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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Branch's commercial and operational performance while driving sustainable growth.
- Company: Join GEA, a global leader in food, beverage, and pharmaceutical systems.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development, and a dynamic work environment.
- Why this job: Shape strategy and make a real impact in the agricultural industry.
- Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Business; proven leadership and commercial expertise.
- Other info: Opportunity to lead a diverse team and drive innovation in a fast-paced setting.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
GEA is one of the world’s largest systems suppliers for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical sectors. Our portfolio includes machinery and plants as well as advanced process technology, components and comprehensive services. Guided by a strong sense of purpose, our more than 18,000 dedicated employees work to enhance the sustainability and efficiency of production processes globally.
Responsibilities / Tasks
Purpose of the Role
The Business Unit Director is accountable for the commercial and operational performance of the Branch, with clear ownership of Order Intake (OI) and margin delivery. The role leads sustainable growth, operational excellence and customer satisfaction in line with the Farm Technologies UK strategy and GEA Group objectives. This role is based at our Holsworthy Branch and requires regular travel to other GEA sites across the South West, as well as to customer locations. The successful candidate must therefore live within a commutable distance of Holsworthy. The Business Unit Director has 3 direct reports and overall leadership responsibility for approximately 30 employees across the Branch. As a member of the GEA FT (Farm Technologies) UK Management Team, the Business Unit Director shapes strategy, sets direction and ensures disciplined execution across all Branch activities.
Commercial & Financial Performance
- Own delivery of Branch OI, revenue, gross margin and cost targets.
- Lead budget, forecast and performance reviews, with a strong focus on margin improvement.
- Convert pipeline into profitable orders through disciplined commercial management.
- Analyse and report business KPIs, providing clear insight and corrective actions.
Service Performance & Utilisation
- Drive high levels of service delivery, productivity and utilisation across Service Engineers.
- Partner with the Service & Installation Manager to optimise capacity planning, scheduling and execution.
- Improve service profitability through efficiency, pricing discipline and utilisation management.
- Ensure service delivery meets customer, safety, quality and contractual requirements.
Operational Leadership
- Provide overall leadership for Branch operations across sales, service and installation.
- Ensure effective governance across QHSEE, compliance and risk management.
- Establish clear accountability, performance standards and decision-making within the Branch.
Sales, Growth & Market Development
- Define and execute a Branch Sales & Marketing strategy aligned to FT UK priorities.
- Work closely with the FT UK Sales team and Head of Business Development & Marketing to drive lead generation and conversion.
- Build strong senior relationships with key customers and partners to grow market share.
- Act as a senior representative of GEA FT UK within the agricultural industry.
People & Leadership
- Lead, develop and engage the Branch leadership team and wider workforce.
- Set clear objectives, manage performance and build succession for key roles.
- Role model GEA values and leadership expectations.
Your Profile / Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree (essential) in Engineering (Mechanical, Agricultural, Industrial), Business/Management/Commerce, or Agricultural Science / Agribusiness.
- Professional certifications (desirable): Service Management, Operational Excellence or Project Management (e.g. PRINCE2, Lean Six Sigma).
Commercial & Operational Expertise
- Proven P&L ownership with strong understanding of Order Intake, pricing, margin optimisation and financial reporting.
- Deep knowledge of service operations, field workforce utilisation, capacity planning, scheduling, and QHSEE compliance.
- Track record in sales growth, business development, and building strong customer and dealer relationships.
- Experience designing and improving processes, introducing KPIs and driving continuous improvement.
Leadership & Collaboration
- Demonstrated ability to lead multi-functional teams, set objectives, manage performance, build engagement and develop succession.
- Strong cross-functional collaboration across sales, service, operations and finance.
- Confident, data-driven decision maker with sound judgment under pressure.
Personal Capabilities
- Strategic thinker with the ability to translate strategy into execution.
- Excellent communication and influencing skills at all levels.
- Strong customer focus with a passion for service excellence.
- High level of analytical and financial acumen.
- Innovative, adaptable and resilient in a fast-moving environment.
- Strong relationship builder with effective project and time management skills.
Did we spark your interest? Then please click apply above to access our guided application process.
Business Unit Director - Venture Branch - Holsworthy employer: GEA Group
Contact Detail:
GEA Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Unit Director - Venture Branch - Holsworthy
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Business Unit Director role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching GEA and its operations thoroughly. Understand their values and how they align with your experience. This will help you showcase how you can drive commercial and operational performance effectively.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to discuss your past achievements in P&L ownership and service operations. Highlight your leadership style and how you’ve successfully led teams to achieve sales growth and customer satisfaction.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the GEA team and contributing to their mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Business Unit Director - Venture Branch - Holsworthy
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Business Unit Director role. Highlight your commercial and operational expertise, as well as any leadership experience you have. We want to see how you can drive growth and performance!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role at GEA. Share specific examples of your achievements in sales growth and operational excellence, and show us your passion for service excellence.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a Business Unit Director, you'll be leading a team. Make sure to highlight your experience in managing teams and driving engagement. We love to see candidates who can inspire and develop others, so don’t hold back on sharing your leadership stories!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smooth application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and keep track of it. Plus, you’ll get all the info you need about the role and our company!
How to prepare for a job interview at GEA Group
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Business Unit Director, you'll need to demonstrate your understanding of financial performance. Brush up on key metrics like Order Intake, gross margin, and cost targets. Be ready to discuss how you've driven these numbers in previous roles.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
This role involves leading a team, so be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully managed and developed teams in the past. Highlight your experience in setting objectives and building engagement within your workforce.
✨Understand the Market
Familiarise yourself with GEA's position in the agricultural industry and the competitive landscape. Be ready to discuss how you would define and execute a sales and marketing strategy that aligns with the company's priorities.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and decision-making under pressure. Think of specific situations where you've had to analyse KPIs or improve service delivery, and be ready to explain your thought process and outcomes.
