General Manager (CEO Designate)
Location: Harrow (Onsite) with travel as required
Salary: Circa £90k- £110k + Car, Private Healthcare, Monthly Bonus + Annual Bonus
About the Opportunity
This is a rare and exciting opportunity for a seasoned leader to join an established, fast-paced ecommerce business not as a caretaker, but as the successor. With the current CEO preparing for retirement, we are seeking an accomplished and driven General Manager to join the business with a clear mandate: over a 12 to 24-month period, you will transition from General Manager to UK CEO.
You will be stepping into a high-growth environment, taking full ownership of UK operations from day one. This role is designed for a proven leader who can balance the rigour of operational excellence with the vision required to drive a business forward. You will be expected to learn the intricacies of the business quickly, demonstrate your leadership capability, and earn the right to take the helm.
The Role
As General Manager (CEO Designate), you will be based at the head office in Perivale while overseeing a multi-site operation. You will have full Profit & Loss responsibility and will lead all commercial and operational aspects of the UK business. Your mission is to drive growth, optimise costs, and inspire a high-performing team, all while preparing to assume the ultimate leadership position.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Governance - Succession Pathway: Immerse yourself in all aspects of the UK business to seamlessly transition from General Manager to CEO, taking on increasing strategic responsibility as delegated by the outgoing CEO.
Commercial Strategy: Collaborate with HQ and the current CEO to formulate the annual budget. Translate high-level financial goals into actionable, measurable monthly business objectives that drive sustainable growth.
Risk & Compliance: Act as the senior point of contact for legal defence and crisis management. Review and execute key service contracts, ensuring full compliance with company policies and UK regulatory standards.
Operational & Cost Optimisation - Cost Management: Lead negotiations and monitor improvements across the supply chain cost base. This includes platform fees, courier charges, labour outsourcing, customs clearance, and truck delivery fees to drive efficiency and protect
margins.
Warehouse & Logistics: Oversee warehouse inspections and operational standards across all UK sites. Manage key initiatives related to labour outsourcing, third-party platform partnerships, and the handling of unsalable product.
Marketplace Performance: Monitor and optimise performance across key marketplace platforms to maximise sales channels and brand presence.
Financial & Performance Management - Budgeting & Analysis: Take ownership of the financial planning process, overseeing the breakdown and execution of the budget to ensure financial targets are met.
Incentive Structures: Oversee management performance, conducting quarterly bonus assessments. Recommend and implement improvements to incentive and compensation policies to drive performance and retain top talent.
Team Leadership & Culture - Organisational Planning: Oversee quarterly workforce planning to ensure the business has the right resource to meet demand. Manage the recruitment process, including interviewing senior hires.
Cultural Stewardship: Foster and promote a positive, high-performance culture across the entire UK branch. Lead by example with a hands-on, visible approach that motivates teams at all
levels.
Project & Change Management - Infrastructure Development: Oversee the operational aspects of office and warehouse facilities. Provide strategic oversight on the implementation of new procedures and critical IT developments to support scaling of the business.
Cross-Functional Execution: Take ownership of ad-hoc projects and duties assigned by HQ or the Group General Manager, ensuring alignment with the broader group strategy.
Essential Experience & Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent (Master’s/MBA preferred).
Experience: Minimum 10+ years of professional experience, with at least 5+ years in a senior management role.
Industry Knowledge: Proven track record in consumer products retailing, with a strong preference for candidates from the e-commerceindustry.
Functional Expertise: Commercially savvy with a working knowledge of marketing, accounting, and human resource principles.
The Successor: You are not just looking for a job; you are looking for a legacy. You have the ambition and capability to step into a CEO role within two years.
Hands-On Leader: Highly motivated and action-oriented. You are comfortable being hands-on where needed but have the strategic foresight to delegate and lead.
Resilient & Adaptable: Thrives under pressure in a fast-paced environment and can manage competing priorities across multiple sites.
Communicator: Possesses excellent communication skills, capable of influencing stakeholders at all levels, from warehouse staff to board-level executives.
This is a career defining role with a transparent pathway to the UK CEO position.
Executive Recruit is a boutique executive search firm specialising in helping organisations source and attract top-tier leadership talent. With a tailored approach, we partner with businesses to identify high-calibre executives who drive growth and transformation. Our expertise ensures clients find the right blend of experience and acumen to strengthen leadership and board effectiveness.
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