General Manager – Dometic UK/US Blind Systems in Crawley

General Manager – Dometic UK/US Blind Systems

Purpose

The General Manager is fully accountable for the overall performance of the Dometic UK/US Blind Systems business, with full responsibility for the Profit & Loss (P&L), strategic direction, operational excellence and sustainable growth. The role ensures compliance with all applicable legal, regulatory and corporate governance requirements while fostering a high-performance culture aligned with Dometic's values.

Reporting to the Vice President Marine EMEA, the General Manager is a key member of the EMEA Marine Leadership Team, responsible for driving business performance, operational excellence, customer satisfaction and long-term value creation across manufacturing operations in the United Kingdom and the United States.

Please note this is a fully onsite based role.

Reporting Structure

Reports to

Vice President Marine EMEA

Direct Reports

• Operations Manager
• Quality Lead
• Head of Design & Engineering
• Financial Controller
• Sales Director
• Product Manager
• General Manager – Dometic US Blind Systems

Dotted Line Reports

• HR Advisor
• Marketing Coordinator – Marine EMEA

Key Relationships

Internal

• Vice President Marine EMEA
• EMEA Marine Leadership Team
• Global Marine Division Leadership
• Operations, Engineering, Sales, Finance, HR, Supply Chain, Procurement, Quality and Marketing leaders
• UK and US site leadership teams
• Corporate functional leaders

External

• Customers
• Suppliers
• Strategic partners
• Industry consultants
• Regulatory and government authorities
• Industry associations
• External auditors
• Local community representatives where appropriate

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Provide inspirational leadership consistent with Dometic's Purpose, Vision and Values.
• Develop and execute the business strategy aligned with the Marine Division and Group objectives.
• Deliver sustainable profitable growth through operational excellence, innovation and customer focus.
• Identify new business opportunities, strategic partnerships and market expansion initiatives.
• Drive organisational effectiveness through a high-performance culture focused on accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Contribute as an active member of the EMEA Marine Leadership Team.

Financial & Commercial Leadership

• Hold full accountability for the business P&L.
• Deliver agreed revenue, profitability, cash flow and business performance objectives.
• Develop annual budgets, forecasts and long-term strategic plans.
• Optimise working capital, inventory and capital investment.
• Drive productivity improvements and cost optimisation initiatives.
• Ensure effective financial governance and internal controls.
• Review commercial performance and ensure appropriate pricing, margin and contract management strategies.

Manufacturing & Operational Excellence

• Lead manufacturing operations across Selsey, West Sussex (UK) and Vermont (USA).
• Ensure safe, efficient and high-quality manufacturing operations.
• Drive Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement initiatives across all functions.
• Optimise productivity, quality, delivery performance and manufacturing efficiency.
• Ensure production capacity supports future business growth.
• Promote operational excellence through effective performance management and structured problem solving.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant legal, regulatory and environmental requirements.

Sales & Customer Leadership

• Build strong strategic relationships with key customers.
• Ensure exceptional customer service and delivery performance.
• Support the sales organisation in achieving sustainable revenue growth.
• Monitor market trends, competitor activity and customer requirements.
• Work closely with product management and engineering teams to identify future market opportunities.

People Leadership

• Build, lead and develop a high-performing leadership team.
• Create an engaging culture focused on performance, collaboration and accountability.
• Coach, mentor and develop future leaders.
• Drive succession planning and talent development.
• Promote diversity, inclusion and employee engagement.
• Ensure performance management processes are consistently applied.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning and professional development.

Health, Safety & Environment (HSE)

• Champion a proactive safety-first culture across all business operations.
• Ensure compliance with all health, safety and environmental legislation and Dometic policies.
• Drive continuous improvement in workplace safety and environmental performance.
• Ensure all employees understand and fulfil their HSE responsibilities.
• Lead investigations into significant safety incidents and ensure corrective actions are implemented.
• Promote employee wellbeing and a safe working environment.

Governance & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all legal, regulatory and corporate governance requirements.
• Maintain appropriate business controls and risk management processes.
• Protect company assets and ensure robust internal controls.
• Ensure compliance with Dometic policies, ethical standards and Code of Conduct.
• Support internal and external audit requirements.

Stakeholder Management

• Represent Dometic with customers, suppliers, government agencies and industry organisations.
• Build effective relationships with key stakeholders across the business.
• Collaborate closely with peers across the Marine Division.
• Act as ambassador for Dometic within the industry.
• Support strategic business projects and initiatives where required.

Continuous Improvement & Transformation

• Lead business transformation initiatives that improve efficiency and competitiveness.
• Drive digitalisation and process optimisation initiatives.
• Encourage innovation across manufacturing, engineering and commercial activities.
• Build a culture of continuous improvement using Lean methodologies and best practice.

Travel

• Regular travel within the UK, Europe and the United States will be required.
• Occasional international travel, evening and weekend work may be necessary.

Decision-Making Authority

The General Manager operates with significant autonomy within the agreed business strategy and governance framework and is accountable for decisions relating to:

• Overall business strategy and execution.
• Full Profit & Loss performance.
• Operating and capital expenditure budgets within delegated authority.
• Organisational structure and resource planning.
• Recruitment, succession planning and leadership appointments.
• Manufacturing and operational priorities.
• Commercial negotiations and customer relationships.
• Continuous improvement and capital investment initiatives.
• Risk management and business continuity planning.

Qualifications & Experience

• MBA, Master's Degree in Engineering, Business Administration or a related discipline, or equivalent executive leadership experience.
• Minimum five years' experience in a senior leadership role with full P&L accountability.
• Significant experience leading manufacturing operations within a complex, multi-site manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated success in strategic planning, business transformation and operational execution.
• Strong commercial acumen with experience in a B2B manufacturing environment.
• Experience leading organisational change and continuous improvement programmes.
• Proven experience developing high-performing leadership teams.
• Excellent communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience operating within an international matrix organisation is desirable.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Operational Excellence and Continuous Improvement methodologies is highly desirable.

Competencies & Success Factors

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Strategic and commercial thinking.
• Strong financial and business acumen.
• Inspirational leadership.
• Results orientation.
• Customer focus.
• Excellent decision-making capability.
• High emotional intelligence.
• Outstanding communication and influencing skills.
• Strong negotiation skills.
• Change leadership capability.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across global matrix organisations.
• Innovation and continuous improvement mindset.
• High integrity and accountability.
• Excellent planning and organisational capability.
• Resilience and adaptability.
• Ability to develop and retain high-performing teams.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and ability to quickly adopt new business systems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

Values & Behaviours

The General Manager is expected to consistently demonstrate behaviours aligned with Dometic's values

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Company car allowance
• Half day Fridays
• Employee discount
• Free parking
• Death in service cover
• Bonus scheme
• Life insurance
• On-site parking
• Sick pay