Managing Director

Location: Flexible within the UK (Midlands or South East preferred)

Package: Competitive salary, performance-linked incentives, and share participation

The Opportunity

A highly respected, UK-based manufacturing group is seeking an experienced Managing Director to lead the business through a critical period of growth, optimisation, and exit preparation. With a turnover of c.£20 million and operations spanning three sites, the business is targeting a sale within a 3–5 year horizon. The incoming MD will be instrumental in shaping the strategic roadmap, creating shareholder value, and ensuring the company is positioned as an attractive, high-performing asset.

This is a confidential opportunity for a strategic, commercially driven leader who has successfully prepared and scaled a business for sale—ideally under private equity, family ownership, or founder-led conditions.

Role Purpose

• Lead the business through its next phase of development, with a clear mandate to drive value creation and prepare for a controlled exit event.
• Shape and execute a 3–5 year strategic plan aligned to enhancing EBITDA, professionalising operations, and improving commercial performance.
• Act as a key figurehead for the business, both internally and externally, ensuring alignment of all functional areas to the growth and exit objectives.
• Maintain strong operational grip while also managing forward-facing strategic goals such as buyer readiness, governance, and M&A.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and deliver a value-enhancing strategy with a defined exit plan (trade sale or private equity exit).
• Drive cultural alignment, performance, and accountability across all functions and sites.
• Lead and develop a high-performing leadership team.
• Oversee P&L performance, budgeting, cash flow, and capital investment planning.
• Implement systems, controls, and reporting required to support due diligence readiness.
• Work closely with the Chairman, Board, and financial stakeholders to manage investor expectations.
• Identify bolt-on acquisition opportunities that support scale and valuation multiples.
• Build and maintain key relationships with potential acquirers, intermediaries, and advisors.

Essential Experience

• Proven success as a Managing Director, CEO, or senior executive with ownership responsibility and exit delivery.
• Track record of preparing and positioning a business for sale within a 3–5 year timeframe.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing operations, ideally in plastics, composites, or moulding sectors.
• Skilled in leading transformation programmes, EBITDA improvement, and governance uplift.
• Experience working with, or reporting to, private equity, family office, or investor-led boards.
• Commercial acumen, with strong financial literacy and operational command.

Desirable Attributes

• M&A experience (either buy-side or sell-side).
• Ability to enhance organisational capability, succession planning, and talent development.
• Networked within relevant manufacturing sectors and advisory communities.
• Balanced leadership style—strategically focused yet operationally credible.

The Offer

• A genuine leadership mandate to shape, scale, and sell a respected UK manufacturer.
• Equity participation linked to value creation and transaction outcomes.
• A visible and highly influential role reporting directly to the Chairman.

Next Steps

For a confidential discussion, please send your CV or executive summary to Carl Walker. All enquiries will be handled discreetly, and further company details will be shared at the appropriate stage.