Managing Director in Rochdale

Managing Director - Commercial Sales Lean & Operations (lean background)
Technical Design & Manufacturing | Scientific Equipment | PLC Group
Location: Rochdale / Huddersfield area - 5 days onsite
Package: £100,000 to £110,000 + up to 40% bonus + share options in PLC group + car allowance + benefits
Business: 60+ staff | c.£6-10m turnover | c.£1-2m EBITDA | ambition to double both
Reporting to: PLC group leadership
The Opportunity
A well-established design, manufacturing and scientific business within a growing PLC group is looking for a commercially driven Managing Director to lead its next phase of growth.
The business has strong foundations: a respected product range, skilled engineering and manufacturing teams, and a solid customer base. What it needs now is clear commercial leadership to realign the business around growth, sharpen how it sells, and get the whole team pulling in the same direction.
This is not a rescue job. It is a reset-and-accelerate role. You will take a profitable business that has more potential than it is currently delivering, refocus it, and lead it towards doubling turnover and EBITDA over the coming years.
The Challenge
The new MD will be expected to make an impact quickly across three areas:

• Commercial reset: review the market, customer base, pricing and sales approach, then set a clear growth plan and lead the team to deliver it
• Operational alignment: make sure engineering, manufacturing and delivery are set up to support growth, with lean and continuous improvement driving efficiency and on-time delivery
• Strong Manufacturing & Operations *Lean* experience to be able to ensure smooth Ops & Manufacturing success.
• Team leadership: build a confident, accountable leadership team and a culture where people understand the plan and their part in it

Key Responsibilities
Commercial & Growth (key focus)

• Own the commercial strategy and growth plan, with full P&L accountability
• Lead and develop the sales function, setting targets, improving pipeline management and holding the team to account
• Rebuild and modernise the sales process, including CRM and sales software
• Identify and win new markets, sectors and key accounts, while growing share with existing customers
• Review pricing, margin and product mix to grow profit alongside revenue
• Be the senior face of the business with key customers, partners and distributors
• Work with the PLC group on budgets, forecasting and strategic planning, including cross-group opportunities

Operations & Manufacturing

• Lead the engineering, technical and manufacturing teams across design, build and delivery
• Make sure operations are aligned with the commercial plan and can scale as sales grow
• Embed lean manufacturing and continuous improvement to raise quality, efficiency and on-time delivery
• Set clear operational KPIs and use them to drive performance

Leadership & People

• Build, develop and unite a team of 60+ people around a clear vision and shared goals
• Strengthen the senior leadership team, bringing in or developing talent where needed
• Lead with a visible, people-focused style that builds trust, energy and accountability
• Communicate the plan clearly so everyone knows where the business is heading and why

About You
You will currently be, or have been, an MD, GM, Commercial MD or Operations Director in an SME technical, engineering or technology manufacturing business (ideally £5m to £100m turnover). You will be commercially led, but with real credibility on the shop floor.
Essential:

• A proven track record of driving commercial growth, with full P&L ownership
• Experience leading sales teams and improving sales processes, systems and results
• A solid background in engineering or technical manufacturing operations
• Practical experience of lean manufacturing and continuous improvement
• Experience realigning or refocusing a business for growth, and seeing it through
• A people-focused leader who can bring teams and individuals together behind a clear vision
• Comfortable being hands-on and visible, 5 days a week onsite

Desirable:

• Background in scientific, laboratory, precision or capital equipment
• Experience within a PLC or group structure
• Exposure to international or export sales

The Package

• Base salary of £100,000 to £110,000
• Bonus of up to 40%, linked to growth and performance
• Share options in the PLC group
• Car allowance
• Comprehensive benefits package
• A real chance to shape and scale the business, with further growth potential within the group