This is an excellent opportunity to lead a subsidiary of a long-established regional business.
- Southern-based business – supplying throughout the South, South East, Home Counties and into the Midlands
- Huge growth potential given the wider business's huge customer base
- An experienced leader of a business/business unit that supplies interior products or services to medium-sized builders/regional HB/Developers.
- Entrepreneurial/creative/driven/innovative/ambitious/collaborative (with the wider business), customer focused, results orientated, not just strategic but action-focused/energetic & positive
The company have a long history combined with a track record of growth (both organic and acquisitive) in recent years. The next few years could be even more exciting for them!
This is a broad role with full P&L and strategic responsibility to grow this business with support and investment from the parent company.
This is a key role and, needless to say, a very important piece of recruitment with a desire for a successful long-term appointment.
Personality type and cultural fit is even more important than the company’s potential candidates have worked for. The senior team (and indeed the entire business) would benefit from someone with high dominance and drive with an ability to challenge colleagues to ensure the business achieves its desired results.
The business has a fantastic opportunity to get more out of what they already have. It is estimated that from their top customers, they’re currently getting c25% of their spend. The goal is to increase this to 80%! To do this, the successful candidate will need to implement more discipline, structure and rigour without negatively affecting the culture which makes the business so special and why employees tend to stay for so long.
Potential candidates should be/have:
- Mid-career, with enough experience with a successful track record in a similar role (although we’re also open to someone with the right ability stepping up into this level for the first time)
- Know how to maximise trading and margin opportunities: cross-selling, up-selling, bundling etc. Delivering that strategy through diverse teams
- A good understanding of how such a business works. B2B or B2C multi-depot, multi-products into a variety of clients. We have a very open mind in terms of industry background – as mentioned, the personality & cultural fit is more important. Interior product would be useful: bathrooms, kitchens, flooring, surfaces, lighting etc.
- An appreciation of the balance between providing an excellent service whilst improving margin
- A track record of improving sales to existing customers within such organisations. Although it should be noted that this is not the business's sales leadership role. Ultimately, the whole business needs to be more sales-focused (in a profitable manner!)
- An inspiring and engaging leadership style, creating confidence and demonstrating credibility
- An ability to work at pace and successfully deliver the strategy
- An appreciation of the nature of a family-owned business with a long history and long-serving employees
- Resilience and tenacity
- Excited by the challenge
- Located within or easily commutable to the trading area (Southern England) and able to travel throughout the region and the network. This is a visible leadership role; an ivory tower approach will not work! HQ is south of the M4.
- Excellent communication skills
- High levels of emotional intelligence
- Able to cope with ambiguity, open-minded and flexible – helping to shape the full scope of the role and how it works alongside the rest of the senior team
- Able to balance risk and reward
- Know enough detail, but not be consumed by it
The Bottom Line
This is not a turnaround situation, nor does it require a revolution. It’s about building on what you have, improving it and identifying further areas for growth. The business is well placed with a capable senior team.
There is a competitive salary, bonus and benefits package. To apply please send your CV to imogen@wilsonbrook.com
