General Manager - Europe - Permanent

Our client is a PE backed manufacturer with established operations in six continents spread over 100 countries. With 8 manufacturing sites and 30 sales offices. The group has a P&L of c€300 million.

They are looking to recruit a General Manager Europe reporting directly to the CEO.

The position purpose is to:

• Lead the European business, and streamline and manage the teams (500 employees) in line with the overall company strategy.
• Steer Sales, Manufacturing and Supply Chain functions to build a solid demand plans and sales forecasts.
• Protect the margin and the customer by maintaining and gaining market share.
• Build a strong product strategy and rationalise product catalogue in strong collaboration with local sales teams and customers and product management.
• Manage a team of 9 direct reports, consisting of 500 employees.
• Develop and implement Europe business and sales strategies that align with the company’s goals and objectives.
• Managing budget and finances; lead financial planning, budgeting and forecasting for the European business.
• Lead teams to ensure that all aspects of the business are operating smoothly.
• Drive growth and profitability in the Europe region.
• Drive efficiency for the production sites (Belgium, Germany, Poland, Italy and Turkey)

Major key accountabilities include:

• Build relationships with key customers and partners to drive sales and increase customer satisfaction.
• Identity new market opportunities.
• Stay up to date with industry trends and best practices in sales and marketing and operations.
• Improve operational efficiency and time to market.

Candidate Profile

In terms of the performance and personal competencies required for the position, we would highlight the following:

Key skills & experience required:

• Track record as General Manager and P&L management. Experience in turnaround is a benefit.
• Industry experience in B2B engineering products.
• Understand pricing and has experience with omnichannel sales & marketing and e-commerce.
• Understands margins – both costs and prices – and has experience with margin expansion.
• Experience of driving performance management.
• Strong on discipline and Our client behaviours, which are Act with Urgency, One Our client, Getting Results, Diversity & Inclusion, Be Impactful and Personal Development
• Experience in cost and cash management.
• Based in Belgium or France/Paris initially with flexibility and travel to sites on a regular basis.
• French speaker ideal.