General Manager

Euro London Appointments Ltd; Poznań; On-site; PLN 250,000 - 450,000; Full time

Job summary

Euro London Appointments Ltd seeks a General Manager to drive growth for its Polish entity and the CEE region. The role leads a 25-strong team across sales, marketing, export, logistics, finance and warehouse operations, with full P&L responsibility and clear growth targets.

Based in Poznan, the GM will develop and implement a regional growth strategy, manage budgets, and build strong distributor networks while coordinating with international teams. Fluency in Polish and English is expected.

Qualifications

• Previous GM experience in the DIY retail distribution sector is essential.
• Experience managing full P&L and budgets.
• Ability to design and execute a growth strategy.
• Strong cross-functional leadership across sales, marketing, logistics and finance.

Responsibilities

• Lead Polish BU with ~25 employees across sales, marketing, export, logistics, finance and warehouse.
• P&L responsibility and delivery of growth targets for Poland and CEE.
• Develop and implement commercial strategy with distributors and key accounts.
• Manage budgets, financial reporting and cost control.
• Coordinate import, distribution and logistics with efficiency and compliance.
• Represent company in associations, organizations and conferences; build external relations.

Skills

GM experience in DIY retail/distrib

P&L management

Strategic growth planning

Team leadership

Job description

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.).

The role reports into the International Director based in France.

Role based in Poznan.

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).
• 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.

Profile Required

• Previous GM experience in the DIY retail distribution sector is essential
• 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

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.