Managing Director in City of London

Our client has an exciting opportunity to lead a newly established UK food distribution business.

Location: Initially home-based (UK). Future base likely near London / Midlands (with access to key ports such as Felixstowe and Tilbury).

Salary: Circa £90K. Job Type: Full Time, Permanent.

About The Company:

Our client is establishing a new UK-based food distribution business specialising in the import and distribution of premium turkey products. The company will operate as the exclusive UK distributor for one of Europe's largest vertically integrated turkey producers, with EU-approved facilities and BRC, ISO and Halal certifications. The supplying producer operates large-scale slaughter, cutting and production facilities, employing approximately 1,300 staff and producing 1,400-1,500 tonnes of turkey meat per month. Over 300 tonnes are already supplied into the UK market each month through existing trade relationships with processors, wholesalers, HORECA and retail clients. The UK business is being incorporated and will launch with a small initial team. The plan is to begin using third-party cold storage facilities before scaling to a dedicated warehouse and, in time, establishing a UK manufacturing facility producing value-added turkey products. This is a rare opportunity to build and lead a UK operation from inception, with secure supply and strong international backing.

The Role:

This is a foundational leadership role, responsible for establishing and overseeing all UK operations. As statutory Company Director, you will ensure the business is financially robust, legally compliant and operationally efficient. The Managing Director will not be expected to lead day-to-day sales generation; dedicated sales staff will drive business development. Instead, the focus of this role is operational, financial and regulatory leadership, ensuring the infrastructure is in place to support sustainable growth. You will initially operate from a home-based setting, with responsibility for identifying and establishing suitable cold storage and future warehouse premises in strategically located distribution hubs.

Key Responsibilities:

• Full financial oversight, including budgeting, cashflow management and cost control.
• Ensuring legal and regulatory compliance (company filings, tax, food safety, import regulations).
• Overseeing customs and import compliance, working alongside appointed customs brokers.
• Contract review, negotiation support and ongoing contract management.
• Maintaining accurate documentation and record-keeping systems.
• Liaising with accountants, lawyers, regulatory authorities and logistics partners.
• Coordinating shipping, cold storage and transport arrangements.
• Supervising and developing the UK team (initially 12 sales staff).
• Identifying and establishing appropriate storage and, in time, warehouse/manufacturing premises.
• Acting as the key operational liaison with the overseas supplier.

You:

• Strong financial literacy with experience overseeing budgets and financial controls.
• Sound understanding of legal frameworks, commercial contracts and regulatory compliance.
• Experience in import/export operations, chilled food distribution or FMCG supply chains preferred.
• Knowledge of customs procedures and food safety compliance highly advantageous.
• Experience leading and developing small teams.
• Comfortable operating autonomously whilst coordinating internationally.
• Strong organisational and documentation skills.
• High attention to detail.

Personality Profile:

• Highly organised and detail-oriented.
• Reliable, discreet and trustworthy.
• Confident communicator, able to liaise effectively with international stakeholders and UK partners.
• Calm and methodical under pressure.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a long-term growth perspective.

The Opportunity:

• Lead and shape a UK business from formation.
• Secure and consistent supply from a large-scale, certified European producer.
• Competitive pricing advantage compared to other European suppliers.
• Direct relationship with the producer (no intermediaries).
• Significant growth potential as UK volumes increase.
• Long-term ambition to build warehouse and manufacturing capability in the UK.

A competitive salary is anticipated for a suitably experienced candidate, with performance-related bonus linked to operational success and growth milestones. To submit your CV for this confidential opportunity, please apply in confidence.