General Manager Industrial Services, Equipment & Technical Distribution

General Manager Industrial Services, Equipment & Technical Distribution Industrial Services, Equipment & Technical Distribution Palmerston North or Wellington based | Senior operational and commercial leadership role We are a privately owned industrial services and equipment business operating in the compressed air, pneumatics, technical product supply, service, repair, and equipment distribution sectors. The business supports customers across a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, primary industry, infrastructure, engineering, transport, construction, food processing, and general industrial operations. We provide technical equipment, service support, repairs, installation capability, product supply, and practical solutions for customers who rely on industrial air, pneumatic systems, and related equipment to keep their operations running. The business has an established customer base, experienced people, strong supplier relationships, and practical technical capability. We are entering an important next stage of development focused on stronger systems, better operational discipline, improved commercial performance, and sustainable growth. We are now looking for a capable General Manager to lead day-to-day business performance and help build the systems, disciplines, and operating rhythm required for the next stage of the business. This is a senior leadership role reporting to the Managing Director. It will suit someone who is commercially sharp, operationally strong, technically credible, and comfortable leading people through change and owning growth and development of the business. About the role The General Manager will be responsible for leading the overall operational and commercial performance of the business. You will work across service delivery, technical support, product supply, logistics, administration, sales enablement, customer outcomes, financial performance, systems improvement, and team leadership. The role may be based in either Palmerston North or Wellington (Petone) , with regular travel required across business locations, customer sites, supplier locations, and related business activities. You will lead the management team, strengthen accountability, improve operating discipline, and help build the systems, processes, reporting, and commercial controls required for the business to scale sustainably. This is not a corporate GM role. It requires someone who is comfortable working close to the business, close to customers, and close to the operational detail, driving growth and performance. Key responsibilities The role will include: Leading day-to-day business performance across service, logistics, administration, technical support, product supply, and sales enablement. Driving financial performance, budget delivery, cash discipline, margin control, working capital focus, and reporting quality. Improving operational systems, workflows, job visibility, stock accuracy, scheduling discipline, purchasing discipline, and internal controls. Supporting revenue growth through improved customer delivery, sales discipline, pricing discipline, service responsiveness, and operational capacity. Leading the implementation and optimisation of ERP and business operating systems. Preparing and presenting monthly and quarterly reporting covering financial performance, operational performance, risks, key actions, and improvement priorities. Leading managers and team leaders through clear expectations, coaching, accountability, and performance management. Identifying inefficiencies, removing duplication, and improving internal operating disciplines. Supporting supplier, customer, and key account relationships where required. Maintaining a strong customer focus and supporting escalation management. Leading the company’s health, safety, and wellbeing culture in a practical and visible way. Working closely with the Managing Director on business planning, structure development, growth opportunities, and strategic priorities. About you This role would suit someone with experience in one or more of the following areas: Technical sales leadership. Industrial product distribution. Compressed air, pneumatics, engineering, mechanical, trade, or equipment supply sectors. Branch, regional, or national operations management. Service-based industrial businesses. General management in a practical, customer-facing, technical environment. You do not need to come from our exact industry, but you will need to be credible in a technical, industrial, trade, service, engineering, logistics, equipment, or product distribution environment. You may currently be a General Manager, Branch Manager, Regional Manager, Operations Manager, Sales Manager, Service Manager, or senior technical sales leader ready to step into broader business leadership. Qualifications and experience We are looking for someone with a strong mix of commercial, operational, leadership, and technical-sector experience. Ideally, you will bring: A recognised qualification in business, management, commerce, operations, engineering, or a related discipline. This is preferred but not essential where there is strong relevant experience. At least five years’ experience in a senior operational, commercial, technical sales, branch, regional, distribution, or general management role. Proven experience leading people, including managers, team leaders, technical teams, sales teams, service teams, or multidisciplinary operational teams. Strong business and commercial acumen, including the ability to understand revenue, gross margin, cost control, working capital, stock, pricing, and profitability. Demonstrated financial management capability, including budgeting, forecasting, monthly performance review, variance analysis, and reporting. Experience in a technical, industrial, engineering, trade, equipment, service, product distribution, or business-to-business environment. Experience working with ERP, inventory, CRM, job management, service management, or other business operating systems. A track record of improving systems, processes, reporting, accountability, and operating disciplines. Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present clear reporting, recommendations, and action plans. The ability to lead through change while maintaining trust, clarity, and momentum across the team. A sound understanding of risk, compliance, and health and safety obligations. You will bring Strong operational, commercial, and people leadership capability. Credibility in a technical product, service, engineering, industrial, or equipment environment. The ability to build accountability, improve performance, and lift the operating rhythm of the business. Confidence working with customers, suppliers, staff, professional advisers, and senior stakeholders. A practical leadership style that is calm, direct, and commercially grounded. An ownership mindset, with the ability to identify issues, make decisions, and follow through. The judgement to balance customer outcomes, team performance, financial discipline, operational delivery, and health and safety. Personal attributes You will want to work with us as our values align: Integrity Uplifting Other qualities you will bring: Commercially minded. Customer focused. Technically credible. Calm under pressure. Decisive. Pragmatic. Improvement focused. Comfortable with accountability. Credible with staff, customers, suppliers, and professional advisers. Able to operate with a strong ownership mindset. Why this role? This is a genuine opportunity to step into a key leadership role in a privately owned business with real potential. The business has an established market position, loyal customers, experienced people, strong supplier relationships, and practical technical capability. The opportunity now is to sharpen performance, strengthen systems, improve reporting, grow customer value, and create the operating platform for sustainable growth. For the right person, this role offers the ability to have a direct and visible impact on the future of the business. Location The role may be based in either Palmerston North or Wellington . Regular travel will be required across business locations, customer sites, supplier locations, and related business activities. Reporting The role reports to the Managing Director. #J-18808-Ljbffr