treat job applicants and employees in the same way regardless of race, ethnic origin, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, or other protected characteristics.