Our client, an international leader in woodworking, paints and advanced surface-coating solutions, is seeking a General Manager to drive growth within their Polish entity and CEE region (Hungary, Czech Rep, Slovakia, Romania, Croatia and the Baltics).
You will lead the Polish Business Unit, composed of a team of c.25 employees in sales, key account management, marketing, export, logistics, finance and warehouse operations. You will have full P&L responsibility (13M€ turnover in 2025) and will lead the Polish and CEE region both strategically and operationally to ensure growth targets are achieved.
Candidates must have a background in selling into large retail DIY distribution groups (e.g Leroy Merlin, Castorama etc.). You will also develop the e-commerce distribution channels.
The role reports into the International Director based in France.
Key Responsibilities:
Company management:
- Implement the ongoing strategy for the business unit and propose necessary amendments.
- Provide leadership to ensure execution of plans (organize structure, set up processes)
- Prepare, negotiate, manage and control all the budgets of the business unit.
- Ensure the achievement of financial results according to the business plan.
- Financial Reporting & Budgeting: P&L responsibility, follow up the delegated market expenses and costs of sales with the sense of cost effectiveness.
- Manage and control the sales and the marketing function of the business unit.
- Develop the business following Group brand strategies and guidelines.
- Cooperate with other countries as well as with the International Team.
- Represent the Company in crucial Associations, Organizations and Conferences. Build strong relations with them.
- Ensure timely and efficient import, distribution, and delivery of products by ensuring control over logistics (Distribution and Customs)
- People Management: hire and manage the local team. Lead on recruitment, performance management, coaching and training of employees
Internal and external sales
- Develop and implement an optimal commercial strategy both in Poland and the CEE region.
- Enable business development by establishing effective relationships with distributors: negotiating budgets, sales plans, and terms of cooperation, ensuring legal formalization of commercial agreements, attracting new clients.
- Develop Key Accounts, provide training, advice and solutions to distributors.
- Evaluate the Polish & Export market potential and competitors' activity. Assess opportunities to increase sales volume and market share.
- Strengthen sales and business development through modern channels (DIY).
- Grow e-commerce activity.
- Expand the Export area - through building strong Distributor networks in key countries (Balkans, Romania, Slovenia, Hungary, others) or via direct Sales.
- Set up financial objectives for the Sales and Marketing teams as well as for Key Partners/Distributors.
- Negotiate key contracts.
Profile Required
- Previous GM experience in the retail distribution sector
- Experience managing full P&L
- Ability to design the growth strategy, communicate it and transform into actions
- 360° vision of sales, marketing, logistics and finance
- Fluency in Polish and English. Understanding of the French language is a nice plus but not required
- Driving Licence
Remuneration: 410,000 PLN zł to 430,000 PLN zł basic + 15% bonus + company car + private health cover