UK General Manager

Jonathan Lee Recruitment; Kingswinford; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment consultancy is seeking an experienced UK General Manager for a fast-growing manufacturer. The ideal candidate will be hands-on with strong manufacturing strategy skills and P&L accountability to drive growth across the business. Responsibilities include managing operations, leading teams, and ensuring compliance with policies to optimize productivity and safety standards.

Qualifications

• Experience in a manufacturing environment is essential.
• Must be a hands-on, capable team player.
• Ability to communicate from shop floor to board level.

Responsibilities

• Drive manufacturing strategy for the site.
• Ensure policies maximized for safety, quality, and productivity.
• Collaborate with internal functions for strategic goals.

Skills

Manufacturing strategy

P&L accountability

Leadership

Supply chain management

Change management

Job description

UK General Manager

In support of a PE-backed, UK-headquartered, fast-growth, global, precision pressing and stamping manufacturer and distributor, we are seeking a new UK General Manager to continue the business's plan for growth (medical / industrial / other sectors), both organically and through diversification into new market sectors.

Supporting their existing manufacturing site in the West Midlands, this role requires an experienced, hands‑on, capable team player who will need to be practical, analytical and be capable of driving manufacturing strategy for this site. Reporting to the CEO and with close liaison with their sister site in East Europe, having strong manufacturing credentials you should be capable of hitting the ground running and be able to communicate at all levels from shop floor to Board level.

Dealing with manufacturing, supply chain and customer requirements, you should be capable of managing a site operation and be able to delegate effectively. With full P&L accountability, you will ensure policies and procedures are followed and developed to maximize stewardship, safety, quality and productivity.

Having an open, transparent and direct management style, you will have a high standard of integrity and business ethics and will be a hands‑on 'doer' and agent for change. Key responsibilities are Safety 1st, First Class Customer Satisfaction, Predictable Growth in EBITDA, Environmental & Social Responsibility.

In addition:

Key Relationships

• Working directly for the CEO and in partnership with the Senior Leadership Team in defining and deploying strategic business goals
• Directly leading and managing a range of internal functions and departments
• Collaborate with Sales, Engineering, HR and functional managers internationally

Governance / Leadership

• Work in collaboration with CEO to define and compile UK budget
• Lead UK business to deliver Group strategic drivers and delegate as required
• Coach and develop employees to optimise their capabilities
• Embrace and build inclusive culture within the site and intercompany with sister sites
• Complete performance reviews and address employees' issues or grievances and manage with HR
• Implement strategies in alignment with company initiatives

Supply Chain

• Control company costs, introducing tactical initiatives to improve cost effectiveness and gross margin, ensuring robust commercial systems and accurately processing of customer forecast/demand analysis and management into MRP/MPS
• Drive and migrate business tracking tools and report into Group ERP/MRP business system
• Evaluate and understand all aspects of commercial, financial and operational due diligence related to supplier performance, including but limited to (T&Cs, price, quality, delivery performance and ESG compliance)

Operations

• Safety first
• Collaborate with Sales and Engineering; effectively and efficiently managing NPI launch to production
• Assessing and implementing improved processes and new technologies, making change in the business to further develop a world class manufacturing centre of excellence
• Drive the company's operating capabilities to exceed customer satisfaction and retention, and company goals - allocating resources effectively
• Manage optimised number of qualified and competent tool room staff to maintain, overhaul and repair production tooling on all shifts
• Champion and collaborate with engineering on continuous improvement activities in all areas of production to improve labour productivity and efficiency
• Manage and continue to develop systems and processes that track and optimize productivity and standards, metrics and performance targets to ensure effective return on assets. Stay up to date with latest production management best practices and concepts

To support this role, candidates should be suitably qualified and have an experience range which supports an SME working, manufacturing environment and culture. Operationally focused, the character and style of the candidate should complement the business and goals moving forward. Ability to engage with personnel at all levels is essential. This is a site-based role.

Your CV will be forwarded to Jonathan Lee Recruitment, a leading engineering and manufacturing recruitment consultancy established in 1978. The services advertised by Jonathan Lee Recruitment are those of an Employment Agency. In order for your CV to be processed effectively, please ensure your name, email address, phone number and location (post code OR town OR county, as a minimum) are included.