Location: Bolton / Greater Manchester
Salary: £60,000-£80,000 plus performance-related bonus
Reports to: Founder and CEO
The Opportunity:
Our client is an established UK activewear brand with a strong direct-to-consumer business and an international customer base.
The company is seeking a commercially minded General Manager to take increasing responsibility for its day-to-day leadership and performance.
This is a newly created, hands-on role covering commercial performance, ecommerce, product, operations, finance and people. You will work closely with the Founder, strengthen the company's operating model and help deliver its next stage of profitable growth.
There is a genuine opportunity to progress towards Managing Director over the next three to five years.
The Role:
You will translate the Founder's vision into clear priorities, plans and measurable results.
Your responsibilities will include:
Leading the day-to-day commercial and operational performance of the business
Taking increasing ownership of the P&L, budgets, forecasts and management reporting
Improving revenue, margin, profitability, cash generation and working capital
Leading ecommerce trading and improving conversion, customer acquisition and repeat purchase
Strengthening product, merchandising, stock and promotional planning
Improving stock turn, full-price sell-through and aged-inventory management
Overseeing supply chain, fulfilment, returns and customer service
Introducing clear KPIs, accountability and effective management routines
Leading and developing a multi-functional team
Identifying growth opportunities across products, markets and channels
Reducing the company's reliance on the Founder for routine decisions
This is not a role for someone who wants to operate at a distance. You must be comfortable moving between strategy and detail, from reviewing financial performance to resolving operational issues.
Your first 12-18 months:
You will be expected to:
Build a detailed understanding of the brand, customer, team and commercial model
Establish a trusted working relationship with the Founder
Review the P&L, cash cycle, stock position and customer economics
Improve budgeting, forecasting and management reporting
Clarify roles, responsibilities and decision-making authority
Strengthen ecommerce, product and promotional planning
Improve margin, stock productivity and operational efficiency
Assess the team structure and leadership capability
Produce and begin delivering a two-to-three-year growth plan
Take primary responsibility for the day-to-day running of the business
About you:
You may currently be a General Manager, Head of Operations, Commercial Director, Ecommerce Director, Trading Director or COO within a smaller business.
You will bring:
Senior commercial or operational experience within ecommerce, retail or consumer products
Responsibility for a P&L, business unit or significant budget
Evidence of delivering profitable growth
Strong commercial and financial judgement
Experience across ecommerce, product, stock, fulfilment or supply chain
Experience leading people across multiple functions
Confidence working with budgets, forecasts and commercial KPIs
A data-led, practical and execution-focused approach
Experience within an entrepreneurial or founder-led environment
Experience within activewear, fashion, apparel, footwear, beauty or wellness would be advantageous but is not essential.
Your leadership style:
You will be commercially sharp, hands-on and comfortable with detail.
You will also be:
Ambitious but low-ego
Approachable, direct and fair
Organised and decisive
Able to challenge constructively
Calm under pressure
Comfortable working without large-company infrastructure
Motivated by building a business over the long term
Package and progression:
£60,000-£80,000 base salary
Performance-related bonus
Pension and company benefits
Significant autonomy across the business
Direct working relationship with the Founder
Potential progression to Managing Director and equity options
To apply, please submit your CV together with a brief explanation of why the opportunity interests you and the experience you would bring.
BH36106
Salary description
£45000.00 - £70000.00 per year