About the Company:

Established for 85 years, our client is a fourth-generation family business with its headquarters in Smithfield, and sales and warehousing operations in Brisbane and Perth.

The company is a manufacturer and distributor of a broad product range with commercial, industrial and household applications. In addition to developing and manufacturing its own extensive range of products tailored for Australian conditions, it represents select international brands nationally.

The business sells through a network of distributors (over 700 active accounts nationally), through major retailers, and direct-to-consumer via its e-commerce presence.

In line with its growth strategy, our client:

• has substantially expanded its physical capacity in Sydney.
• is implementing new technology platforms to improve efficiency.
• is investigating growing its physical national footprint.
• is actively reviewing additions to its product portfolio.
• is open to exploring acquisition opportunities, an avenue it has successfully pursued in the past.

About the Role:

The next step in the business’ evolution is to recruit a General Manager to take ownership of day-to-day operational management and execute that growth strategy, enabling the Directors to focus on broader strategic initiatives and other business interests.

You will work closely with, and be supported by, the Directors through a thorough transition process, following which you will take ownership of the P&L, with the Directors remaining available to support you.

Supported by a well-established, engaged team, you can expect your first 12 months to include:

• assessing the current organisational structure and, where required, recruiting additional staff and implementing changes to that structure, aligned to the growth strategy.
• ensuring successful implementation of a new warehouse management system, a process already underway and tracking well.
• investigation and (very likely) execution of additional direct-to-consumer initiatives in particular product areas.
• investigating and introducing additional commercial and industrial product lines.
• overseeing successful delivery of an upgrade to the company’s website, again a project already underway.
• working with the Managing Director on strategic growth initiatives, including potential acquisitions.

About You:

We are seeking a leader with proven success, at general management level, in growing businesses in the wholesale distribution space sustainably and profitably.

You can demonstrate having:

• owned the P&L and overseen all operational functions.
• worked with customers including major retail groups, as well as corporate and SME distributors.
• translated strategic priorities into practical, executable plans.
• led teams successfully, maintaining engagement while increasing capability, establishing accountability, and building succession depth.
• overseen the successful implementation of technology rollouts.

D2C e-commerce experience will also be highly regarded.

Finally, we have a very strong preference for experience in leadership roles in family and/or privately held businesses in which you have engaged deeply with shareholders.