General Manager / Head of Division
Overview
Our client is a long‑established and highly respected business operating across wholesale, distribution, and retail channels, serving the construction, building trade, and commercial sectors.
As part of its continued evolution and growth, the business is seeking to appoint a commercially driven General Manager / Head of Division to lead a key business unit and shape its next phase of development.
This is a rare opportunity to lead and shape a business within a business — combining full commercial accountability with the ability to influence strategy, supplier innovation, and long‑term growth.
This is a senior leadership role with full ownership of operational and commercial performance, offering the opportunity to combine day‑to‑day leadership of a substantial business unit with the strategic development of its future direction.
The Role
Reporting to senior leadership, the General Manager / Head of Division will operate as the leader of a significant business unit, with full accountability for sales, profitability, and EBITDA performance.
This role combines the breadth of a General Manager with the commercial sharpness of a Category Leader — balancing operational control with the responsibility for setting direction and delivering growth.
A central focus will be to further strengthen the division’s operating model while ensuring both internal excellence and the development of new, profitable growth avenues are delivered in parallel.
Working closely with procurement, operations, and central support functions (finance, HR, and marketing), the role will play a key part in strengthening both internal capability and market‑facing impact.
Key Responsibilities
Commercial Ownership & Growth
Full accountability for commercial performance, margin delivery, and EBITDA
Set and deliver the commercial agenda to drive strong, profitable growth across customer segments and channels
Strengthen the division’s market position through clear prioritisation, disciplined execution, and focused category direction
Market, Customer & Supplier Leadership
Lead from the front in developing deep, insight‑led engagement with key customers
Establish and own strategic supplier partnerships focused on joint business planning, innovation, and competitive differentiation
Drive the introduction of new products, technologies, and sustainable solutions aligned with evolving market demand
Operational & Organisational Excellence
Define and embed a structured, scalable operating model across the division
Set high standards for clarity of roles, processes, and performance management
Ensure strong operational cadence, visibility, and quality of decision‑making
Leadership & Culture
Set clear expectations and drive accountability for performance and delivery across the team
Build a culture of ownership, pace, and commercial focus
Develop capability, strengthen succession, and raise the overall performance bar across the function
Entrepreneurial Leadership & Innovation
Bring an entrepreneurial approach to identifying and delivering step‑change opportunities across the division over the medium term
Develop and execute initiatives that expand the business through new products, customer segments, routes to market, and value‑added services
Leverage supplier relationships to unlock innovation, exclusivity, and differentiated propositions
Combine commercial instinct with disciplined execution — ensuring ideas translate into tangible, profitable outcomes
Create an environment where new thinking is encouraged, tested, and embedded, while maintaining focus on delivery and performance
Play a leading role in positioning the division to respond to evolving customer needs, technology shifts, and sustainability opportunities
Candidate Profile
The successful candidate will be a commercially astute and credible leader with a proven track record of managing and growing a business unit within a customer‑focused, operational environment.
They will combine strategic clarity with decisive execution, and will be comfortable setting direction, making calls, and delivering results in a dynamic environment.
Key Attributes
Proven experience managing a business unit with full P&L / EBITDA responsibility
Strong commercial instinct with the ability to drive consistent, profitable growth
Ability to set direction, prioritise effectively, and deliver through others
Experience working cross‑functionally, particularly with procurement, operations, and sales
Track record of strengthening organisational effectiveness, processes, and performance standards
Demonstrated entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to deliver step‑change growth
Strong leadership presence with the ability to engage, challenge, and align stakeholders
High levels of ownership, energy, and ambition
Experience & Background
Candidates will typically come from sectors such as:
Construction / Building Materials
Builders’ Merchants / Trade Retail
Distribution / Supply Chain
Manufacturing or related industries
What’s on Offer
Senior leadership role with full commercial and operational accountability
Opportunity to lead and shape a strong business unit with significant growth potential
High visibility and influence across the wider organisation
Platform for long‑term career progression
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