General Manager

Location: Site Based – Nottinghamshire

Reporting to: Managing Director

Dotted Line Reporting: Group Financial Director

Company Overview

Fynde has partnered with a growing and highly agile packaging business operating across the UK and Europe, combining global sourcing capability with a flexible, customer-led approach. The business supports a broad range of customers across retail, distribution, and commercial sectors, delivering tailored packaging solutions through a responsive and operationally focused model. With a strong reputation for service, reliability, and commercial flexibility, the organisation continues to strengthen its market position through operational excellence, supplier partnerships, and customer-focused delivery. Operating within a fast-paced SME environment, the business is entrepreneurial in nature and places significant value on accountability, commercial awareness, adaptability, and hands-on leadership.

Due to continued growth and the evolving needs of the business, we are now seeking an experienced and commercially astute General Manager to work closely with the Managing Director and wider leadership team to help drive operational performance, commercial discipline, and overall business efficiency.

Role Overview

The General Manager is responsible for improving the commercial and operational performance of the business. The role requires strong leadership across pricing, margin management, operations, transport, administration, and people management within a traded business environment. You will work closely with the Managing Director to drive profitability, operational control, commercial discipline, and team performance. The role combines strategic commercial oversight with hands-on operational leadership and day-to-day business management. You must be commercially astute, financially literate, operationally competent, and confident managing people across multiple functions within a fast-paced SME environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Commercial Management
  • Manage the commercial performance of the business to achieve agreed revenue and profitability targets.
  • Develop and maintain pricing models, costings, and margin structures across all products and services.
  • Analyse gross profit performance and identify opportunities to improve margin recovery.
  • Monitor supplier pricing, rebates, and commercial agreements and address as required.
  • Support tender submissions, contract negotiations, and customer pricing strategies.
  • Review trading performance against budgets and forecasts, including for individual customers and by product category where required.
  • Work closely with the Group Financial Director to ensure strong financial governance and reporting accuracy.
  • Drive commercial discipline across purchasing, sales, stock control, and operational expenditure.
  • Produce and present commercial reports, KPIs, and management information to senior leadership.
• Operational Management
  • Oversee day-to-day business operations to ensure efficiency, service delivery, and profitability.
  • Manage office-based operational and administrative teams.
  • Develop operational processes and controls to improve productivity and customer service.
  • Ensure stock management, purchasing, invoicing, and operational workflows operate effectively.
  • Lead continuous improvement initiatives across the business.
  • Support the Managing Director with business planning and strategic execution.
• Transport and Distribution Oversight
  • Oversee transport and distribution operations to ensure legal compliance and service efficiency.
  • Monitor logistics costs, supplier performance, and service levels, identifying opportunities for cost reduction and operational improvement where possible.
  • Coordinate with warehouse and distribution teams to maintain service standards and delivery performance.
  • Review transport KPIs and implement improvements where required.
• Human Resources and Employment Law
  • Support and manage HR activities across the business.
  • Maintain knowledge of current UK employment law and HR best practice.
  • Lead recruitment, onboarding, disciplinary procedures, absence management, and performance reviews.
  • Support employee relations and ensure fair and consistent people management practices.
  • Develop team structures, succession planning, and staff development initiatives.
  • Promote a positive, accountable, and performance-driven culture.
• Leadership and General Management
  • Provide leadership and direction across operational and commercial teams.
  • Manage departmental performance through clear objectives and accountability.
  • Support cross-functional collaboration and communication.
  • Act as a senior point of escalation for operational and people-related matters.
  • Deputise for the Managing Director when required.
  • Contribute to wider group initiatives and strategic projects.

Skills and Experience Required

• Proven experience in a General Manager, Commercial Manager, Operations Manager, Business Manager, or similar senior leadership role.
• Strong background within an SME traded, distribution, wholesale, manufacturing, or supply chain environment.
• Advanced understanding of costings, pricing strategies, margin management, and commercial reporting.
• Strong operational management experience.
• Experience managing transport and distribution functions.
• Sound understanding of UK employment law and HR processes.
• Financially literate with experience working alongside finance leadership teams.
• Strong leadership and people management capability.
• Excellent organisational and decision-making skills.
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with operational delivery.
• Strong Microsoft Excel and ERP system experience.
• Experience working within fast-paced commercial environments.

Qualifications

• Degree level qualification in Business, Finance, Operations, or related discipline preferred.
• Management or leadership qualifications desirable.
• HR experience or qualification advantageous.

Personal Attributes

• Commercially driven and results focused.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Confident communicator across all levels of the business.
• Pragmatic and solutions focused.
• High level of accountability and ownership.
• Resilient under pressure.
• Strong ethical and professional standards.

Key Performance Indicators

• Gross margin improvement.
• EBITDA performance.
• Operational efficiency metrics.
• Transport cost control and service delivery.
• Staff retention and engagement.
• Budget adherence.
• Customer service performance.
• Compliance and risk management standards.