At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a profitable business unit, setting strategy and driving performance.
- Company: Join a £1bn+ privately owned group with an entrepreneurial culture.
- Benefits: Earn up to £160k with open-ended profit share and executive car.
- Other info: Dynamic role with real growth opportunities and a supportive board.
- Why this job: Total P&L ownership without the risk of running your own company.
- Qualifications: Proven commercial leadership and P&L responsibility required.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 160000 £ per year.
General Manager – Run a Business, Not a Branch
Up to £160k earning potential (£80k basic + £80k OTE) + open-ended profit share + executive car | Scotland
This is for someone who's outgrown "sales leadership" and wants the whole thing — the P&L, the strategy, the team, the call on where the business goes next. You'd run a profitable, established distribution business as your own. Not a branch with a reporting line into someone else's plan — a genuine business unit where you set the budget, present it to the board, and own the outcome. Sales, margin, stock, purchasing, product range, customer service, headcount: yours. The kind of remit most people are told they have and rarely do.
It sits inside a £1bn+ privately owned group built on a deliberately flat structure and a hands‑off centre. The model is simple: devolve real responsibility to local leadership, back them properly, and reward them on what they actually deliver. The profit share is open‑ended and tied to your own business's performance — the better you build it, the more you earn, with no ceiling written into the scheme.
Why this beats the GM role you're probably looking at:
- Total P&L ownership — the nearest thing to running your own company without carrying the risk
- An established, profitable operation with real customers and revenue, not a turnaround gamble or a startup
- An open-ended profit share on the business you control — your effort, your number
- A group that grows by acquisition and promotes from within, so the next business unit, and the one after, is a real route — not a vague promise
- A genuinely entrepreneurial culture: budgets you build, decisions you make, a board that backs you rather than micromanages you
What you'd actually be doing:
- Setting the commercial strategy and delivering it.
- Building relationships with the key contract accounts that drive the business.
- Opening new customer segments and revenue lines.
- Sharpening pricing, range and margin.
- Recruiting and developing a team that performs.
- Representing the business in its market and looking outward for the next opportunity — not just managing what's already there.
Who this is for:
Someone commercially sharp, numerate and naturally persuasive, who leads from the front rather than the office. You've carried P&L responsibility, or you've run a significant commercial operation and you're ready to own the whole thing. You think laterally, spot value others miss, and you have the credibility to be taken seriously at every level — from the warehouse floor to the boardroom. Sector experience isn't the point. We've benchmarked this against leaders from distribution, wholesale, construction supply, contract sales and beyond. If you've built something, grown a number and led people to do it with you, you'll recognise this role. It's a hands‑on seat for an entrepreneurial operator — not a custodian.
The package:
Up to £160k total earning potential — £80k basic, £80k OTE — plus an open-ended profit share, executive car (BMW / Mercedes / Audi), defined‑contribution pension and family private healthcare.
P&L General Manager — Profit-Share Leader employer: Sales Recruit UK
Join a dynamic and entrepreneurial environment where you can truly run your own business unit, with total P&L ownership and the freedom to shape your strategy. Our flat organisational structure fosters a culture of empowerment, allowing you to make impactful decisions while being backed by a supportive board. With an open-ended profit share tied directly to your performance, exceptional earning potential, and opportunities for growth within a £1bn+ privately owned group, this role is perfect for those ready to take their career to the next level in Scotland.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land P&L General Manager — Profit-Share Leader
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in your industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their business model and think about how your skills can contribute to their success. We want you to walk in feeling confident and ready to show them why you're the perfect fit for that P&L General Manager role!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to articulate your experience and how it aligns with the responsibilities of running a business unit. Highlight your achievements in P&L management and team leadership. We want you to shine when it comes to showcasing your entrepreneurial spirit!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and take the initiative to engage directly with us. Let’s get you that dream job together!
We think you need these skills to ace P&L General Manager — Profit-Share Leader
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Entrepreneurial Spirit:When writing your application, let your entrepreneurial side shine through! We want to see how you've taken charge in previous roles, whether that's through P&L management or leading a team. Share specific examples that highlight your ability to drive results and make strategic decisions.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and fluff. Make sure your key achievements and skills are easy to spot — we want to know what makes you the perfect fit for this role without sifting through unnecessary details.
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic application! Take the time to tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect the specifics of the P&L General Manager role. Highlight your experience with profit-sharing models and how you've successfully managed budgets in the past — it’ll show us you’re genuinely interested in this opportunity.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about our company culture and values while you’re at it!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sales Recruit UK
✨Know Your P&L Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you can discuss your experience with P&L management in detail. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've set budgets, managed costs, and driven profitability in previous roles. This will show that you understand the financial aspects of running a business.
✨Demonstrate Strategic Thinking
Prepare to talk about your approach to setting commercial strategies. Think of examples where you've identified new revenue streams or customer segments. Highlight your ability to think laterally and spot opportunities that others might miss, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
This role requires someone who leads from the front. Be ready to discuss how you've built and developed teams in the past. Share stories that illustrate your hands-on leadership style and how you've motivated your team to achieve results.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Market Trends
Research the distribution industry and be prepared to discuss current market trends and challenges. Show that you're not just focused on the internal workings of a business but also have an outward-looking perspective that can help drive growth and innovation.