Managing director

Managing Director - Environmental services

Location: Kent

Reporting to: Group CEO and Board

Direct Reports: Executive Leadership Team

Our client is a leading environmental services company specialising in industrial waste management, with a strong reputation for reliability, compliance abd sustainable practices. These are exciting times for the company, with significant growth in recent years and a strong trajectory for further growth.

In line with the opportunities ahead, The Board has decided to appoint a MD for the business. Our role is a unique balance of needing a 'heavyweight' operational leader who can navigate the nuances of a family-owned, entrepreneurial environment while driving a sophisticated and sustainable transformation to ensure the continued growth of this exciting business.

As part of a wider Group business, it is critical that the MD works closely with leaders of the other businesses in the division and across the whole Group. There is much commercial opportunity to be leveraged by an aligned approach across the businesses.

Why Join us?

This is a unique opportunity to lead and grow a £174m turnover powerhouse that remains agile and entrepreneurial whilst being part of a much larger group. You will have complete autonomy to shape the future of every aspect of the business with the full support of the family board. The family board is deeply committed to the sustainability and growth of the business and is highly supportive to this end.

The business has big and achievable growth plans. The growth opportunities are real for both the short and long term.

1. The Role Purpose

As the Managing Director, you will hold full P&L accountability for this part of the business. This is a high-impact, 'transformation-first' role. You are not here to maintain the status quo; you are here to professionalise the structure, align leaders and functions internally, and build a future-proofed organisation capable of delivering the group's ambitious growth targets.

You will lead The Board (the Executive Leadership Team), turning strategic intent into operational reality. This requires a leader who can join the dots - someone who can understand the granular and operational detail of a waste business or a logistics fleet but can also architect and deliver a three-year strategic roadmap for the family owners.

2. Key Responsibilities

Transformation and Alignment

• Structural Reform: Review and refine the organisational structure to ensure it is fit for purpose, removing silos between subsidiary businesses and shadow functions. Drive for efficiency and effectiveness whilst retaining the business’ unique culture and drive.
• Operational Excellence: Audit and 'Red Team' existing overheads to ensure the business is lean, efficient, and commercially savvy.
• Process Integration: Harmonise systems across the group (e.g. following acquisitions) to ensure a 'one-business' feel; minimise friction; and ensure that the end to end customer experience is outstanding.

Strategic Leadership and Board Management

• Leading The Board: Take full ownership of the Executive Leadership Team, fostering a culture of accountability, high performance (individually and collectively), and candour based on trust and ambition. The Board are already well aligned and recognise the importance of the new MD role - they are a high performing team who need more hands on leadership to enable them to be even more successful.
• Family Liaison: Work closely with the family owners, act as a bridge between entrepreneurial vision and corporate execution.
• Strategy to Action: Take the Group CEO’s high-level vision and translate it into clear, measurable KPIs for the board and the business.

Driving Growth and Future-Proofing

• Scaling the Engine: With the Group CEO and CFO, identify and execute opportunities for organic growth and bolt-on acquisitions that complement the 'Circular Economy' mission.
• Innovation: Drive the adoption of new technologies in waste sorting, recycling, and carbon reduction to maintain the company's market-leading position.

3. The Candidate Profile

Essential Experience

• Proven senior leadership (could be MD or COO in growing/transforming business) experience: This is not a step-up role. You must have successfully held a Managing Director or COO position in a business of similar or larger scale (potentially £50m-£100m+ turnover).
• Sector Expertise: Your background will ideally be in either Waste Management, Manufacturing, Logistics, or a similar high-volume, asset-heavy industrial sector.
• The Family Factor: Experience working within a family-owned or founder managed entrepreneurial business is highly desired. You must understand how to influence and lead in an environment where the owners are in the building.
• Turnaround/Transformation: A track record of taking an entrepreneurial founder-led culture and evolving it into a structured, scalable entity without losing its culture.

Package includes very competitive base salary, plus benefits commensurate with this level of role.

A relocation allowance may be available as required