Regional Business Manager

Macfarlane Group; Heywood; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Company car or cash allowance

Contributory pension scheme

Free parking

Employee Assistance Programme

Training and career development

Job summary

Macfarlane Group is seeking a Regional Business Manager for the Northwest Regional Distribution Centre in Heywood. You will oversee sales, procurement and logistics, setting strategic direction to achieve sustainable growth and profitability. Lead a high‑performing team, ensuring safety and operational excellence.

You will drive customer relationships, implement business plans, and manage budgets while aligning with Group strategy and values. Strong leadership and commercial acumen are essential.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a senior general management, site management or regional leadership role with commercial and operational accountability.
• Strong track record of leading sales teams and delivering sustainable revenue and profit growth.
• Experience managing a sizeable distribution, logistics or fast-moving B2B operation.
• Commercial and financial acumen, including experience of managing P&L performance, budgets and business plans.

Responsibilities

• Lead the overall commercial and operational performance of the Heywood Regional Distribution Centre, with full P&L accountability.
• Develop and deliver the site's annual business plan, setting clear sales, margin, service and profitability objectives.
• Lead and develop the local sales function, driving new business, customer retention, account growth and commercial performance.
• Take personal ownership of key strategic customer relationships and lead major account reviews and commercial opportunities where appropriate.
• Oversee procurement, logistics and wider operational activity, ensuring effective coordination and consistently high service levels.
• Analyse financial and commercial performance, taking proactive action to maximise sales, margin and site profitability.
• Identify new revenue opportunities and alternative sources of income to support sustainable growth.
• Encourage effective use of the Innovation Lab to support consultative customer engagement and solution-led sales.
• Build strong relationships with customers, suppliers and internal stakeholders, promoting collaboration and sharing best practice across the wider Group.
• Lead talent management, succession planning, performance management and recruitment across the site.
• Maintain high standards of Health & Safety, security, compliance and people management, whilst monitoring performance and addressing emerging risks.
• Promote a positive, high-performance culture aligned to Macfarlane's values and focused on exceptional customer service.

Skills

Sales leadership

P&L management

Strategic planning

People management

Operations management

Budgeting

Stakeholder management

Negotiation

Job description

Package: Attractive basic salary with lucrative OTE+ plus company car or allowance & flexible benefits package including up to 27 days holiday (plus additional annual leave purchasing scheme)

Hours: Full time, Monday to Friday

Sector: Packaging Distribution & Solutions

Protecting what matters, together

We're dedicated to protecting what matters most - our people, our customers, our communities and the environment. At Macfarlane Packaging, our commitment to customer satisfaction, sustainability and continual improvement creates a highly collaborative, supportive and friendly workplace where you can unpack a career that grows.

With over 75 years of heritage, we combine the stability of an established market leader with the ambition and pace of a business focused on continued growth. Our fast-paced, results-driven environment will challenge and stretch you, whilst providing genuine opportunities for personal and professional development.

We provide competitive rewards and flexible benefits, alongside a culture that values commitment, teamwork, adaptability and continuous improvement. If you're a commercially astute leader who enjoys developing people, growing customers and improving business performance, this could be an excellent opportunity for you.

The Regional Business Manager Role

Reporting to the Group Regional Director, this is a senior leadership role with full commercial and operational responsibility for our flagship Northwest Regional Distribution Centre in Heywood.

With P&L accountability, you'll lead the site's sales, procurement and logistics functions, setting the strategic direction and ensuring sustainable, profitable growth. You'll combine strategic leadership with a hands-on approach, personally influencing sales performance, customer relationships, service excellence, operational standards and cost control.

A key part of your role will be leading and developing a high-performing team, creating a positive and accountable culture whilst ensuring the site operates safely, efficiently and in line with wider Macfarlane Group strategy.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the overall commercial and operational performance of the Heywood Regional Distribution Centre, with full P&L accountability.


• Develop and deliver the site's annual business plan, setting clear sales, margin, service and profitability objectives.


• Lead and develop the local sales function, driving new business, customer retention, account growth and commercial performance.


• Take personal ownership of key strategic customer relationships and lead major account reviews and commercial opportunities where appropriate.


• Oversee procurement, logistics and wider operational activity, ensuring effective coordination and consistently high service levels.


• Analyse financial and commercial performance, taking proactive action to maximise sales, margin and site profitability.


• Identify new revenue opportunities and alternative sources of income to support sustainable growth.


• Encourage effective use of the Innovation Lab to support consultative customer engagement and solution-led sales.


• Build strong relationships with customers, suppliers and internal stakeholders, promoting collaboration and sharing best practice across the wider Group.


• Lead talent management, succession planning, performance management and recruitment across the site.


• Maintain high standards of Health & Safety, security, compliance and people management, whilst monitoring performance and addressing emerging risks.


• Promote a positive, high-performance culture aligned to Macfarlane's values and focused on exceptional customer service.

What You Will Bring

• Proven experience in a senior general management, site management or regional leadership role with commercial and operational accountability.


• A strong track record of leading and developing sales teams and delivering sustainable revenue and profit growth.


• Experience managing a sizeable distribution, logistics or fast-moving B2B operation.


• Commercial and financial acumen, including experience of managing P&L performance, budgets, margins and business plans.


• The ability to balance strategic thinking with a hands-on, highly visible leadership approach.


• Strong customer relationship, negotiation and business development skills.


• Proven experience of coaching, developing and motivating teams, including talent management and succession planning.


• Excellent communication, stakeholder management and decision-making skills.


• A strong commitment to Health & Safety, operational excellence and continuous improvement.

Packaging experience would be advantageous but is not essential. We would particularly welcome applications from leaders with experience gained within fast-moving distribution, wholesale, logistics or similarly customer-focused B2B environments. You should live within a reasonable commuting distance of our Heywood site, typically within less than one hour, or be genuinely open to relocating to the area. A valid UK driving licence is essential.

What You Will Get

• 25 days annual leave (rising to 27 days with service) plus all public/bank holidays


• Additional Holiday Purchasing Scheme


• Company car or cash allowance (including electric options)


• Contributory pension scheme


• Free parking at the majority of our site locations


• Annual paid Volunteering Day


• Employee Assistance Programme


• Extensive training, leadership development and career progression opportunities


• Employee discount scheme across major retail and leisure brands


• Simply Health/Dental Cover option or BUPA cover for qualifying roles


• Enhanced HR policies and family-friendly benefits


• Long service awards


• Charitable giving options


• Financial support with eye tests and DSE glasses


• EE Mobile discount scheme


• Candidate referral scheme (£750 reward)

Your Future With Us

At Macfarlane Group, our senior leaders play a critical role in shaping the future of the business. This is an opportunity to take genuine ownership of a significant regional operation whilst benefiting from the scale, stability and continued growth of a successful PLC.

You’ll have access to structured leadership development, ongoing professional development and genuine opportunities to broaden your career across the wider Group as your experience and ambitions develop.

We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, nationality, ethnicity, gender expression, religion or sexual orientation. Should you require any specific support or adjustments during the recruitment process, please email our recruitment team directly.