Senior Commercial Manager – b2b trade distribution

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Based at the Southern Head Office with some home working considered

This is an excellent opportunity to join a very well-established and highly regarded independent merchant. They have grown successfully to now be a semi-national player.

They have a fantastic culture which guides everything they do across suppliers, customers and employees.

As a result of their growth and plans for the future they need to strengthen their senior management team with this appointment to help further develop and deliver a successful commercial strategy.

Benefits include

• A  competitive salary 
• Company  car or car allowance
• 5  weeks holiday plus Bank Holidays (increases with length of service)
• Personal Private Medical Insurance (After qualifying period. Extending to family after additional period)
• Life  Assurance Scheme of 4 x annual salary (After qualifying period)
• Pension

Job Role

Duties and responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

• Managing the Commercial Team to deliver the Commercial Strategy and performance goals
• Team development and training
• Working alongside the Supply Chain and Marketing teams to ensure overarching commercial goals are met
• Category management
• Pricing products and creation of effective promotions to maximise profitability
• Negotiating and maintaining supplier terms agreements
• Building long-term beneficial supplier relationships
• Project management
• Offering support to branches
• Communicate effectively with a wide range of both internal and external audiences

Person Specification

• Strong background in the Commercial function encompassing product, buying, sales, pricing, marketing, and supply chain
• Experience in creating and developing strategic plans in line with wider business goals
• An experienced leader having managed successful teams in previous roles, although we are open to people with the potential and desire to step up into a leadership role
• Implemented effective training and development plans
• Experience in building and implementing successful product category strategies 
• Built strong internal and external relationships
• Experienced negotiator
• Specific product and industry knowledge is advantageous but not essential, we’re open to people from all forms of trade distribution even into DIY retail

Personal Attributes

• ‘Go-getter’. A confident, bold and enterprising character that can share knowledge and experience and make their ‘stamp’ on the business
• The ability to take considered and rounded analytical views that result in clear and strong decision making
• A heavy commercial focus
• Will challenge the status quo in their drive for greater effectiveness
• The ability to move between strategic viewpoints and tactical action with ease
• Exceptional communication skills
• An empathetic coach who understands the needs of their team and strives to support them
• Creative when planning promotional activity 
• A natural desire to unlock greater efficiencies and effectiveness from their team

This is an excellent opportunity with a well-established business that has a fantastic reputation and company culture.

Get in touch with Matthew Lambert via matt@wilsonbrook.com 

Based West Midlands

Competitive salary + profit share related bonus + benefits (car or allowance, pension, healthcare etc.)

This is an excellent opportunity to join a well-established specialist B2B distribution business. The business is part of a family-owned multi-sector multi $bn global 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. Trading from a modern site in a good location they have a great reputation for customer service, and exceptional relationships with their main supplier and key customers.

They supply a range of specialist plastic products into a range of sectors such as commercial property, retail, construction and industrial.

They have grown successfully over recent years with good potential for further growth. There will be freedom to trade in an autonomous environment with no bureaucracy and the support of experienced senior leadership from the parent company.

Potential candidates should have:

• A successful track record of profitably running and growing a B2B industrial distribution business as Managing Director/Branch Director/Sales Director/General Manager. Specific product knowledge is not required but experience selling into their key markets is 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.
• Willingness to roll sleeves up and always looking for opportunities to improve the business
• To be customer-facing and enjoy doing this
• 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
• 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
• You will own the P&L and be responsible for creating and delivering the strategy to achieve this.
• Strong procurement and negotiation skills and experience – you can buy from existing suppliers or new ones, introduce new products as you see fit – there are no restrictions!
• You must live within a reasonable commuting distance of the site in Wednesbury, West Midlands – or be prepared to relocate within a reasonable time frame. There will be some travel locally within the role. The nature of the business and this role means that this isn’t really a Work from Home role or environment.

Objectives:

• Increase turnover in a profitable manner
• Identify opportunities for investment
• Fully utilise the facilities/capabilities of the business
• Naturally ensure the business is always trading legally with health and safety paramount
• Identify opportunities for growth – both within existing customers and markets and new ones!

The future is very 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@wilsonbrook.com 

Operations Director – Seddons Plant & Engineers

· Leading UK supplier of construction, groundcare and environmental products

· Long-established, profitable, with great reputation and culture

· Role based at North West Head Office

· Competitive salary & package

About Seddons

Seddon Plant & Engineers Limited are part of the Seddon Engineering Group which is independently owned and operated by the fourth and fifth generation of the Seddon family.

Today, the group achieves an annual turnover of more than £30m and is currently operating companies within multiple sectors, principally in the supply of small plant, machinery, and parts distribution in addition to construction plant manufacturing, house building, commercial property, and vehicle servicing.

The Role

They are looking for an experienced Operations Director to lead and oversee the daily operations of the business at their main Bolton Head Office and Distribution facility and their 2 satellite depots in Leeds & Birmingham. Candidates should be based within a reasonable commuting distance of the Head Office and able to travel to the other locations on occasion. The role requires a rounded approach to ensuring the business is well coordinated, customer orientated and has clear procedures in place. 

The area of responsibility for this role spans the organisation and thus requires a thorough understanding of various business processes. The ideal candidate must be competent in the planning and execution of operational activities. They are looking for a strong leader who can work with the senior management team to develop the long-term direction of the business.

Duties & Responsibilities 

· Warehousing and logistics daily management.

· Picking rates and order fulfilment

· Stock check accountability

· Workshop management and efficiencies

· Engineering and production support

· Health & Safety management

· ISO9001-2015 accreditation management

· Overall site security

· Departmental staff management and morale

· Supplier liaison regarding aftersales and training

· General operational support to remote depots

· Provide strategic operational advice and direction to the senior management team

· Aid a culture of change and continuous improvement throughout the business

Ideal Candidate

· Highly motivated, engaged but can demonstrate vision and foresight

· Customer service driven 

· Analytical problem solver

· Demonstrate over 5 years of experience in similar senior Operational Management role

· Experience in this industry or closely related, with a knowledge of the products and the customers, is advantageous. However, we’re open to applications from candidates in businesses with a similar model – multi-site, multi-product distribution

· Proactive, forward thinker, willing to take ownership and responsibility

Skills Required

· Strong leadership and communication skills

· Problem solving for improving processes, efficiencies and effectiveness

· Expertise in managing supplier relationships, contracts and agreements

· Expert knowledge of safety and product quality standards

· Knowledge of industry regulations

· Expertise in lowering costs whilst improving productivity

· Preferably degree qualified in Operations, Business Management or a related field

This is a permanent position, full time Monday to Friday, based at Seddon Plant & Engineers Head Office at Plodder Lane, Bolton. As mentioned regular travel to company locations in Leeds and Birmingham is required.

To apply send your CV to Neil Holloway, MD at our retained consultants, Wilson Brook Consulting via  neil@wilsonbrook.com 

• Ideally South East based
• Circa £70k + bonus + benefits 

This is an excellent opportunity to join a well-established business and well-regarded brand within the heating 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 through innovation and NPD.  They have established relationships with major merchants and distributors (both in the UK and internationally) and are endorsed by major OEMs. They are also part of a larger international group where there are collaboration and cross-selling opportunities. 

Despite their success, they are not resting on their laurels. They see plenty of opportunities for growth and improvement, especially within commercial markets.   

Hence, they are looking to recruit an experienced and successful Head of Commercial Sector Sales, reporting into the Commercial Director, to develop and deliver the sales strategy for this part of the business whilst also leading a small team. With continued investment in people and products, they have the foundations in place, along with a supportive senior team - of which this role will be a key part. Additionally, the group could offer further career development opportunities. 

Suitable candidates should have a successful track record in a similar Sales Manager/Head of Sales  type role across the commercial sector in a heating products manufacturer or something closely related.  We’re looking for individuals with a good understanding of this part of the market and a strong technical appreciation. Experience of leading a small team is beneficial although we’re also open to those stepping up into a leadership role for the first time.

You should ideally be based near or within the South East of England.

To apply send your CV to Jonny Pegler via email to  ethan@wilsonbrook.com   

Based North Midlands

Salary – Competitive salary + bonus + benefits

This is an excellent opportunity to grow the UK subsidiary of a specialist equipment manufacturer as they look to expand their hire division. There is huge growth potential across the markets they serve. The business is part of a family-owned international group. Their machines are regarded as some of the best in the world. They are long-term owners who trust their business managers to run their businesses as if they were their own. They are happy to invest in a number of areas:

• Increasing the size of the fleet
• Improved sales & marketing strategy
• Expanding the team

Trading from a central location they have a great reputation for customer service, a modern fleet of equipment, including some very specialist equipment servicing a number of growing markets.

With the right leader this business could expand considerably. There will be freedom to trade in an autonomous environment with no bureaucracy and the support of the parent company.
 

Potential candidates should have:

• A successful track record of profitably running and growing specialist machinery or equipment hire business, as Managing Director or another senior leadership role, ideally with a commercial bias. 
• Can successfully operate in a small, growing company environment. Whilst the parent company has a turnover of c€500m, the rental business in the UK is currently a small business 
• 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. Knowledge of industrial process industries and/or water utilities is an advantage
• 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 caliber: inspire, lead, motivate, and 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 the North Midlands. There will be travel throughout the UK and occasionally internationally within the role. 

The future is bright for this business. Come and be a part of it. Be your own boss and be a key part of the successful growth of this company

To apply send your CV to ethan@wilsonbrook.com

Based North Worcestershire

Salary – depending on experience + bonus & benefits

This is an excellent opportunity to join a well-established specialist timber products manufacturing business - where there is good growth potential across the multiple markets they serve.  The business is part of a larger group who have a fantastic track record of growth and acquisition.  They have invested significantly in this business with specialist processing and treatment equipment.

Trading from a large site in a good location they have a great reputation for customer service and an excellent portfolio of products.

Potential candidates should have:

• A successful track record of profitably running and growing a medium-sized high-volume manufacturing operation. Specific timber products industry & product knowledge is naturally an advantage but not essential.  In fact, we’re open to someone from a more generalist manufacturing operation who could bring new skills into the business around productivity and continuous improvement
• Can successfully operate in such an environment without the support structures of a larger corporate 
• A proactive, inquisitive, common-sense approach
• 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 who can operate at pace, making decisions in a confident manner 
• 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
• You must live within a reasonable commuting distance of their location in North Worcestershire.  The nature of the business and this role means that this isn’t really a “Work from home” role or environment.

Objectives:

• Improve engagement throughout the team and create a positive, winning culture
• Develop potential successors, with a view to future career progression
• Identify opportunities for investment
• Fully utilise the facilities/capabilities of the business
• Naturally ensure the business is operating 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 very bright for this business. Come and be a part of it.  

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