Managing Director

• Lead US subsidiary for a global food company.
• Full P&L and general management role.

About Our Client

A global leader in premium food products, the organization operates across multiple continents with a strong presence in North America and Europe. Backed by significant scale and recent strategic acquisitions, it is building a powerful international platform focused on growth, innovation, and operational excellence. The business serves diverse channels, including foodservice, retail, and private-label, delivering high-quality, innovative products to major customers worldwide.

Job Description

• Strategic Leadership & Business Growth
  • Develop and execute the company's strategic plan to drive growth and profitability. Identify new market opportunities, product innovations, and expansion strategies.
  • Ensure alignment with the parent company's objectives and stakeholder expectations.
• Sales, Marketing & Customer Focus
  • Define and implement sales and marketing strategies to strengthen market position.
  • Maintain relationships with key customers, distributors, and retailers.
  • Drive innovation in product development based on market trends and consumer needs.
• Leadership & Organizational Development
  • Lead, motivate, and develop a high-performing management team.
  • Foster a strong company culture based on values, accountability, and engagement.
  • Ensure succession planning and leadership development for long-term stability.
• Ensure Safety
  • Ensure compliance with national and international food industry regulations
  • Drive sustainability initiatives in production, packaging, and sourcing.
  • Manage risks related to food safety, environmental impact, and supply chain disruptions.
• Operational Excellence & Production Management
  • Oversee production processes, ensuring efficiency, cost control, and quality & food safety regulations compliance.
  • Oversee the S&OP process to align sales forecasts with production capacity, supply chain, and inventory levels.
  • Drive continuous improvement, automation, and lean manufacturing principles.
  • Optimize supply chain, procurement, and logistics for efficiency and sustainability.
• Financial Performance & Cost Management
  • Ensure profitability by managing P&L, budgeting, and cost efficiency.
  • Drive operational cost reductions without compromising quality.
  • Secure funding, investments, and strategic partnerships where necessary.

The Successful Applicant

• Leadership & Strategic Expertise
  • Extensive progressive leadership experience in the food manufacturing industry.
  • Proven ability to develop and execute strategic plans, drive business growth, and lead organizational transformation.
  • Strong track record in P&L management, budgeting, and delivering profitable results.
  • Experience managing multi-site operations and complex supply chains within a global matrix organization.
• Commercial & Market Knowledge
  • Commercial experience across foodservice, retail, and private-label channels, ideally with major national and regional customers.
  • Direct experience working with European businesses or within European markets, with cultural agility and cross-border leadership skills.
  • Experience in mergers & acquisitions integration and market expansion.
• Operational & Technical Expertise
  • Deep understanding of food safety regulations, quality standards, and compliance (FDA, USDA, and European/international standards).
  • Knowledge of lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, and automation technologies.
  • Expertise in S&OP processes, inventory management, and production planning.
  • Strong grasp of financial analysis, cost control, and operational efficiency.
• Leadership & Interpersonal Skills
  • Exceptional strategic thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving abilities.
  • Ability to inspire and develop high-performing teams across functions.
  • Strong communication and negotiation skills for stakeholder engagement.
  • Commitment to sustainability, innovation, and corporate responsibility.
• Other Requirements
  • Willingness to travel domestically and internationally as needed.
  • Fluency in English; additional languages (e.g., French, German) are a plus.

What's on Offer

• Competitive salary and annual bonus.
• Comprehensive benefits package.
• Work in a leadership role with significant impact on business growth and strategy.

Contact

Michael O'Connor

Quote job ref

JN-122025-6900563