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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the commercial and operational performance of our Holsworthy Branch.
- Company: Join GEA, a global leader in food, beverage, and pharmaceutical systems.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and a chance to make a real impact.
- Why this job: Shape strategy and drive sustainable growth in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in relevant fields and proven leadership experience.
- Other info: Opportunity to lead a dedicated team and enhance industry standards.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 ÂŁ 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.
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.
Key Responsibilities
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Education
- 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.
- 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.
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! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy about reaching out to current employees at GEA. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching GEA’s values and recent projects. We want to see that you’re genuinely interested in what we do. Think about how your experience aligns with our goals, especially around operational excellence and customer satisfaction.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! As a Business Unit Director, you’ll need to demonstrate your ability to lead teams effectively. Share examples of how you’ve driven performance and built strong relationships in your previous roles during interviews.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at GEA and contributing to our 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 is tailored to the Business Unit Director role. Highlight your experience in P&L ownership, sales growth, and operational leadership. We want to see how your skills align with our goals at GEA!
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. Share specific examples of how you've driven growth and improved service delivery in previous positions.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a Business Unit Director, you'll be leading a team. Make sure to highlight your experience in managing teams, setting objectives, and building engagement. We love seeing candidates who can inspire and motivate others!
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining the GEA family!
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 metrics. Brush up on key performance indicators like Order Intake and gross margin. Be ready to discuss how you've driven these metrics in previous roles.
✨Showcase Leadership Experience
This role involves leading a team, so be prepared to share specific examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past. Highlight your experience in setting objectives, managing performance, and building engagement within your team.
✨Understand the Market
Familiarise yourself with GEA's position in the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical sectors. Research recent trends and challenges in these industries, and think about how you can contribute to GEA's growth strategy.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and decision-making under pressure. Prepare scenarios where you've had to make tough decisions or improve processes, and be ready to explain your thought process and outcomes.
