General Manager

General Manager

Full-Time 60000 - 80000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
B

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead our Surfacing Solutions business, driving performance and delivering results across England & Wales.
  • Company: Join Breedon Group, a leader in high-quality asphalt surfacing services in the UK.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a company car, bonus scheme, private health insurance, and 25 days holiday.
  • Other info: Be part of a zero-harm culture focused on health, safety, and environmental excellence.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a key leadership role with excellent career growth opportunities.
  • Qualifications: Proven management experience in aggregates or contracting, with strong leadership and communication skills.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.

Breedon Group excels in delivering high-quality asphalt surfacing services across the UK, engaging in projects ranging from public highway constructions to residential and industrial developments. Our commitment to excellence ensures reliable and outstanding results for a diverse clientele, including both large-scale governmental contracts and private domestic projects.

We are currently seeking an experienced and commercially driven General Manager to lead our Surfacing Solutions business across England & Wales. This is a key senior leadership role with full accountability for strategic direction, operational delivery, and financial performance. We are looking for a strong and commercially astute leader with a proven track record in contracting or materials-based industries. You will bring strategic insight alongside hands-on operational expertise, enabling you to drive performance and deliver results. Confident in stakeholder engagement, you will have the ability to build strong relationships, negotiate effectively, and influence at all levels. With a solid understanding of contracting methods and industry standards, you will combine strong financial awareness with excellent communication skills to lead teams, manage performance, and deliver continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

  • Take a proactive leadership role in promoting and delivering key business initiatives.
  • Ensure full compliance with Health & Safety legislation, the Environmental Protection Act, and all relevant statutory requirements.
  • Lead continuous performance improvement, supporting the Group’s commitment to a zero-harm culture.
  • Effectively plan and manage resources (people, plant, and subcontractors) to maximise operational efficiency and financial performance.
  • Coach, manage, and develop a high-performing management team to achieve business objectives.
  • Build and maintain strong, mutually beneficial relationships with customers and key stakeholders.
  • Oversee and maintain the quality of all works to ensure consistent delivery standards.
  • Resolve commercial and operational disputes to optimise profitability and cash flow.
  • Communicate effectively across the wider business to maximise collaborative performance and alignment.
  • Develop and deliver the commercial strategy, ensuring it is regularly reviewed and enhanced.
  • Lead the annual budgeting process and maintain financial control across the division.
  • Ensure compliance with all duties under CDM regulations.
  • Lead the negotiation of major contracts at a senior level.

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise

We are seeking a candidate who brings a strong blend of leadership capability, technical expertise, and commercial awareness, ideally gained within the aggregates, asphalt, or wider contracting industry.

Qualifications & Experience:

  • Proven management experience within the aggregates, asphalt, or contracting sector.
  • Management qualification (e.g. CMI, ILM, NEBS, NVQ Level 4 or above) – desirable.
  • NEBOSH or IOSH qualification – desirable.
  • CSCS qualification.
  • Degree or equivalent (BSc/HND/HNC) or significant relevant industry experience.

Technical Knowledge:

  • Strong understanding of contracting methods, specifications, and commercial contracts.
  • High level of technical expertise, with the ability to apply this knowledge and develop others.
  • Sound understanding of industry standards, products, and specifications.

Skills & Capabilities:

  • Excellent people management skills, with the ability to lead, coach, and develop teams.
  • Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence at all levels.
  • Effective business and report writing capability.
  • Strong systems and IT literacy.
  • Commercially and financially astute, with experience in budgeting, forecasting, and financial performance management.
  • Strategic thinker with the ability to plan, prioritise, and deliver long-term business objectives.

The Group places the highest importance on sustained standards of excellence in all aspects of Health, Safety and Environmental management and you will be expected to contribute to the Company’s zero harm culture.

Job Benefits

  • Company Car or Car Allowance.
  • Bonus Scheme.
  • Private Health Insurance.
  • Digital GP.
  • 25 days holiday plus bank holidays.
  • Contributory Pension Scheme.
  • Free on-site Parking.
  • Holiday Buy Scheme.
  • Volunteer Scheme.
  • Share Save Scheme.
  • Life Assurance.
  • Enhanced Maternity, Adoption & Paternity Scheme.
  • Health & Wellbeing Initiatives.
  • Discount Scheme.

General Manager employer: Breedon Group plc

Breedon Group is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment at our Breedon Head Office in Derbyshire. We prioritise employee growth through comprehensive training and development opportunities, alongside a strong commitment to health, safety, and environmental standards. With competitive benefits including a company car, private health insurance, and a bonus scheme, we foster a culture of excellence and collaboration, making it a rewarding place for leaders in the contracting industry to thrive.

B

Contact Details:

Breedon Group plc Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land General Manager

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry professionals on LinkedIn or at local events. Building relationships can open doors to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company inside out. Understand their projects, values, and challenges. This will help you tailor your responses and show them you’re genuinely interested in joining their team.

Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the role of General Manager. Highlight your leadership skills and how you’ve driven performance in past roles.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.

We think you need these skills to ace General Manager

Leadership Capability
Commercial Awareness
Technical Expertise
People Management Skills
Communication Skills
Negotiation Skills
Financial Performance Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the General Manager role. Highlight your leadership experience and any relevant achievements in the contracting or materials-based industries. We want to see how your skills align with our commitment to excellence!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for the role and how you can drive performance at Breedon. Don’t forget to mention your understanding of industry standards and your approach to stakeholder engagement.

Showcase Your Achievements:When detailing your experience, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your commercial awareness and operational expertise. We love numbers, so if you’ve improved efficiency or profitability, let us know the figures!

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you’re keen on joining the Breedon team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Breedon Group plc

Know Your Stuff

Make sure you have a solid understanding of the contracting methods and industry standards relevant to the role. Brush up on your technical knowledge about asphalt surfacing and be ready to discuss how you've applied this in previous roles.

Showcase Your Leadership Skills

Prepare examples that highlight your leadership capabilities. Think about times when you've successfully managed teams, resolved disputes, or driven performance improvements. Be ready to explain your approach to coaching and developing others.

Master Stakeholder Engagement

Since building relationships is key, think of specific instances where you've effectively engaged with stakeholders. Prepare to discuss how you negotiate contracts and influence decisions at all levels within an organisation.

Demonstrate Financial Acumen

Be prepared to talk about your experience with budgeting, forecasting, and financial performance management. Highlight any strategies you've implemented to optimise profitability and cash flow in past roles.