General Manager – Dometic UK/US Blind Systems
Purpose
The General Manager is fully accountable for the overall performance of the Dometic UK/US Blind Systems business, with full responsibility for the Profit & Loss (P&L), strategic direction, operational excellence and sustainable growth. The role ensures compliance with all applicable legal, regulatory and corporate governance requirements while fostering a high-performance culture aligned with Dometic's values.
Reporting to the Vice President Marine EMEA, the General Manager is a key member of the EMEA Marine Leadership Team, responsible for driving business performance, operational excellence, customer satisfaction and long-term value creation across manufacturing operations in the United Kingdom and the United States.
Reporting Structure
Reports to
Vice President Marine EMEA
Direct Reports
- Operations Manager
- Quality Lead
- Head of Design & Engineering
- Financial Controller
- Sales Director
- Product Manager
- General Manager – Dometic US Blind Systems
Dotted Line Reports
- HR Advisor
- Marketing Coordinator – Marine EMEA
Key Relationships
Internal
- Vice President Marine EMEA
- EMEA Marine Leadership Team
- Global Marine Division Leadership
- Operations, Engineering, Sales, Finance, HR, Supply Chain, Procurement, Quality and Marketing leaders
- UK and US site leadership teams
- Corporate functional leaders
External
- Customers
- Suppliers
- Strategic partners
- Industry consultants
- Regulatory and government authorities
- Industry associations
- External auditors
- Local community representatives where appropriate
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
- Provide inspirational leadership consistent with Dometic's Purpose, Vision and Values.
- Develop and execute the business strategy aligned with the Marine Division and Group objectives.
- Deliver sustainable profitable growth through operational excellence, innovation and customer focus.
- Identify new business opportunities, strategic partnerships and market expansion initiatives.
- Drive organisational effectiveness through a high-performance culture focused on accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.
- Contribute as an active member of the EMEA Marine Leadership Team.
Financial & Commercial Leadership
- Hold full accountability for the business P&L.
- Deliver agreed revenue, profitability, cash flow and business performance objectives.
- Develop annual budgets, forecasts and long-term strategic plans.
- Optimise working capital, inventory and capital investment.
- Drive productivity improvements and cost optimisation initiatives.
- Ensure effective financial governance and internal controls.
- Review commercial performance and ensure appropriate pricing, margin and contract management strategies.
Manufacturing & Operational Excellence
- Lead manufacturing operations across Selsey, West Sussex (UK) and Vermont (USA).
- Ensure safe, efficient and high-quality manufacturing operations.
- Drive Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement initiatives across all functions.
- Optimise productivity, quality, delivery performance and manufacturing efficiency.
- Ensure production capacity supports future business growth.
- Promote operational excellence through effective performance management and structured problem solving.
- Ensure compliance with all relevant legal, regulatory and environmental requirements.
Sales & Customer Leadership
- Build strong strategic relationships with key customers.
- Ensure exceptional customer service and delivery performance.
- Support the sales organisation in achieving sustainable revenue growth.
- Monitor market trends, competitor activity and customer requirements.
- Work closely with product management and engineering teams to identify future market opportunities.
People Leadership
- Build, lead and develop a high-performing leadership team.
- Create an engaging culture focused on performance, collaboration and accountability.
- Coach, mentor and develop future leaders.
- Drive succession planning and talent development.
- Promote diversity, inclusion and employee engagement.
- Ensure performance management processes are consistently applied.
- Foster a culture of continuous learning and professional development.
Health, Safety & Environment (HSE)
- Champion a proactive safety-first culture across all business operations.
- Ensure compliance with all health, safety and environmental legislation and Dometic policies.
- Drive continuous improvement in workplace safety and environmental performance.
- Ensure all employees understand and fulfil their HSE responsibilities.
- Lead investigations into significant safety incidents and ensure corrective actions are implemented.
- Promote employee wellbeing and a safe working environment.
Governance & Compliance
- Ensure compliance with all legal, regulatory and corporate governance requirements.
- Maintain appropriate business controls and risk management processes.
- Protect company assets and ensure robust internal controls.
- Ensure compliance with Dometic policies, ethical standards and Code of Conduct.
- Support internal and external audit requirements.
Stakeholder Management
- Represent Dometic with customers, suppliers, government agencies and industry organisations.
- Build effective relationships with key stakeholders across the business.
- Collaborate closely with peers across the Marine Division.
- Act as ambassador for Dometic within the industry.
- Support strategic business projects and initiatives where required.
Continuous Improvement & Transformation
- Lead business transformation initiatives that improve efficiency and competitiveness.
- Drive digitalisation and process optimisation initiatives.
- Encourage innovation across manufacturing, engineering and commercial activities.
- Build a culture of continuous improvement using Lean methodologies and best practice.
Travel
- Regular travel within the UK, Europe and the United States will be required.
- Occasional international travel, evening and weekend work may be necessary.
Decision-Making Authority
The General Manager operates with significant autonomy within the agreed business strategy and governance framework and is accountable for decisions relating to:
- Overall business strategy and execution.
- Full Profit & Loss performance.
- Operating and capital expenditure budgets within delegated authority.
- Organisational structure and resource planning.
- Recruitment, succession planning and leadership appointments.
- Manufacturing and operational priorities.
- Commercial negotiations and customer relationships.
- Continuous improvement and capital investment initiatives.
- Risk management and business continuity planning.
Qualifications & Experience
- MBA, Master's Degree in Engineering, Business Administration or a related discipline, or equivalent executive leadership experience.
- Minimum five years' experience in a senior leadership role with full P&L accountability.
- Significant experience leading manufacturing operations within a complex, multi-site manufacturing environment.
- Demonstrated success in strategic planning, business transformation and operational execution.
- Strong commercial acumen with experience in a B2B manufacturing environment.
- Experience leading organisational change and continuous improvement programmes.
- Proven experience developing high-performing leadership teams.
- Excellent communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills.
- Experience operating within an international matrix organisation is desirable.
- Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Operational Excellence and Continuous Improvement methodologies is highly desirable.
Competencies & Success Factors
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
- Strategic and commercial thinking.
- Strong financial and business acumen.
- Inspirational leadership.
- Results orientation.
- Customer focus.
- Excellent decision-making capability.
- High emotional intelligence.
- Outstanding communication and influencing skills.
- Strong negotiation skills.
- Change leadership capability.
- Ability to collaborate effectively across global matrix organisations.
- Innovation and continuous improvement mindset.
- High integrity and accountability.
- Excellent planning and organisational capability.
- Resilience and adaptability.
- Ability to develop and retain high-performing teams.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and ability to quickly adopt new business systems.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
Values & Behaviours
The General Manager is expected to consistently demonstrate behaviours aligned with Dometic's values
Pay: £80,000.00-£90,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company car
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
Work Location: In person
