General manager – groundcare

A Rare Leadership Opportunity

A rare opportunity has arisen to succeed our current Groundcare General Manager, who will retire after 48 years’ service with the business.

Reporting directly to the Managing Director and forming part of the Senior Management Team, you will be responsible for the strategic direction, commercial performance and operational leadership of Ernest Doe & Sons Ltd’s Groundcare Division across our 19‑branch network.

Representing many of the industry’s leading manufacturers, including Ransomes Jacobsen, Iseki, Husqvarna, Stihl, Kawasaki, Amazone, GKB and Wessex, the division serves a diverse customer base ranging from domestic users through to local authorities, contractors, golf courses, sports turf professionals, educational establishments and amenity operators.

This is a key leadership role within the business, offering the opportunity to influence the future direction and continued growth of one of the UK’s largest groundcare dealerships.

Role Purpose

As Groundcare General Manager, you will lead and support both the domestic and professional groundcare operations across the Ernest Doe branch network, driving the sales of new and used machinery and associated products whilst delivering profitable growth and exceptional customer satisfaction.

You will hold overall responsibility for the Groundcare Division’s commercial performance, supplier relationships, stock management strategies, pricing policies, marketing initiatives and the achievement of agreed sales and profitability targets.

Working closely with Branch Managers, Groundcare Sales Specialists, Product Managers and support teams across the business, you will identify market opportunities, develop strategic sales plans and increase market share whilst maintaining the highest standards of customer service and aftersales support.

You will also be responsible for the leadership, development and performance management of divisional personnel, ensuring the division operates efficiently, effectively and in accordance with company objectives.

The successful applicant will manage relationships with key manufacturers and suppliers, negotiating commercial agreements, stocking commitments, demonstration fleets and marketing support packages that align with the Company’s strategic goals.

To succeed in the role, you will work closely with colleagues across the business to ensure customers continue to receive the reliable, honest and professional support for which Ernest Doe & Sons Ltd has built its reputation.

Why Ernest Doe?

Established in 1898, Ernest Doe & Sons Ltd is one of the UK’s largest family‑owned machinery dealerships, operating across a 19‑branch network throughout the East and South East of England.

Groundcare is an important part of our business, with nine specialist Professional Groundcare branches serving customers across the golf, sports turf, amenity, contractor and local authority sectors. In addition, domestic garden machinery and equipment is available through all 19 Ernest Doe branches.

Joining our Senior Management Team, you will play a key role in shaping the future success of a business with a long‑standing reputation for delivering exceptional machinery sales, service and aftersales support across the agricultural, construction and groundcare sectors.

The Ideal Candidate

We’re looking for an experienced and commercially minded leader with a proven track record within the groundcare, agricultural, construction or related machinery sectors.

You will be comfortable operating at both strategic and operational levels, with the ability to develop business plans, identify growth opportunities and deliver profitable results across a multi‑site operation. Strong leadership skills are essential, together with the ability to inspire, support and develop teams whilst maintaining a clear focus on customer satisfaction and business performance.

The successful candidate will have experience managing manufacturer and supplier relationships, negotiating commercial agreements and working collaboratively across different business functions. You will be confident presenting business plans and performance data to senior stakeholders and capable of making informed decisions in a fast‑paced commercial environment.

Most importantly, you will share Ernest Doe & Sons Ltd’s commitment to delivering professional, reliable and customer‑focused support, helping to shape the future success of our Groundcare Division.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, manage and develop both the domestic and professional Groundcare Divisions across all Ernest Doe & Sons Ltd locations.
• Deliver agreed sales, margin and market share targets.
• Develop and implement divisional business plans and growth strategies.
• Manage and support Groundcare sales personnel and product specialists.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers and manufacturers.
• Negotiate supplier agreements, stocking levels, rebates, marketing support and commercial terms.
• Monitor and manage stock holding, aged inventory and demonstrator fleets.
• Work closely with Branch Managers and other company personnel to identify opportunities and improve divisional performance.
• Support and develop key customer relationships including local authorities, contractors, sports turf, golf, education and amenity customers.
• Oversee divisional marketing activities in conjunction with the marketing team and supplier partners.
• Ensure high standards of customer satisfaction and aftersales support are maintained throughout the division.
• Analyse market trends, competitor activity and business performance data to identify opportunities and mitigate risks.
• Prepare and present regular management reports, forecasts and budgets to the Managing Director and Board.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, health and safety requirements and manufacturer standards.
• Drive continuous improvement across all areas of the Groundcare Division.

Essential Skills / Experience

• Proven senior sales management experience within the Groundcare, Agricultural, Construction or related machinery sectors.
• Strong commercial awareness with a proven ability to deliver profitable business growth.
• Sound knowledge of the Groundcare and Amenity machinery market.
• Experience of managing supplier and manufacturer relationships at a senior level.
• Strong leadership and people management skills with experience leading multi‑site teams.
• Ability to identify and deliver strategic objectives that drive business performance.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills at all levels of the organisation.
• Strong customer relationship management skills with the ability to develop long‑term partnerships.
• Experience of negotiating commercial agreements and supplier terms.
• Ability to analyse data, interpret trends and make informed business decisions.
• Strong financial awareness including budgeting, forecasting and stock management.
• High level of IT literacy including Microsoft 365, ERP and CRM systems.
• Ability to work under pressure within a large, multi‑branch organisation.
• High level of discretion, professionalism and confidentiality.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across departments to achieve shared business objectives.
• Experience presenting business performance and strategic plans to senior management and Board‑level stakeholders.
• Self‑motivated, organised and capable of working under own initiative.
• Strong decision‑making skills with the confidence to act quickly and decisively.
• Accountability for personal and team performance.

Additional Information

Location: Ulting, Maldon, Essex

Hours: 42.5 hours per week – 8:00am to 5:30pm Monday to Friday (1‑hour unpaid lunch). Additional hours may be required during peak trading periods, exhibitions, demonstrations and supplier events.

Salary: Competitive, depending on experience, plus company car, performance‑related bonus, company pension and private health insurance.

Contract: Permanent, Full‑time, Salaried

Closing Date: Friday 10 July 2026. Early applications are encouraged, as we may close the vacancy once a suitable candidate is identified.