Managing Director in Truro

Rare MD opportunity in food manufacturing leading an established business based in Truro, Cornwall.

About Our Client

Our client is a founder‑led food manufacturing business that has successfully disrupted a traditional category through innovation, quality and a commitment to doing things differently. Based in Truro, Cornwall, they have ambitious growth plans and significant investment behind the business and are now seeking a Managing Director to help drive the next stage of their journey.

Job Description

This is more than a Managing Director opportunity. It is a rare opportunity to shape the future of a highly successful, values‑led food manufacturing business entering its next phase of growth. The business has built a strong reputation for quality, innovation and customer excellence, establishing itself as a trusted partner to major retailers, foodservice operators and manufacturing customers across the UK. With ambitious growth plans and a clear long‑term vision, the organisation is seeking an exceptional Managing Director to help drive the next chapter of its journey.

The business is looking for a builder—a leader who thrives on growth, enjoys developing people, and understands how to scale a business while protecting the culture, values and entrepreneurial spirit that have underpinned its success. Working closely with the CEO and Board, the Managing Director will play a pivotal role in translating ambition into action, delivering sustainable growth while ensuring the organisation remains true to its purpose and values.

The Opportunity

This role requires a commercially minded and operationally astute leader capable of combining strategic vision with disciplined execution. The successful candidate will lead the business through its next phase of growth, strengthening operational capability, driving commercial performance and building the infrastructure required to support long‑term success. The role offers significant scope to shape strategy, influence culture and leave a lasting legacy within a dynamic, founder‑led organisation.

What Success Looks Like

• Provide clear strategic and operational leadership, translating long‑term ambitions into executable plans, measurable objectives and sustainable business outcomes.
• Lead the next phase of organisational maturity, strengthening systems, processes and infrastructure to support continued growth while protecting service levels, quality standards and profitability.
• Partner with the CEO and Board to develop and refine business strategy, ensuring decisions are commercially sound, data‑driven and aligned to the organisation's values and long‑term objectives.
• Build and maintain a high‑performance culture that balances accountability with empowerment and development.
• Lead, inspire and develop a capable leadership team, creating strong succession plans and internal talent pipelines.
• Drive profitable growth across existing and emerging channels, customers and markets.
• Maintain oversight of business performance through effective use of financial reporting, operational metrics and commercial insight.
• Identify and deliver efficiency improvements, transformation initiatives and continuous improvement programmes.
• Lead major capital investment projects and operational expansion initiatives.
• Ensure exceptional customer service standards across all customer groups.
• Monitor market developments, consumer trends and competitive activity to identify opportunities and mitigate risks.
• Own strategic risk management, including operational, commercial, financial, regulatory and reputational risks.
• Ensure strong governance and compliance with all relevant legal, food safety, environmental and quality standards.
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with customers, suppliers, industry partners, external stakeholders and the wider community.
• Support future business growth through strategic partnerships, collaboration opportunities and potential acquisition activity.

Leadership & Culture

• Lead with authenticity, humility and integrity.
• Foster a culture of openness, accountability and continuous improvement.
• Create an environment where challenge is encouraged and diverse perspectives are valued.
• Protect and strengthen the values and culture that have driven the company's success.
• Encourage cross‑functional collaboration across operations, commercial, finance, technical, supply chain, people and marketing functions.
• Act as the key integrator across the executive team, ensuring alignment behind shared goals and priorities.
• Remain visible and connected to the operational heartbeat of the business, maintaining a hands‑on leadership style despite increasing scale and complexity.
• Champion employee engagement, wellbeing and development across the organisation.

The Successful Applicant

• A proven track record of success as a Managing Director, General Manager, Divisional Director or equivalent senior executive leadership role.
• Significant experience within food manufacturing, FMCG or complex consumer goods environments.
• Experience leading large‑scale operations, supply chains and customer relationships within a fast‑paced manufacturing setting.
• Demonstrated success in delivering business growth, transformation and operational improvement.
• Strong strategic planning, commercial decision‑making and financial management capability.
• Experience of building and sustaining high‑performance cultures within founder‑led, family‑owned or values‑driven organisations.
• Strong understanding of P&L management, cashflow, investment appraisal and value creation.
• Knowledge of governance, food safety, quality, sustainability and regulatory frameworks.
• Experience leading major capital investment, automation, operational excellence or business transformation programmes.

The site is based in Truro, Cornwall. The successful candidate will be expected on site weekly.

Desirable Experience Includes

• Mergers and acquisitions.
• Strategic partnerships or joint ventures.
• Integration of acquired businesses.
• ESG and sustainability leadership.

What's on Offer

• A competitive executive salary.
• A comprehensive benefits package to support your professional and personal well‑being.
• The opportunity to lead a respected organisation in the food industry.
• A professional yet supportive working environment in Truro.