General Manager SME

Our client is a specialized distributor of premium professional tools in Belgium, a company with a strong reputation for quality and reliability, located close to Brussels. Are you the very hands-on GENERAL MANAGER who can manage this small company into its next phase of growth?

THE ROLE

The General Manager will be responsible for managing the company on a very operational day-to-day basis, including effective management of the team (+/- 20 people), process optimisation, business development, and full P&L responsibility. This person will inspire the team through his/her “can-do” attitude and a proven track record of successful team management in the context of a smaller business.

Leadership:

• Inspiring and leading the team to achieve organisational objectives
• Effective team leadership (hiring, coaching, developing talents, conflict resolution, team spirit...

Operational Management:

• Overseeing of and actively participating in day-to-day operations
• Monitoring performance metrics to ensure KPIs are met, including sales, client satisfaction, working capital, quality of service targets, etc.
• Working actively on process improvements (a.o. automating the order-taking, via AI, chatboxes, …) and other efficiency gains (a.o. the handling of client complaints)

Business Development, Client and Suppliers Management:

• Maintaining relationships with existing suppliers (negotiating discounts, purchase conditions, brand development initiatives, etc.)
• Identifying and developing relationships with promising new suppliers
• Maintaining and developing strong client relationships with key accounts

Financial and Resource Management:

• Overseeing financial performance, including revenue and cost management
• Providing regular financial and operational updates to the Board
• Growth through acquisitions:
• Future growth will most probably also be co-realized through acquisitions;
• The General Manager will obviously also take up his/her active role in this.

THE PROFILE

• No specific degree requirement although reasoning on master level is a must
• Min. 10 years of leadership/operations management experience in the context of smaller businesses
• Leadership skills with a demonstrated ability to collaborate and empower others, regardless of their background
• Can-do attitude – the General Manager is expected to get the job done despite sometimes challenging circumstances
• Results- and action-oriented; a real problem solver
• Ability to handle a wide variety of tasks and competing priorities
• Ability to stay calm under pressure
• Digitally savvy and a keen user of technology
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in French, Dutch, and English
• Willingness to be based in Brussels (West)
• Open to working via own management company
• Familiarity with hand tools; being a DIY enthusiast is a plus.