Commercial and Operations Director in Wakefield

Elevation Recruitment Group are excited to be exclusively partnered with ICW in Wakefield, who are looking to appoint a Commercial & Operations Director to take ownership of the commercial function and day-to-day factory operations.

The business operates within the construction products sector, supplying customers through a project-led B2B model. They are looking for someone who can drive new business, develop existing customer relationships and take responsibility for the operational performance of the factory. 

Reporting closely into the Chair, the Commercial & Operations Director will take a hands-on approach across both sides of the business. You will be the main point of contact for customers, managing opportunities from initial enquiry and technical specification through to quotation, order and aftercare, whilst ensuring the factory delivers against customer expectations.

This is a varied leadership role suited to someone who combines strong commercial instincts with a technical understanding of manufacturing. You will need to be comfortable winning work, protecting margins and building relationships, whilst also having the credibility to lead an experienced production team and oversee day-to-day factory performance.

Duties of the Commercial & Operations Director will include:

• Taking ownership of the commercial function, acting as the main point of contact for customers throughout the sales and order process

• Developing new business opportunities across architects, specifiers, contractors and installers

• Managing the sales pipeline, following up quotations and developing repeat business with existing customers

• Preparing and pricing quotations, ensuring commercial competitiveness whilst protecting profit margins

• Leading tender and specification work, dealing with technical queries, performance data and compliance documentation

• Building relationships with customers, contractors and system suppliers, representing the business at site meetings and industry events

• Overseeing day-to-day factory operations, including production scheduling, workload, lead times and on-time delivery

• Maintaining quality standards, overseeing snagging and remedial work and keeping customers updated on progress

• Ensuring compliance with Health & Safety, product standards and relevant building regulations

Requirements of the Commercial & Operations Director:

• Proven experience winning and developing B2B or project-based business, ideally within glazing, fenestration, façades, construction products or a similar manufacturing environment

• Ideally from an engineering or technical background, having progressed into production, operations or general management.

• Strong technical understanding, with the ability to interpret engineering drawings, discuss specifications and communicate confidently with customers and contractors.

• Experience combining commercial responsibility, business development or project sales with manufacturing or operational management.

• Previous experience overseeing or supervising manufacturing or production operations

• Strong organisational skills, able to introduce and improve systems around sales pipeline management, quotation follow-up and operational reporting

• A confident, hands-on leadership style, capable of earning the respect of an established and experienced workforce

• Comfortable working closely with a hands-on Chair, with the confidence to challenge, influence and make decisions whilst understanding when to take direction

Suited candidates previously hold roles such as: Operations Director, Engineering Director, Manufacturing Director, General Manager, Operations Manager, Engineering Manager, Manufacturing Manager, Technical Director, Site Manager, Plant Manager, Head of Operations, Head of Manufacturing, Production Director.