Managing Director Confidential

Managing Director

Ford & Stanley Executive Search (Part of the Ford & Stanley Group) are specialists in Executive Interim and Permanent appointments to the UK & North American, Rail, Engineering, Technology and General Manufacturing Industries.

We have been exclusively entrusted and appointed on a retained search for a Managing Director that will be pivotal in ensuring the continued growth and evolution of the business.

Below you will find an 'opportunity brief' developed from notes taken during the scoping meeting (Situational Discovery) held between the Director of Ford and Stanley Executive Search, Business Manager of F&S Executive Search, Group Human Resources Director and Group Managing Director. This brief is designed to give candidates a deeper insight into the opportunity inherent within the role, the challenges the role presents and provide access to the detail that sits behind the job specification.

Client Opportunity Statement:

"We are a niche, rapidly growing engineering solutions business. Paramount to the continued growth and development of the business is the hiring of a charismatic and inspirational Managing Director. Someone who will be able to set clear strategy and direction for the business, motivate the teams and drive growth."

"This role will require a keen focus on the capability of the teams within the business. We need a renewed focus on how we as a senior leadership team lead and motivate our people alongside careful consideration around the organisational structure that we implement. Ensuring we get the best out of all individuals within the business and provide us the best opportunity to ensure this business maximises it's potential!"

"Ultimately, we are looking for a hands-on Managing Director who wants to 'get into the thick of it', develop a thorough understanding of the business, it's people and services. You will use this knowledge in tandem with a winning strategy to drive increases to financial performance."

The Opportunity

Main challenges that will be encountered in the 1st year:

• Balancing the Engineering, Sales and Commercial, BD activities and ensuring positive communication and collaboration between functions.
• Lifting the teams with a vision, mission strategy with positive energy and spirit which has gone a bit stale under current leadership.
• The current organisational structure in place does not get 'the most' out of the people within it. It's expected it will need a re - org to set a structure for success and growth.

Top deliverables in the 1st year:

• Successfully achieve this years corporate plan (Which has been set conservatively) and work on developing a strategic corporate plan for the following year. 
• Develop an organisational structure that sets the business up for growth.
• Utilising the improved strategy, demonstrate improved financial performance.

Agreed Hard Skills for candidates to secure an interview:

• A proven track record in a technology, engineering or manufacturing business. Open minded as to the background
• A 'commercial bias', someone with a strong background in commercial, sales and ultimately - business growth.
• Exposure to small, niche businesses where being 'hands on' is of paramount importance.
• A strong decision maker and communicator, capable of setting strategy and direction and seeing it through to operational delivery
• A proven and capable leader, able to motivate, inspire and lead a team of capable people.
• Based within 1 hours commute of Sheffield  

Agreed Soft Skills for candidates to secure an interview:

• An individual capable of being 'externally facing', complete with charisma and 'energy'.
• Engaging and inspirational with their teams.
• Confident articulate communicator able to manage up (into group, peer MD's or board)
• Entrepreneurial mindset and determined to succeed.

Good to know:

• This is a full, confidential search that has arisen as a result of the need to improve leadership performance within the business noting that the current incumbent has been supported for 15 months in post.
• The role reports to Group MD with additional exposure to CEO and other Group Stakeholders / Peer Subsidiary MDs
• The headcount of the business is currently circa 30 with the potential to grow to 50 should the business hit it's growth potential.
• The business fluctuates between £3m - £5m turnover with a peak of £5.7m and a target of £10m turnover within two years.
• The incoming MD will be expected to be entrepreneurial & commercially focussed with an ability to set strong direction, drive growth and improve performance.
• The role will be hands on and suit someone with a strong desire to 'be in amongst it'.
• Additionally, it will be expected that the incoming MD will be keen to build relationships with the wider group, manage perception and make a conscious effort to be 'involved'.
• It is important to note that Unipart have spent 15 months mentoring, supporting and working closely with the incumbent prior to the decision to make a change.
• The Group MD held the role in an interim capacity prior to the arrival of the MD and achieved the businesses strongest financial performance (£5.7m).
• The role currently has six direct reports (Group HR, Sales, Engineering, Projects, Operations, Office Support) although it is expected that the incoming MD will make strategic changes to the structure.   
• The challenges with the leadership have revolved around lack of strategy, engagement in the business and direction. Ultimately, this has resulted in a decline in financial performance.
• Additionally, it's felt that the incumbent does not have a full and in depth understanding of either