Chief Executive Officer

Chief Executive Officer

Hounslow Full-Time 72000 - 108000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a high-growth manufacturing company, driving M&A and operational excellence.
  • Company: Blair West supports a rapidly scaling manufacturer with strong client relationships.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a competitive package, equity participation, and autonomy in decision-making.
  • Why this job: Shape a market-leading group while fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
  • Qualifications: Proven CEO or COO experience in private equity-backed businesses with strong M&A track record.
  • Other info: Geographic flexibility is essential; onsite presence required 3-4 days a week.

The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.

Blair West is supporting a high growth specialised manufacturer of advanced components, in their search for a CEO.

The business has scaled rapidly whilst maintaining exceptional EBITDA margins and enjoys deeply embedded relationships with its internationally significant clients. This is a key leadership appointment, as the business completes a Private Equity investment round and embarks on a growth strategy comprising customer diversification, M&A, and investment in operational excellence that will result in a vertically integrated, market-leading Group. Geographic flexibility is essential and relocation may be required.

The opportunity:

  • Lead the business at the Group level, owning and delivering the overall Value Creation Plan in alignment with private equity stakeholders.
  • Drive M&A strategy, including identifying, evaluating, securing and integrating acquisitions across the UK and internationally.
  • Embed best-practice operational standards across multiple manufacturing sites to support scale and efficiency.
  • Build and develop a high-performing senior leadership team across key functions.
  • Champion continuous improvement, lean principles, and performance culture across the group.
  • Lead commercial negotiations with major customers and partners to drive profitable growth.
  • Deliver group-wide KPIs, ensuring data-led decisions and strong operational governance.
  • Represent the business to investors, stakeholders, and key customers.
  • Operate as a hands-on leader with presence across the organisation, on-site 3-4 days a week.

You’ll be the ideal candidate for this position if you have:

  • Proven experience as a CEO or COO within a private equity-backed business, ideally at a £20m+ EBITDA level.
  • A successful track record of delivering strategic M&A activity, including acquisition integration.
  • Experience leading scaled manufacturing operations.
  • Strong background in value creation planning and delivery across multiple sites.
  • Demonstrable success in implementing KPI frameworks and driving process improvements.
  • Experience leading commercial negotiations and securing major contracts.
  • A people-first leadership style, with the ability to motivate, develop and retain senior teams.
  • Willingness to be based onsite 3–4 days per week and travel as required. Geographic flexibility is key to success in this role as it is based in a relatively remote location and will be supplemented by further acquisitions across a diverse geography.

The benefits included with this opportunity:

  • Significant opportunity to lead a high-growth, PE-backed organisation with autonomy and board-level influence.
  • Competitive package with equity participation.
  • Direct access to a highly supportive and ambitious investment team.
  • Opportunity to shape and scale a business during an exciting growth journey.

Our commitment

Blair West is an equal-opportunity employer. We embrace diversity and inclusion at every stage of the recruitment process. We are committed to fairness, equality, and ongoing diversity training for our team to give our candidates and clients a feeling of belonging during their experience with us. Please speak to their consultant if you require reasonable adjustments at any stage during their experience with us.

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Chief Executive Officer employer: Blair West

Blair West offers an exceptional opportunity for a Chief Executive Officer to lead a high-growth, private equity-backed manufacturer of advanced components. With a strong focus on operational excellence and a commitment to employee development, the company fosters a dynamic work culture that values innovation and collaboration. The role provides significant autonomy, competitive compensation with equity participation, and the chance to shape the future of a market-leading group while working closely with a supportive investment team.
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Contact Detail:

Blair West Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Chief Executive Officer

✨Tip Number 1

Network with professionals in the private equity and manufacturing sectors. Attend industry conferences or events where you can meet key players and discuss your vision for growth and operational excellence.

✨Tip Number 2

Research the company’s recent M&A activities and understand their strategic goals. This will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their objectives during discussions.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare to demonstrate your hands-on leadership style by sharing specific examples of how you've successfully led teams and driven performance improvements in previous roles.

✨Tip Number 4

Be ready to discuss your approach to building a high-performing senior leadership team. Highlight your people-first leadership style and how it has contributed to retention and motivation in past positions.

We think you need these skills to ace Chief Executive Officer

Strategic Leadership
Private Equity Experience
M&A Strategy Development
Operational Excellence
Value Creation Planning
Financial Acumen
Performance Management
Commercial Negotiation Skills
Team Development and Leadership
Data-Driven Decision Making
Continuous Improvement Methodologies
Lean Manufacturing Principles
Stakeholder Engagement
Geographic Flexibility

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience as a CEO or COO, particularly in private equity-backed businesses. Emphasise your achievements in M&A, operational excellence, and value creation planning.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should reflect your leadership style and how it aligns with the company's vision. Discuss your approach to building high-performing teams and driving continuous improvement.

Highlight Geographic Flexibility: Since geographic flexibility is essential for this role, clearly state your willingness to relocate and travel as required. This shows your commitment to the position and understanding of the company's needs.

Showcase Relevant Achievements: In your application, include specific examples of successful commercial negotiations and KPI frameworks you've implemented. Quantify your successes where possible to demonstrate your impact on previous organisations.

How to prepare for a job interview at Blair West

✨Demonstrate Strategic Vision

As a CEO, it's crucial to showcase your ability to develop and execute a strategic vision. Be prepared to discuss your previous experiences in leading growth strategies, particularly in M&A and operational excellence, and how these align with the company's goals.

✨Showcase Leadership Style

Highlight your people-first leadership approach. Share examples of how you've motivated and developed senior teams in the past, as well as how you plan to build a high-performing leadership team in this new role.

✨Prepare for Commercial Negotiations

Expect to discuss your experience in leading commercial negotiations. Prepare specific examples of major contracts you've secured and how you navigated complex discussions to drive profitable growth.

✨Emphasise Geographic Flexibility

Given the geographic flexibility required for this role, be ready to address your willingness to relocate or travel as needed. Discuss any previous experiences that demonstrate your adaptability in different locations or markets.

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