Manager - Small Manufacturing and Automotive Aftermarket Business
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Automotive Aftermarket Manufacturing Firm · StevenagePrepare for this interview
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About the role
This is a role for someone who wants to own and grow a business, not just run it. We are looking for a commercially driven leader to take day-to-day responsibility for the company, with a clear mandate to drive revenue, improve margins, and build for the future. This is not a caretaker role. We need someone who is hungry to grow the business, improve operations, and steadily raise standards. The Role (60% General Manager / 40% Commercial Manager) General Manager (60%) Run the business day-to-day, leading a small team in a hands-on workshop environment. Manage operations, stock, and supplier relationships to ensure efficiency and reliability. Drive operational improvements on the shop floor-better organisation, workflow, and standards. Use simple KPIs (revenue, gross margin, cash flow, stock levels, customer service) to guide decisions and improve performance. Take ownership of outcomes, not just activity. Commercial Manager (40%) Drive revenue growth with a sharp focus on pricing discipline and margin improvement. Develop and grow digital channels including our website, eBay, Amazon, and trade accounts. Proactively develop existing accounts, ensure every enquiry is responded to and followed up promptly, and identify new sales opportunities. Make sound commercial decisions within tight budgets, using financial data to inform actions.
Requirements
- A small-business practitioner , not a corporate manager-you are comfortable being close to operations and the shop floor.
- Commercially sharp -you understand pricing, margins, cash flow, and trade-offs instinctively.
- Hands-on and decisive -you move from problem to action, even without perfect information.
- Solution-first and adaptable -you find creative ways to work within tight budgets and change approach when something isn't working.
- Tech-comfortable -you don't need to code, but you are curious about systems, automation, and AI to reduce admin and improve sales follow-up, stock control, and reporting.
- A leader who builds others -you can delegate effectively, build confidence, and help a small team grow.
- Background & Experience
- Experience running or helping to run a small business or division.
- Automotive aftermarket, manufacturing, engineering, or similar SME background preferred (seatbelt or safety experience is not required ).
- Commercial or sales experience is helpful but not essential.
- Must understand how financial reports inform day-to-day decisions.
Benefits
Additional Information
Job Title: Manager Location: Stevenage The Business We are a specialist manufacturer supplying safety-related products to the automotive aftermarket. We are a true SME-practical, fast-moving, and built on a hands-on workshop environment where doing things properly matters more than layers of process.
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