Deputy Operations Director – Designate Managing Director
Travel:
Ireland & UK
Reporting to:
Managing Director
The Opportunity
An established specialist industrial distribution business is seeking an ambitious Deputy Operations Director to join its senior team.
This is a genuine succession opportunity, with the successful candidate working closely with the current Managing Director through a structured handover, with the intention of progressing to Managing Director within approximately three years.
The business supplies specialist industrial products to customers across Ireland and the UK and works closely with leading international manufacturers.
The Role
You will progressively take responsibility for:
- Day-to-day operations and leadership of a team of approximately seven.
- Customer relationships, technical sales and business development.
- Supplier management, purchasing and stock control.
- Pricing, margins, budgeting and commercial performance.
- Business development, new markets and strategic opportunities.
- Process improvement, technology and AI integration.
- Health, safety, quality and operational standards.
The role is hands-on and commercially focused, with significant exposure to customers, suppliers and the overall running of the business.
The Candidate
We are looking for a commercially minded leader with a technical or business background and the ambition to ultimately run a business.
Essential:
- Degree or recognised qualification in Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science, Manufacturing, Business or a related discipline.
- Experience in technical sales, industrial distribution, manufacturing, engineering, adhesives, chemicals or a related sector.
- Strong commercial and business awareness.
- Proven leadership and people management experience.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
- Strong organisational and problem-solving abilities.
- Full driving licence and willingness to travel throughout Ireland and the UK.
Experience with adhesives, sealants, coatings, composites, packaging, woodworking, furniture, industrial manufacturing, purchasing, ERP, pricing or P&L management would be advantageous.
Career Progression
Year 1: Work alongside the Managing Director and progressively take on operational and commercial responsibility.
Year 2: Lead the day-to-day running of the business with strategic support from the Managing Director.
Year 3+: Progress to Managing Director, assuming responsibility for the leadership, performance and future growth of the business.
The Ideal Candidate
A practical, entrepreneurial and commercially driven individual who is comfortable making decisions, leading people, building customer and supplier relationships, and getting involved across all areas of a growing business.
This is an opportunity for someone who wants a genuine pathway to Managing Director rather than simply another senior management position.
Apply today, by sending your CV and I will contact you for a discussion.
Contact Aine ODwyer on 086 169 6824 or email for a confidential chat
By applying, you are giving consent for FRS Recruitment to contact you about this job. We collect your data for recruitment purposes only and will retain it for the duration required as outlined in our privacy policy. All CVs are kept confidential and will not be submitted to any clients without your knowledge and consent.
