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- Tasks: Lead a family-run SME to achieve ambitious growth and profitability targets.
- Company: Dynamic family business with a focus on growth and accountability.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £150k, performance bonuses, and autonomy in shaping strategy.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by driving growth and building a positive company culture.
- Qualifications: Proven track record in leading SMEs and implementing performance management.
- Other info: Opportunity to shape the leadership team and influence company direction.
The predicted salary is between 96000 - 144000 £ per year.
Salary/Package: Overall package £150,000 (DOE) + LTIP - Basic salary up to £120,000
Location: Northampton
We are working in partnership with a growing, family-run business targeting £7m → £12m turnover in 3 years and to take EBITDA from 7% to 10%. They are looking to appoint an experienced Managing Director who inspires, sets high standards, and builds accountability so every department hits its numbers, every month.
You'll deliver:
- Growth & Strategy: Translate ambition into an actionable plan with targets, cadence, and ownership.
- Accountability: Install performance management across Ops, Sales, Finance & Marketing.
- Operations: Hit OTIF consistently; fix bottlenecks and improve lead times.
- Sales: Overachieve new business and margin targets; improve forecast accuracy.
- Finance: Reduce debtor days; strengthen cash conversion and working capital.
- Marketing: Maximise ROI; align spend tightly to qualified pipeline and revenue.
- Culture: Honesty, Adaptability, Trust, Positive Attitude, Desire to Excel.
Requirements
- Track record of growth: Taken an SME or business unit from £5-15m or higher to materially higher revenue with improved profitability.
- Accountability builder: Has implemented KPIs, dashboards, cadences (daily huddles, weekly performance reviews, monthly board packs, quarterly OKRs).
- Cross-functional leadership: Comfortable directing Ops, Sales, Finance, Marketing; financially literate and understands OTIF, pipeline quality, cash conversion, and marketing ROI.
- People leadership: Direct, fair, and supportive; coaches hard, sets clear expectations, follows through on consequences.
Background
- Roles: MD/GM/Commercial Director from a trading/buy/sell background.
- Evidence of: OTIF improvement, margin discipline, DSO reduction, sales forecast accuracy uplift, marketing ROI gains.
- Built or matured: RACI, S&OP, OKRs, Board packs, and sales/ops cadences.
- Financial fluency: P&L ownership, working capital management, pricing & margin governance.
Leadership style & behaviours
- Clarity + Cadence: Sets a small set of critical metrics; reviews them relentlessly.
- High standards + Empathy: Holds people to account while developing capability.
- Data-driven storytelling: Turns numbers into decisions and action.
- Bias to action: Resolves blockers quickly; removes complexity.
- Builder: Upgrades people, processes, and systems in parallel.
Benefits
What's in it for you:
- Autonomy to shape strategy, culture and the leadership team.
- Performance-led package tied to growth, margin, OTIF, cash conversion & ROI.
- Proposed Salary - Basic salary up to £120k with an overall package of £150k including Bonuses and Benefits. Plus an additional LTIP - (Long Term Incentive Plan)
Managing Director in Northampton employer: Universal Business Team
Contact Detail:
Universal Business Team Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Managing Director in Northampton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry and let them know you're on the hunt for a Managing Director role. Personal recommendations can make all the difference, so don’t be shy about asking for introductions.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company inside out. Understand their growth targets and challenges, and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. This will help you stand out as the perfect fit for their vision.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership style during interviews. Be ready to discuss how you've built accountability and driven performance in previous roles. Use specific examples to illustrate your impact on growth and culture.
✨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 about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Managing Director in Northampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the job description. Highlight your experience in growth and accountability, and don’t forget to showcase your cross-functional leadership skills. We want to see how you’ve driven results in similar roles!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us about your vision for the role and how you plan to translate ambition into actionable plans. Be sure to mention your people leadership style and how you build accountability.
Showcase Your Achievements: Quantify your successes! Whether it’s improving OTIF or enhancing marketing ROI, we love numbers that tell a story. Make sure to include specific examples of how you’ve taken businesses to new heights.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Universal Business Team
✨Know the Business Inside Out
Before your interview, dive deep into the company's history, values, and recent achievements. Understand their growth trajectory and how they plan to hit that £12m turnover target. This will show your genuine interest and help you align your vision with theirs.
✨Prepare Your Success Stories
Think of specific examples from your past roles where you've driven growth or improved profitability. Be ready to discuss how you've implemented KPIs, managed cross-functional teams, and achieved results. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
The role requires a blend of high standards and empathy. Be prepared to discuss your leadership style and how you build accountability within teams. Share examples of how you've coached team members and set clear expectations while maintaining a positive culture.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions that demonstrate your understanding of the role and the business. Inquire about their current challenges in achieving OTIF or improving cash conversion. This not only shows your strategic thinking but also helps you gauge if the company is the right fit for you.
