Managing Director Location: Northwest UK Salary: Attractive six-figure salary commensurate with role The Opportunity This is a rare opportunity to lead a successful, privately owned, design-led consumer business with a strong heritage, loyal customer base, and clear ambition for its next phase of growth. The business has been carefully built over several decades and remains close to its roots: values-led, relationship-driven, and proud of its reputation with both customers and suppliers. It combines in-house design capability with international sourcing and a highly responsive supply chain. Following a longstanding and successful Managing Director tenure, the business is now looking for a successor who can work closely with the Board to build on strong foundations; enhancing structure, pace, and commercial edge, while preserving what makes the business special. You will work side‑by‑side with an engaged and growth minded owner, playing a key role in shaping the next phase of the business. The Role Reporting directly to the CEO (owner) and Board, this is a broad, hands‑on leadership role with full accountability for business performance. You will take ownership of the day‑to‑day running of the business while helping shape its future direction and acting as a trusted partner to the owner. Balancing commercial opportunity with operational reality in a fast‑moving environment. You will:

Own the full P&L, with a sharp focus on margin, cash, and stock discipline Maintain and develop key customer relationships, acting as a credible and trusted partner Align commercial ambition with operational capability across sourcing, supply chain, and distribution Bring clarity, structure, and pace to execution across the business Translate strategic direction into practical, actionable plans Lead, develop, and align a capable and evolving senior leadership team Build a high-trust, transparent working relationship with the owner, providing support, insight, and constructive challenge where needed

This is not a "corporate" MD role, success will come from being visible, pragmatic, and close to the detail, while still leading with a strategic lens. The Person You are likely operating as a Managing Director or equivalent senior business leader within a privately owned environment and are comfortable operating without the infrastructure of a large corporate. You will bring:

Proven P&L leadership within a mid‑sized, commercially driven business Experience in wholesale, retail, or consumer goods, ideally with import‑led supply chains Strong exposure to major UK retail customers A track record of improving performance through better structure, discipline, and alignment The ability to operate both strategically and "in the engine room" when needed Experience of working closely with a business owner or founder, understanding the pace, expectations, and dynamics this brings

Leadership Style You are a grounded, credible leader who builds trust quickly. Particularly in environments where relationships, reputation, and delivery matter.

You lead with ownership and accountability You bring clarity without over‑complication You are commercially sharp but operationally aware You are comfortable in a business where pace, pragmatism, and judgement matter more than process You are comfortable operating as both a leader of the business and a close, trusted partner to the owner

Why This Role? This is an opportunity to step into a well‑respected, values‑led business at a meaningful transition point. You will have real influence and the ability to shape both performance and culture. It offers a rare level of proximity to ownership, with the opportunity to directly influence key decisions and the future direction of the business. For the right individual, this is a chance to leave a lasting mark on a business that cares deeply about what it does and how it does it. #J-18808-Ljbffr