Job Title: Managing Director, UK - Contract Furniture

Salary Range: £100,000 - £120,000 (neg) + 20%-30% Bonus

Ideally based: London / South East (Clerkenwell Showroom)

Travel: 20/30% of the time

Reports to: Global Sales Director (Europe HQ) & Executive Corporate Leadership

Responsibilities:

• Control and oversee all business operations, people and ventures for the UK business, working for an international manufacturer of contract chairs, tables, and furnishings for community, work, and home.
• They sell through the A&D and dealer communities to win specifications in commercial interiors, in workplace, hospitality and higher education.
• You will be responsible for the overall success of the business, able of coordinating marketing, commercial and logistics projects in line with the indication of the HQ.
• You will have a strong commercial acumen and excellent business development capabilities, supported by a wide network of professional relationships, with a solid portfolio of contacts with dealers, A&D firms etc.
• Develop and execute the company’s business strategies in order to attain the goals of the board and shareholders
• Provide strategic advice to the board and Chairperson so that they will have accurate view of the market and the company’s future
• Prepare and implement comprehensive business plans to facilitate achievement by planning cost-effective operations and market development activities
• Ensure company policies and legal guidelines are communicated all the way from the top down in the company and that they are followed at all times
• Communicate and maintain trust relationships with shareholders, business partners and authorities
• Strengthen and expand commercial partnerships through proactive networking and relationship management.
• Oversee the company’s financial performance, investments and other business ventures
• Delegate responsibilities and supervise the work of executives providing guidance and motivation to drive maximum performance
• Read all submitted reports by lower rank managers to reward performance, prevent issues and resolve problems
• Act as the public speaker and public relations representative and ambassador of the company in ways that strengthen its profile
• Analyze problematic situations and occurrences and provide solutions to ensure company survival and growth
• Lead and motivate the UK team

Requirements:

• Must have contract furniture market leadership / directorship experience within the UK
• A deep knowledge of the market, competitors and product range it is requested.
• Possess a strong commercial flair and persuasive negotiation abilities, combined with an aptitude for developing long-term client relationships
• Demonstrable experience in designing and developing business plans
• Strong understanding of corporate finance and measures of performance
• Excellent organisational and leadership skills
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and presentation skills Outstanding analytical and problem-solving abilities

Company:

• European HQ
• Turnover of ~€70M, with presence in 5 continents
• 200+ employees globally, team of ~5 in UK
• Strong focus on sustainability, the first furniture company to utilise pioneering impact valuation, a methodology that quantifies social and environmental impacts in monetary terms, moving beyond traditional qualitative assessments.