General Manager

Role: General Manager

Location: Workington

Salary: Up to £74,263plus Company Car (including business and private fuel), 10% Bonus, 5% Pension Contributions and Private Medical Insurance

Role Overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a General Manager to take full ownership of a key operational site in Workington.

Reporting to the Operations Director and forming part of the Senior Management Team, you will be responsible for the operational, commercial, financial and strategic performance of the site. This is a broad leadership role with full accountability for profitability, customer satisfaction, operational excellence and regulatory compliance, while supporting the wider Group strategy and working collaboratively with fellow General Managers.

Leading a workforce of approximately 80–120 employees during peak periods, you will drive operational excellence across production, engineering, customer service and transport functions. You will be responsible for maximising plant performance, developing strong customer relationships, delivering continuous improvement initiatives and ensuring the site consistently meets financial, operational and compliance objectives.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced operational leader who enjoys taking ownership, influencing strategic decisions and driving sustainable growth while creating a culture of safety, accountability and high performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Take full ownership of the site's operational and commercial performance, with full P&L accountability
• Lead, manage and develop a workforce of approximately 80–120 employees, creating a high-performing and engaged culture
• Maximise plant efficiency by working closely with Engineering to plan preventative maintenance, minimise downtime and improve operational performance
• Collaborate with Customer Service and Transport teams to coordinate operations, improve service delivery and ensure an outstanding customer experience
• Build, develop and retain strong customer relationships, managing service level agreements and maintaining exceptional service standards
• Work closely with the Operations and Commercial Directors to retain key accounts while ensuring excellent service across the wider customer portfolio
• Drive profitability by identifying efficiencies and controlling operational costs, including payroll, energy, maintenance, purchasing, transport and textiles
• Act as the senior leader on site, ensuring full compliance with all Quality, Health, Safety and Environmental (QHSE) standards and legislative requirements
• Develop and deliver the annual Business Plan, aligned with Group strategy, operational priorities and financial objectives
• Work alongside the Financial Controller to provide accurate financial reporting and meaningful performance analysis
• Monitor KPIs, identify trends and implement improvements to maximise operational and financial performance
• Deliver key business objectives including profitability, operational efficiency, customer retention, business growth and QHSE compliance
• Work collaboratively with General Managers across the wider Group to support customers and maintain consistent service standards across multiple locations
• Influence strategic initiatives and support capital investment decisions that contribute to future business growth

Skills and Experience

• Proven experience in a General Manager or senior operational leadership role within manufacturing, production, industrial services or another complex operational environment
• Demonstrable experience with full P&L ownership and commercial accountability
• Strong leadership experience managing and developing large, diverse operational teams
• Excellent understanding of production processes, operational efficiency and continuous improvement methodologies
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing budgets, margins and cost control
• Experience building long-term customer relationships and delivering exceptional service standards
• Thorough understanding of Quality, Health, Safety and Environmental legislation within an operational setting
• Experience developing and delivering strategic business plans aligned with wider organisational objectives
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret KPIs and financial information to drive business decisions
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders and contribute to wider business strategy
• Excellent communication, planning, problem-solving and decision-making skills

About You

You are an experienced operational leader who thrives on taking ownership of a site and delivering exceptional commercial and operational performance. You combine strategic thinking with a hands-on leadership style, empowering your teams while continuously seeking opportunities to improve efficiency, profitability and customer satisfaction.

Just as importantly, you are a visible and approachable leader who knows how to bring people with you. You build trust quickly, communicate with clarity and create an environment where teams feel engaged, supported and motivated. Whether implementing change, improving processes or introducing new ways of working, you take people on the journey, fostering collaboration, accountability and a shared commitment to success.

You build strong relationships with customers, colleagues and senior stakeholders, and are confident making decisions that positively influence business performance. Passionate about safety, operational excellence and continuous improvement, you lead by example and create a culture where people and performance can thrive.

What's on Offer

• Salary up to £74,263
• Company car, including business and private fuel
• 10% annual bonus
• 5% employer pension contribution
• Private Medical Insurance
• Opportunity to lead a key business site with full operational and commercial accountability
• Senior leadership role with genuine influence over business performance and strategy
• Ongoing professional development and career progression opportunities

Don't meet every single requirement? At Realise, we are dedicated to helping our clients build diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplaces, so if you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every requirement, we would encourage you to apply anyway! You might be just the candidate we're looking for!

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