General Manager – Timber Products

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The leading independent builder's merchant covering the North East, Scottish Borders, Cumbria & Teesside 

Based at their Newcastle Head Office with travel throughout their trading area 

Salary – to attract the best + lucrative profit share & benefits package 

This is a prestigious leadership role within the builders’ merchant industry and one of the most high-profile leadership roles in the North East! 

The company JT Dove Ltd. is an independent, employee benefit trust (EBT) owned, leading regional builders’ and plumbers’ merchant with headquarters in Newcastle upon Tyne. The business marked 150 years of trading in 2019. Recently, over the last 16 years, it has undergone transformative and extensive changes. Consistent and significant growth in sales and profitability has been achieved through a successful and market-leading offer plus sustainable investment in branches. From 8 branches and 9 profit centres in 2006, the business now has 21 trading sites (the large majority of which are freehold) and trades through 48 profit centres across the North East, in Carlisle and the Scottish borders. In the last four years, a new branch has been added every year and the company has also invested in staff, marketing and digital trading know-how to launch and develop a significant and growing online offer. Despite all this investment, the company has low levels of borrowing. 

The company employs around 350 people and had sales in 2021 of £90m, £6.37m of which was generated by online trading.  

Current Managing Director Steve Robinson has notified the business of his decision to retire, hence a high calibre replacement is required.     

Potential candidates should have: 

• A successful track record of profitably running and growing a builder’s merchant or building materials distribution business, in a senior leadership role, ideally with a commercial bias. We are also open to individuals who’ve come from the supplier side of the industry or those who have operated successfully in similar multi-site B2B distribution businesses.  This could include Regional Directors, Sales Directors, Operations Directors as well as experienced Managing Directors 
• Can successfully operate in such an environment without the support structures of a larger corporate  
• A proactive, inquisitive, common-sense approach 
• Strong, positive communication skills 
• Willingness to roll sleeves up and always looking for opportunities to improve the business 
• To be customer-facing and enjoy doing this. The role will also involve attending industry events and meetings of associations and the buying group they’re a member of 
• Fit in with and positively develop the culture within the organisation, ensuring respect for all within the business 
• A self-starter and can operate at pace, making decisions in a confident manner – no procrastination here please! 
• Energetic and creative, resilient and tenacious. Willing to embrace the challenge 
• Can deliver the right level of information up and down the structure as required
• Leadership of the highest calibre: inspire, lead, motivate, and engage with people throughout the business 
• Commercially and financially aware 
• Ideally you will live within a reasonable commuting distance of the North East or be happy, willing and able to relocate.  There will be some travel regionally within the role.   

This is an excellent opportunity to join a well-established regional builders’ merchant and help grow it! There is huge growth potential across the regions they serve.  They take a long-term view and the boards trusts their senior leadership to run the business as if it they were their own.  They are happy to invest in a number of areas: 

• Potential new locations throughout the North East, North and Scottish borders/central belt 
• Pursue possible acquisitions 
• New product categories 
• Improved sales & marketing strategy, including e-commerce 

Trading from multiple sites in good locations they have a great reputation for customer service, a modern fleet of equipment and a committed and experienced team.  

With the right leader this business will continue to expand – they have a fantastic track record of growth over the last 10+ years, including throughout the pandemic.  There will be freedom to trade in an autonomous environment with no bureaucracy and the support of an experienced senior leadership team.  

The future is bright for this business. Come and be a part of it.  Be your own boss and create a winning environment where you – and the team – will be rewarded handsomely for it!  

To apply send your CV to Nick Hardy at nick@wilsonbrook.com

Location: Rainham, Essex  

National, market leading Industrial, Waste & Environmental Services business  

Circa £65k + car/allowance + bonus (up to 30%) + benefits  

This is an excellent opportunity to join a well-established and growing organisation.  They provide a range of industrial and technical environmental services from critical incident response to various industry sectors along with installation and maintenance of specialist assets and infrastructure, to specialist cleaning and waste services, to finally risk and environmental consultancy.  They have grown over the years via acquisition with more on the cards.  They have an excellent reputation and because of the nature of what they do are pretty much recession-proof.  

Potential candidates should have a successful track record in similar Depot/Branch/General Manager role in an industrial services/environmental services/waste services business to business environment within either a medium (£30m+) or large company.  Experience in a 24/7 emergency response environment would also be useful.  Naturally, leadership of the depot team and the development and delivery of a successful growth strategy is a prerequisite.    

The Depot Manager is responsible for the P&L of their depot and should do everything within their powers to help the depot be more successful whilst operating efficiently, safely and legally!  

The role has 3 key aspects to it:  

1. The Leadership of the depot including all operational elements of HSE, recruitment, leadership, development of capability etc. 

2. The Financial elements associated with a P&L, forecasting, CAPEX, budget accountability 

3. The commercial elements of supporting the Group Commercial Director and his teams with customer feedback and support, technical and delivery support, pricing etc.   

From a behavioural and cultural perspective we're looking for: 

• An inspiring and engaging leadership style, creating confidence and demonstrating credibility 
• An ability to work at pace and successfully deliver the commercial, operational and financial strategy 
• Resilience and tenacity 
• Excited by the challenge 
• Excellent communication skills 
• High levels of emotional intelligence 
• An appreciation of the balance between providing an excellent service whilst maintaining (and where possible improving) margin 
• Instant credibility and gravitas, but also a down to earth approachable style given the nature of the business – aspects of what they do are pretty “dirty” and high hazard 
• Able to cope with ambiguity, open-minded and flexible – helping to shape the full scope of the role and how it adds value to the business 
• Able to balance risk and reward  

Potential candidates should live within a reasonable daily commuting distance. The role is not 100% office based, for critical incidents senior management are required to be on site to help co-ordinate response and manage relationships with multiple stakeholders.  Given the nature of the role this is not a work from home position.  

Adler & Allan are investing significantly across their business for growth – including £1m into this specific depot.  There is a great opportunity to turn Rainham into one of their flagship depots  

There is an excellent salary, bonus and benefits package, with equity opportunities in the future  

For more information: https://www.adlerandallan.co.uk/   

To apply send your CV to ethan@wilsonbrook.com  

Specialist light industrial tools manufacturer, selling into the tool & equipment hire industry 

Midlands HQ, but national role, so flexible with candidate location 

Salary – to attract the best + car + bonus + benefits 

This is an excellent opportunity to join a well-established manufacturer of specialist light industrial tools, supplying several markets including marine, oil & gas and construction.  Originally a privately owned company they are now backed by a European parent which has allowed them to grow successfully over recent years, with investment in new product development and international expansion.   

They have further significant growth aspirations particularly within the tool & equipment hire sector – hence where this role comes in.  They already have some relationships but would like to expand considerably, both in the UK and overseas. 

Potential candidates should have: 

• A successful track record of business development and sales of some kind of tools and equipment into tool & equipment hire companies – nationals, regionals and independents  
• Excellent knowledge of construction hire industry as well as live contacts at various levels 
• Can successfully operate in such an environment without the support structures of a larger corporate 
• A proactive, inquisitive, common-sense approach 
• Strong, positive communication and presentation skills 
• Willingness to roll sleeves up and always looking for opportunities to improve the business 
• Fit in with and positively develop the culture within the organisation, ensuring respect for all within the business 
• A self-starter who can operate at pace, making decisions in a confident manner – no procrastination here please! 
• Energetic and creative, resilient and tenacious. Willing to embrace the challenge 
• Leadership ability: to be able to grow and lead a team in due course 

Objectives: 

• Increase turnover in a profitable manner  • Develop new accounts within the construction hire sector 
• Identify potential gaps within the industry that can be filled through NPD, existing product alteration or a specific traded item that can be sourced. Being close to the various customers in order to feedback specific requirements in product / activity to ensure long term trading agreements 
• Implement national and international sales programs through the development of field sales action plans in line with market trends / requirements and competitor activity to satisfy customer needs within the changing marketplace
• Maintain sales volume, product mix, and selling price by working with procurement and production departments to agree supply and demand as well as accurate costing models. 
• Sole responsibility for implementing costing and promotional models as well as marketing and potential "road shows" exhibitions. This will be at Head Office level as well as depot level if required 
• Work closely with national and international distributors ensuring availability and full understanding of the trading relationship  The future is bright for this business. Come and be a part of it.    

 For more information please visit:  https://trelawnyspt.com/  https://www.youtube.com/user/TrelawnySPT  https://www.indutrade.com/  

To apply send your CV to nick@wilsonbrook.com   

Based London with travel throughout the region 

Salary – to attract the best + bonus + benefits 

This is an excellent opportunity to join a well-established independent tool, equipment and small plant hire business and help grow it! There is good growth potential across the markets they serve.  They have led innovation in several areas including reducing emissions.  The business has committed owners willing to invest further in order to deliver growth.  This could include:   

• New locations 
• Increasing the size of the fleet 
• Innovation around technology 
• Improved sales & marketing strategy 

Trading from a large site in a good location they have a great reputation for customer service, a modern fleet of equipment and a committed and experienced team.  

With the right sales leader this business could expand considerably, adding new product categories, new branches and services. There will be freedom to trade in an autonomous environment with no bureaucracy and the support of an experienced senior leadership (if required!).  

Potential candidates should have: 

• A successful track record of profitably running and growing a tool/equipment/plant hire business in a commercially biased role  
• Can successfully operate in such an environment without the support structures of a larger corporate and can cope with the pressure of needing to achieve results 
• A proactive, inquisitive, common sense approach 
• Strong, positive communication skills. Able to have difficult conversations when required
• Willingness to roll sleeves up and always looking for opportunities to improve the business 
• To be customer facing and enjoy doing this. Knowledge of the local customer base is a prerequisite 
• Fit in with and positively develop the culture within the organisation, ensuring respect for all within the business 
• A self-starter and can operate at pace, making decisions in a confident manner – no procrastination here please! 
• Energetic and creative, resilient and tenacious. Willing to embrace the challenge 
• Can deliver the right level of information up and down the structure as required 
• Leadership of the highest calibre: inspire, lead, motivate, engage with people throughout the business 
• Commercially and financially aware 
• You will own the P&L and be responsible for creating and delivering the strategy to achieve this.   
• You must live within a reasonable commuting distance of London.  There will be regular travel locally within the role.   

Objectives:  

• Increase turnover in a profitable manner  
• Improve customer service.  Give customers a reason to use the business 
• Improve engagement throughout the team and create a positive, winning culture 
• Identify opportunities for investment 
• Identify opportunities for growth in associated product/service areas – how can the business add value in a competitive sector 
• Fully utilise the facilities/capabilities of the business 
• Naturally ensure the business is trading legally with health and safety paramount at all times 
• Identify opportunities for growth – both within existing customers and markets and new ones!  

The future is bright for this business. Come and be a part of it.  Be your own boss and create a winning environment where you – and the team – will be rewarded handsomely for it!  

To apply send your CV to imogen@wilsonbrook.com   

This is an excellent opportunity to join a well-established specialist building products distribution business and help develop and deliver their sales strategy in this part of the country.  The business is part of a family-owned multi-sector multi-million independent group with a fantastic track record of growth and acquisition.  They are long term investors who trust their business managers to run their businesses as if they were their own.  

This particular business has a turnover approaching £300m trading from 22 large, strategically located, depots.  

They have an exciting growth strategy and their parent company are investing to facilitate that. They have made an internal promotion and are looking to strengthen the sales structure that supports the new Sales Director.  

Your main responsibility will be expected to lead from the front, creating and nurturing a highly motivated Business Development team. You will be responsible for ensuring they deliver on their sales targets by ensuring their business intelligence platforms are utilised to drive profitable sales.   

Your direct reports will be the Business Development Team and you will be responsible for delivering the business sales strategies on an individual basis across your regional depot network.  You will work alongside the Regional Directors to deliver an outstanding customer proposition ensuring the customer is at the heart of everything they do Responsibilities will include:  

• Meet and exceed agreed Commercial targets  
• Utilise business intelligence platforms to drive profitable sales 
• Build strong relationships with key suppliers and customers 
• Manage a small ledger of customers within your region  
• Work in partnership with your designated depots, maximising sales, and margin 
• Identifying new opportunities with new and existing business to grow their customer base 
• Create a close working relationship with your team, regional director, and the depot network  
• Use initiative to identify sales opportunities and offer advice and solutions to your  
• colleagues and in turn maximise profitable sales and margin  

What we’re looking for: 

• A successful track record in a similar role in a similar environment.  Civils and infrastructure product knowledge is highly desirable.  Ideally from having worked within a merchant or distribution business, however we are open to people who have done similar roles for a manufacturer 
• Can successfully operate in such an environment without the support structures of a larger corporate and can cope with the pressure of needing to achieve results 
• A proactive, inquisitive, common-sense approach 
• Strong, positive communication skills. Able to have difficult conversations when required 
• Willingness to roll sleeves up and always looking for opportunities to improve the business 
• Fit in with and positively develop the culture within the organisation, ensuring respect for all 
• A self-starter and can operate at pace, making decisions in a confident manner – no procrastination here please! • Energetic and creative, resilient and tenacious. Willing to embrace the challenge 
• Can deliver the right level of information up and down the structure as required 
• Leadership of the highest calibre: inspire, lead, motivate, engage with people throughout the business 
• Commercially and financially aware 
• You will contribute to the delivery of the P&L and be responsible for creating and delivering the commercial strategy to achieve this.   
• Build strong relationships with the suppliers, looking for opportunities where you can work together for mutual benefit 
• Naturally you need to live within the South East region (pretty much the entire South East quadrant of England) and be willing to travel regularly throughout the region  

To apply send your CV to ethan@wilsonbrook.com   

This is an excellent opportunity to join a well-established specialist building products distribution business and help develop their commercial strategy and processes around relationships with suppliers, category and pricing management.  The business is part of a family-owned multi-sector multi-million independent group with a fantastic track record of growth and acquisition.  They are long term investors who trust their business managers to run their businesses as if they were their own.  

This particular business has a turnover approaching £300m trading from 22 large, strategically located, depots. 

They have an exciting growth strategy and their parent company are investing to support that.  

Your main responsibility will be to influence the businesses trading margin and product mix through supply chain negotiations.   

You will be responsible for growing and managing the product base with the support of the commercial and sales teams. You will be managing and reviewing their core supply chain performance across a variety of product ranges ensuring that the business and customer needs are met.   

You will be expected to lead from the front, creating and nurturing a highly motivated team who puts their customers at the heart of everything they do.    

Responsibilities will include:  

• Meet and exceed agreed Commercial targets  
• Utilise business intelligence platforms to drive profitable sales 
• Build strong relationships with key suppliers  
• Identifying new product opportunities with new and existing suppliers  
• Complete range and category pricing reviews 
• Lead the negotiations of key suppliers 
• Create a working relationship the wider Group procurement team  
• Create a close working relationship with depots and wider team members 
• Identify areas or risk, concern, and opportunity across the categories

Potential candidates should have: 

• A successful track record in a similar role in a similar environment.  Civils and infrastructure product knowledge is highly desirable   
• Can successfully operate in such an environment without the support structures of a larger corporate and can cope with the pressure of needing to achieve results 
• A proactive, inquisitive, common-sense approach 
• Strong, positive communication skills. Able to have difficult conversations when required 
• Willingness to roll sleeves up and always looking for opportunities to improve the business 
• Fit in with and positively develop the culture within the organisation, ensuring respect for all 
• A self-starter and can operate at pace, making decisions in a confident manner – no procrastination here please! 
• Energetic and creative, resilient and tenacious. Willing to embrace the challenge 
• Can deliver the right level of information up and down the structure as required 
• Leadership of the highest calibre: inspire, lead, motivate, engage with people throughout the business 
• Commercially and financially aware 
• You will contribute to the delivery of the P&L and be responsible for creating and delivering the commercial strategy to achieve this.   
• Build strong relationships with the suppliers, looking for opportunities where you can work together for mutual benefit  

To apply send your CV to ethan@wilsonbrook.com 

This is an excellent opportunity to join a well-established business and well-regarded brand within the structural building products industry. They have a proud history and an impressive track record of success.  They have a strong product   range, are financially secure and well placed for further growth both organic and potentially via acquisition.  The UK business is a leading subsidiary of a family-owned global group.  The last 2 years have been the most profitable in the group’s history, with accompanying positive growth in turnover.  

Despite their success, they are not resting on their laurels. They see plenty of opportunity for growth and improvement, across their various product ranges (with new innovations in the pipeline), applications and routes to market.    

Reporting to the Managing Director, the main purpose of this role is to create and lead strategies to increase the awareness of the company’s products, to gain specifications for the products, solicit enquiries and convert these enquiries into orders throughout the UK and Ireland.  

You will have full responsibility for the sales development in the UK and Ireland. Through situational leadership, you will inspire, lead and motivate a team of experienced Regional Sales Managers and Product Engineers to achieve their full potential.  

You should have exceptional knowledge of the UK and Irish construction market, in particular the market for high rise residential, concrete frame and pre-cast structures, and have the ability to get a system specified via a consultative approach, constructive advice, and support, and then retaining the specification until contract is awarded.  

You will be responsible for strategies to create and build relationships with Engineering Practices, with Contractors and with specialist Sub-Contractors. In collaboration with colleagues at the parent company’s head office you will also be required to develop and lead business strategies for new product launches.   

You should ideally be centrally or Southern based as this will be a national role, nowhere too remote otherwise travelling will be difficult.  This role will involve regular travel throughout the country, particularly into London, with scope for working from home combined with some time the South Midlands based Head Office.  

Experience with structural building products, or something related is beneficial whilst experience of leading a sales team is essential.  

To apply send your CV to nick@wilsonbrook.com

This is an excellent opportunity to join the senior team of this business. They have a long history combined with a positive track record of growth in recent years - including throughout 2020! The next few years could be even more exciting for them! 

They are looking to strengthen their senior management team to provide the foundation for further growth!  

They offer entire roofing solutions for residential & commercial buildings including:   

• Flat Roofing; Including Single Ply, Green Roofs, Bitumen Membranes, Liquid Systems 
• Pitched Roofing; Including Natural Slates, Concrete Tiles, Cedar Shingles, Clay Tiles 
• Cladding; including James Hardie & Marley Eternit Systems 
• Bespoke Leadwork  

They work with many national contractors, developers, local authorities and homeowners in the South across Hampshire, Dorset, Sussex, Berkshire, Surrey and London.  

They have some excellent qualified and reliable staff. All their operations teams are highly qualified and work to the highest Health and Safety standards, with numerous accreditations.  

They are part of a larger family-owned group with a history going back over 150 years.  This gives them great security and financial stability.  

Naturally we’re looking for candidates with experience in a similar role in a similar environment.  Experience could be in either flat or pitched roofing – both would be great.  They have the desire and investment to recruit two Operations Manager’s – one for either side of their business.   

Responsibilities: 

• Manage all site resources both direct employees and sub-contract labour of up to 90-100 people across various projects nationwide
• Directly involved and responsible for sourcing new labour, both directly and sub-contractors 
• Liaise with site management regarding labour requirements for each project and schedule the required resources 
• Agree and implement work programmes for each project 
• Implement an internal company resource programme for all on going and upcoming projects
• Outline work schedules and targets in conjunction with site management and ensure work targets are met on site as outlined by the estimating team 
• Ensure project details and specifications are implemented on site 
• Attend site meetings as required 
• Give fortnightly project progress reports regarding labour schedules 
• Attend monthly management meetings 
• Work closely with the existing team to ensure company efficiency 
• Ensure the adherence to safety and quality standards 
• Liaise with contracts managers to oversee preparation of monthly contract valuation reports and comment on performance 
• Liaise with contracts managers to produce a monthly rolling forecast of revenue and gross profit per contract 
• Identify financial performance issues and liaise with accountant to ensure accurate contract performance is reported  

Requirements: 

• Have a proven record of co-ordinating and managing medium to large scale roofing contracting projects (or something very similar) 
• Ensure the whole operation runs smoothly and cost effectively 
• Exceptional leadership qualities; demonstrating the necessary energy and enthusiasm to continue the success of the business
• Strong commercial awareness. 
• Ability to work well under pressure and within a strict deadline environment 
• Maintain good relationships with clients 
• Have knowledge and experience of Windows, MS Office and MS Project 
• Display attention to detail, and have excellent written and verbal communication skills, in order to represent the company in the highest professional manner 
• Degree or similar construction related qualifications preferred but not essential  

These are key roles and needless to say a very important piece of recruitment with a desire for successful long-term appointments.  

Personality type and cultural fit is even more important than the company’s potential candidates have worked for. There is a supportive family feel culture, where people work hard to deliver a great service every time!   

We also require someone highly intelligent and numerate. The role holder will play a significant part in improving the operations for the business and will also have to process a large amount of information. Strong commercial awareness combined with a high IQ is essential.  

The Bottom Line  This is not a turnaround situation, nor does it require a revolution. It’s about building on what they have, improving it and identifying further areas for growth. The business is well placed with a capable senior team.  

To apply please send your CV to ethan@wilsonbrook.com   

This is an excellent opportunity to create a DIY & mainstream retail division across the UK & Europe for a leading global manufacturer and distributor of specialist garden and landscaping products.   They have grown significantly both organically and via acquisition in the UK over recent years, supplying similar products to trade customers – national and independent merchants.  They now see big opportunities within DIY retail, garden centres & mainstream retail and wish to recruit a business leader who can develop and deliver a successful growth strategy.

The business achieved phenomenal growth during the pandemic. Being vertically integrated gave them security of supply and they took the bold decision to bring significant additional volumes into the UK at the start of the pandemic. With the subsequent investment in homes and gardens by homeowners – which is set to continue – they grew in one year what they had previously expected to take five years!

They see significant opportunities with both their existing exterior product range and related interior products. This could include product that their parent company manufactures alongside product sourced from elsewhere. E-commerce and creating a prestigious showroom(s) are other options for growth which should be explored.

The individual

Hence, they're looking for someone with: 

• A successful track record in a business or sales leadership role working for a companies that have sold products via DIY retail, garden centres and mainstream retail: hence will have knowledge of the appropriate buyers and category managers and be able to get in front of them easily and quickly
• Specific product & category knowledge is advantageous but not essential given their plans to grow the product range to encompass both interior and exterior products
• Need to understand how these target businesses make their buying decisions and onboard new suppliers
• Commercially aware – able to successfully negotiate trading agreements and manage the P&L
• Presentable with strong communication skills
• Ideally based within the Midlands or South East, but this role will involve national and international travel so not necessarily a prerequisite
• Must fit in with values and culture: focused on providing quality products (not price driven) with excellent customer service, a family feel with a small, committed team
• Ability to significantly grow this channel and as such create a new  division for the business which require the recruitment and leadership of  a team of people: therefore, aspirations and ability to grow the role and      recruit/lead a team is important
• 
  

Reasons to join

• They are a well-established, growing, profitable business with quality products, security of supply and an excellent reputation
• Their trade business can support in the first instance with facilities and finance
• Low staff turnover, positive company culture, and have recently been recruiting into other areas of their trade business
• There is a good opportunity here to significantly develop a new route to market for the business – starting with DIY retail & garden centres and then moving into other related retail such The Range, Wilko, Aldi, Lidl even Tesco
• Success in this role will enable the growth of a new division and the development of a new team – given the size of the market this could eclipse the turnover of the existing business!
• A down-to-earth common-sense business culture, with a flexible   working environment

To apply send your CV to imogen@wilsonbrook.com