Sales Director: building products distribution
Exceptional opportunity to join a respected and high-performing organisation!
Sales Director: building products distribution
- Growth via a combination of increasing market share via their current & new trade counters, product diversification, e-commerce and national distribution.
- Strategic and analytical approach required.
- Candidates living along the M5/M4 corridors are preferred for ease of access to the HQ, but there will be national travel as the business expands.
This is an exceptional opportunity for a commercially astute Sales Director to join a respected and high-performing organisation at a transformative stage in its journey. With over 30 years of industry heritage, our client is a well-established leader in the building products sector, known for its high-quality exterior and interior solutions and a reputation built on reliability, service, and lasting customer relationships.
Currently operating from a small number of trade counters, the business is embarking on a dynamic and ambitious phase of UK-wide expansion. This includes the development of a national distribution network and the rollout of its unique, trademarked product range across new territories. Significant investment is being made in infrastructure, systems, and—crucially—people as the business scales to meet growing demand and unlock new markets.
The Sales Director will be central in shaping and executing the commercial strategy, driving growth through existing channels and new business development. This is a rare chance to have true commercial influence within a nimble and ambitious leadership team along with potential succession planning and equity opportunities.
This is more than a job—it's a chance to be part of something special. The business prides itself on its supportive, close-knit culture, underpinned by a strong emphasis on employee well-being, development, and progression. If you're a sales leader ready to make a real impact, with the vision and drive to help shape the next chapter of a growing success story, this role offers the platform—and the rewards—to do just that.
Potential candidates should have a successful track record in a similar role within building products distribution across multiple routes to market.
To apply send your CV to matt@wilsonbrook.com
UK & Ireland SD – technical building products
Excellent opportunity to join a well-established and well-regarded business!
UK & Ireland Sales Director – technical building products manufacturer, part of an international group
- Significant growth plans
- National role, with North West HQ, hybrid working
This is an excellent opportunity to join a growing business and a well-regarded brand within the building products industry. The group has 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. In addition, they have well-defined values and a leading ESG proposition.
Indeed, they see plenty of opportunities for growth and improvement, broadening their routes to market, especially within commercial and housebuilding.
Hence, they are looking to recruit an experienced and successful Sales Director, reporting to the MD, to develop and deliver the sales strategy. There will be continued investment in manufacturing capacity, people and products.
Suitable candidates should have a successful track record in a similar Sales Director role within an international, branded technical building products manufacturer. Specific product or category knowledge is not essential. We’re looking for individuals who understand multiple routes to market and can help the business improve its processes and systems. It almost goes without saying that you’ll also need excellent leadership, coaching and development skills with the ability to lead from the front.
You should ideally be within reasonable commuting distance of the North West or at least be prepared to spend time there when required.
To apply send your CV to jonny@wilsonbrook.com
MD – Capital Equipment Sale, Rental & Service
An Excellent opportunity to grow a long-established SME business!
Managing Director – Capital Equipment Sale, Rental & Service
Based Midlands
This is an excellent opportunity to grow a long-established SME business. There is good growth potential across the multiple markets they serve. The business is family-owned and well invested. They are long-term owners who trust their business managers to run their business as if they were their own. They are happy to invest in a number of areas:
- Increasing the size of the fleet, including new technologies
- Improved sales & marketing strategy
- Expanding the team
Trading from a modern central location they have a great reputation for customer service, a high quality fleet of equipment, and a prestigious track record of major projects, supplying 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 owner.
Potential candidates should have:
- A successful track record of profitably running and growing a specialist capital equipment sale and hire business, as Managing Director or another senior leadership role, ideally with a commercial bias. Specific experience in their exact products is not essential
- Can successfully operate in a growing SME company environment.
- A proactive, inquisitive, common sense approach
- 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 various industrial markets 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
- 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.
- You must live within a reasonable commuting distance of the South 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 imogen@wilsonbrook.com
MD – multi-site/multi-product trade distribution into RMI
An excellent opportunity to lead a subsidiary of a long-established regional business!
MD – multi-site/multi-product trade distribution into RMI & Regional Developers/House Builders/Contractors/Public
- Southern-based business – supplying throughout the South, South East, Home Counties and into the Midlands
- Huge growth potential given the wider business's huge customer base
- An experienced leader of a business/business unit that supplies interior products or services to medium-sized builders/regional HB/Developers.
- Entrepreneurial/creative/driven/innovative/ambitious/collaborative (with the wider business), customer focused, results orientated, not just strategic but action-focused/energetic & positive.
This is an excellent opportunity to lead a subsidiary of a long-established regional business. They have a long history combined with a track record of growth (both organic and acquisitive) in recent years. The next few years could be even more exciting for them!
This is a broad role with full P&L and strategic responsibility to grow this business with support and investment from the parent company.
This is a key role and, needless to say, a very important piece of recruitment with a desire for a successful long-term appointment.
Personality type and cultural fit is even more important than the company’s potential candidates have worked for. The senior team (and indeed the entire business) would benefit from someone with high dominance and drive with an ability to challenge colleagues to ensure the business achieves its desired results.
The business has a fantastic opportunity to get more out of what they already have. It is estimated that from their top customers, they’re currently getting c25% of their spend. The goal is to increase this to 80%! To do this, the successful candidate will need to implement more discipline, structure and rigour without negatively affecting the culture which makes the business so special and why employees tend to stay for so long.
Potential candidates should be/have:
- Mid-career, with enough experience with a successful track record in a similar role (although we’re also open to someone with the right ability stepping up into this level for the first time)
- Know how to maximise trading and margin opportunities: cross-selling, up-selling, bundling etc. Delivering that strategy through diverse teams
- A good understanding of how such a business works. B2B or B2C multi-depot, multi-products into a variety of clients. We have a very open mind in terms of industry background – as mentioned, the personality & cultural fit is more important. Interior product would be useful: bathrooms, kitchens, flooring, surfaces, lighting etc.
- An appreciation of the balance between providing an excellent service whilst improving margin
- A track record of improving sales to existing customers within such organisations. Although it should be noted that this is not the business's sales leadership role. Ultimately, the whole business needs to be more sales-focused (in a profitable manner!)
- An inspiring and engaging leadership style, creating confidence and demonstrating credibility
- An ability to work at pace and successfully deliver the strategy
- An appreciation of the nature of a family-owned business with a long history and long-serving employees
- Resilience and tenacity
- Excited by the challenge
- Located within or easily commutable to the trading area (Southern England) and able to travel throughout the region and the network. This is a visible leadership role; an ivory tower approach will not work! HQ is south of the M4.
- Excellent communication skills
- High levels of emotional intelligence
- Able to cope with ambiguity, open-minded and flexible – helping to shape the full scope of the role and how it works alongside the rest of the senior team
- Able to balance risk and reward
- Know enough detail, but not be consumed by it
The Bottom Line
This is not a turnaround situation, nor does it require a revolution. It’s about building on what you have, improving it and identifying further areas for growth. The business is well placed with a capable senior team.
There is a competitive salary, bonus and benefits package. To apply please send your CV to imogen@wilsonbrook.com
Sales Director – leading HVAC product & systems manufacturer
Excellent opportunity to join a well-established and a well-regarded brand within the HVAC industry!
Sales Director – leading HVAC product & systems manufacturer, part of an international group
- Succession plan to MD
- National role, with 2dpw in North West HQ, hybrid working
This is an excellent opportunity to join a well-established business and a well-regarded brand within the HVAC 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 consultants, contractors and the major wholesalers. They are also part of a larger international group where there is collaboration, cross-selling and further career development opportunities.
Despite their success, they are not resting on their laurels. They see plenty of opportunities for growth and improvement, especially within specification. They are already well established here, but there are considerable opportunities, particularly where they can leverage their full product portfolio. There are also opportunities for growth within data centres and residential.
Hence, they are looking to recruit an experienced and successful Sales Director, reporting to the MD to develop and deliver the sales, marketing and commercial strategy. 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 and a potential successor for the top job in due course. Alternatively, the group could offer further career development opportunities.
Suitable candidates should have a successful track record in a similar Sales Director/Sales & Marketing/Commercial Director type role across specification channels with an HVAC or technical building products manufacturer. Specific product or category knowledge is beneficial but not essential. We’re looking for individuals who understand these routes to market and the changes that are taking place. It almost goes without saying that you’ll also need excellent leadership skills and ideally be technically competent and well qualified.
You should ideally be within reasonable commuting distance of the North West or at least be prepared to spend 2dpw/1npw there.
To apply send your CV to jonny@wilsonbrook.com
E P Barrus: Head of Industrial
Excellent opportunity to join a well-established and well-regarded business!
E P Barrus: Head of Industrial
- Grow business across multiple products and customer channels
- Broad range of products with new, innovative technology being introduced all the time
- Strategic and analytical approach required, along with leadership of the highest calibre
Candidates based within commutable distance of their Bicester Head Office are preferred, with relocation support available for those further afield. Although the role naturally requires some national travel, it is an office based role
This is an excellent opportunity to join a well-established and well-regarded business. It has a proud history and an impressive track record of success and growth. It has an excellent product range developed through strong relationships with global suppliers of leading brands. It is financially secure and well-placed for further growth. It already has strong relationships with customers across numerous channels.
Barrus operates across three diverse market sectors Marine, Outdoor and Industrial and is one of the UK’s leading importers and distributors of engines, engine-powered equipment, garden tools and accessories.
Partnering with leading global companies including Stanley Black and Decker, Brunswick, Yanmar, John Deere and representing over 60 brands, the company’s approach has been and continues to be to source, develop and build a portfolio of innovative, premium brands to service the needs of its customers.
This is what makes Barrus ‘The Power Behind the Brands’.
Despite their success, they are not resting on their laurels. They see lots of opportunities for growth and improvement.
Industry legend John Day is retiring so they are now looking to recruit a successor to lead their Industrial Division. Reporting to the CEO, you will be responsible for developing and delivering their growth strategy via an long-established expert team. With continued investment in people and products, they have the foundations in place, along with a supportive senior team and a positive family-feel culture.
The Industrial Division helps customers across construction, agriculture, military, railways, and more find the right engine for their needs. Whether it’s a bespoke one-off project or high-volume production, their expert engineers are there to guide customers every step of the way. They also offer application testing, ensuring customers have the accurate data needed to make informed decisions.
Suitable candidates should have a successful track record in a similar senior leadership role in an industrial product supply environment. Experience selling similar products to similar customers is beneficial, but we’re also open to individuals with other rotating equipment experience, whether from a manufacturer or distributor.
We’re looking for individuals with an analytical and strategic approach, who can combine sales and technical understanding with credibility, leadership, and gravitas. You’ll also need plenty of energy, drive, and dynamism. While not essential, an Engineering qualification would be advantageous.
Candidates living within commutable distance of their Bicester head office are highly preferred, although this role will involve national and international travel, customer and supplier meetings, and attendance at events, trade shows, and conferences. When not travelling, you will be in the Head Office providing visible leadership to the team in this division and collaborating with the rest of the senior team and the other functions within the business. Relocation support can be provided for those outside of a reasonable commuting distance.
For more information visit:
https://www.barrus.co.uk/divisions/industrial/
To apply send your CV to Neil Holloway at retained consultants Wilson Brook, via neil@wilsonbrook.com or Matt Lambert via matt@wilsonbrook.com
Any direct applications to E P Barrus will be forwarded to Wilson Brook to go through their process
MD – specialist hire business
Excellent opportunity to join a relatively small but expanding specialist hire business!
Managing Director – specialist hire business
Nationwide company, candidates preferably based in the South or Midlands
Competitive salary + bonus + benefits
This is an excellent opportunity to join a relatively small but expanding specialist hire business. There is good growth potential across the markets they serve. They are happy to invest in a number of areas:
- New locations throughout the UK
- Expanding the fleet (which is already modern and high quality!)
- Improved sales & marketing strategy
- Strengthening the team
Trading from several sites in good locations across the UK they have a great reputation for customer service, an impressive fleet of equipment, and a committed and experienced team.
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 an experienced senior leadership team within the parent company.
Potential candidates should have:
- A successful track record of profitably running and growing some kind of asset rental/hire business, as Managing Director or another senior leadership role, ideally with a commercial bias. Specific product experience is not required
- Successful track record of identifying locations and opening new depots in such a 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
- 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
- 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.
- As mentioned we are flexible with location. There will be regular travel regionally within the role.
Objectives:
- Increase turnover in a profitable manner
- Identify, secure and set up new locations
- 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
The future is bright for this business. Come and be a part of it.
To apply send your CV to matt@wilsonbrook.com
Head of E-Commerce
Excellent Opportunity to join an e-commerce business/channel within FMCG/DIY/Home related products!
Head of E-Commerce
- Leading supplier of innovative, design-led products
- Significant growth opportunities in this market, building upon their success in other channels
- Head Office based in the North, but candidates can pretty much live anywhere and WFH
- Successful, growing UK privately-owned business
Do you have experience running an e-commerce business/channel within FMCG/DIY/Home related products?
Our client is a fast-growing supplier of innovative, technology-leading design-led products into multiple sectors. They have an established e-commerce platform.
They just need an experienced Head of E-Commerce to lead this channel, develop and deliver a successful strategy to grow their market share and maximise ROI.
We're open on specific product experience, as long as it’s high volume/high SKU.
Suitable candidates should have a successful track record in a similar Head of E-commerce type role.
Key Skills and Attributes
- Proven experience in e-commerce management, specifically within the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector.
- Strong background in paid media campaigns and familiarity with digital marketing tools and platforms.
- Extensive experience in optimising Return on Ad Spend (RoAS) and conversion at the product and category level.
- Demonstrated ability to manage net profit and financial performance in an e-commerce context.
- Must have a deep understanding of the 4P's of marketing — Price, Product, Placement, and Promotion — and can demonstrate how this knowledge has been applied effectively from paid media strategies through on-site commercial execution to drive profitability.
- Must have deep understanding of Google Analytics 4 (GA4) to effectively analyse and leverage data insights for business decisions.
- Excellent leadership and communication skills, with the ability to manage and inspire a team.
- Proficient in using Shopify and integrating various e-commerce tools and systems.
To apply send your CV to jonny@wilsonbrook.com
Logistics Director: B2B Distribution
Excellent opportunity to join a well-established and highly regarded B2B distribution business!
Logistics Director: B2B Distribution, Overseeing Warehousing & Transport
Based Midlands
This is an excellent opportunity to join a well-established and highly regarded B2B distribution business. The company has grown successfully and aims to double in size again in the next five years.
They have a fantastic culture and values, which guide 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 team with this appointment to help further develop and deliver a successful operational strategy and continuous improvements across warehousing, transport and distribution.
Potential candidates should have experience in a similar role in some kind of high-volume distribution environment and be used to having responsibility for and improving productivity and efficiency across both warehousing and transport departments.
Given the nature of this role, this is not a hybrid or work-from-home position. Candidates will need to live within a commutable distance or be able to relocate within a reasonable time frame. Candidates will also need to spend time across the day and night shifts to fully understand the business and the potential for improvement, however, it will not require regular nights.
Potential candidates should also:
- 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
- Energetic and creative, being proactive and innovative to deliver a world-class operation
- Leadership of the highest calibre: inspire, lead, motivate, engage with people throughout the business
- Specific product and industry knowledge is not required, but if your experience includes big and valuable products that would be an advantage. However, at the end of the day, it’s just lots of boxes!
The future is very bright for this business. Come and play a key part in it.
To apply send your CV to matt@wilsonbrook.com
Director - Merchant
Excellent opportunity to join a long-established Midlands-based independent builders’ merchant!
Director – Merchant
Midlands HQ with travel throughout the branch network
This is an excellent opportunity to join a long-established Midlands-based independent builders’ merchant. They trade successfully from multiple locations and offer a broad range of products, from timber to heavy building to plumbing. They supply customers across the Midlands and nationally via their e-commerce business.
The business has benefitted from numerous investments over recent years: refurbished and relocated branches, IT and warehouse equipment. There is a committed branch leadership team. They are in a strong financial position.
They are now looking to recruit a new Director to help take the business forward. Potential candidates should have:
- A successful track record of profitably running and growing an SME, multi-site distribution business in a senior capacity
- Experience in such a role within the builder’s merchant sector is highly preferred and beneficial but not essential - we're open to considering candidates from other types of multi-site/multi-product B2B distribution
- Sales/Commercial bias preferred as opposed to operational/financial
- Not just day-to-day sales & business leadership & trading. Broader commercial experience: procurement, pricing, category management and marketing
- Successful track record of growing a business: Sales, market share, margin; delivered via remote teams
- 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
- Naturally strong communication skills – across all levels of the business
- Willingness to roll sleeves up and always looking for opportunities to improve the business
- To be customer-facing and enjoy doing this
- Also interact with and attend meetings at industry trade associations, events and buying groups as required
- Based within a commutable distance of the Midlands (or willing and able to relocate within a reasonable timeframe), with regular travel throughout the branch network as part of the role – this is not an ivory tower/purely office-based job
- 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 – no procrastination here, please!
- Energetic and creative, resilient and tenacious
- 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
This is an excellent opportunity to be part of the next chapter in this business's long and successful history.
To apply please send a CV to imogen@wilsonbrook.com or call her on 07341 950447 or follow this link to view her calendar and schedule a call https://calendly.com/imogen-14
Business Development Director – James Latham
Excellent Opportunity to join largest independent trade distributors of timber, panels business!
Business Development Director – James Latham – a leading national, multi-site distribution business.
Flexible with location – role naturally involves regular travel
James Latham is one of the UK and Ireland’s largest independent trade distributors of timber, panels and decorative surfaces. They supply products to a broad range of customers, from contractors and merchants, through to designers and makers. The business can trace its history back to 1757.
They are stable, secure, and financially strong, with long-serving staff. They have a well-invested national network of distribution facilities. Acquisitions have been successfully integrated. They have a great culture with quick decision-making and an entrepreneurial approach. The future looks very bright for this business!
They have grown significantly over the last 25 years, with a turnover in excess of £350m, trading from 17 locations. They have a further ambitious growth plan with plenty of opportunities: new products, new markets, deepening existing relationships, increasing market share, and improving productivity and efficiency within their business by investing in facilities and technology!
Due to growth, future development plans, and a desire to take advantage of the opportunities they’ve identified (and maybe some they haven’t yet!), they are looking to recruit a high-calibre Business Development Director.
The Business Development Director will identify and pursue new business opportunities to drive revenue growth and market expansion, leading the integration of new acquisitions and products into existing business operations and developing and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders, partner companies, and trade associations.
This is a broad commercial and strategic role, not just front-end business development.
For more information, please visit: https://www.lathamtimber.co.uk/
Potential candidates should have:
- A successful career history in similar positions, delivering growth for the business via many initiatives. Experience within the timber and building products industry is an advantage.
- Ability to quickly integrate into the culture
- High levels of credibility and gravitas
- Can operate at pace with a high level of personal energy, inspiring people to come on the journey
- The ability to take considered and rounded analytical views that result in clear and strong decision-making
- Will challenge the status quo in their drive for greater effectiveness. This a successful business, far from broken. It’s more a case of evolution than revolution
- The ability to move between strategic viewpoints and tactical action with ease
- Exceptional communication skills: the ability to relate to those at all levels within the business
- Excellent leadership and team-building skills, with the ability to motivate and develop high-performing teams.
To apply send your CV to jonny@wilsonbrook.com
Or call Jonny on 07590 374079
Or please follow this link to view his calendar and schedule a mutually convenient time for a call. This way you'll avoid any voicemail tennis.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jpegler
For more information visit: www.wilsonbrook.com
