GM of Trade & Commercial

Location: melbourne
Job Type: permanent
Salary: Executive level salary & benefits package!
Contact: Terence Craig
Are you a dynamic, strategic leader with a passion for driving commercial growth and building high-performing teams? An established, Australian-owned company in the manufacturing sector is seeking an experienced General Manager to lead its Trade & Commercial division.
 
About the organisation:
Our client is an Australian family focused manufacturer with a rich history of supplying the hardware & construction trade for many decades. The company values are centred around trust, passion, motivation, respect, and lifelong learning. The culture is described as having a blend of corporate professionalism with a family-oriented humility. They value strong relationships with customers, and while they strive for high capability, they prefer to let their actions and customer advocacy speak for their brand rather than boastfulness.

About the role:
This key critical Leadership role reports directly to the CEO, you will drive the company’s growth aspirations and vision by deploying a demand creation strategy across diverse markets, including architects, commercial and residential builders, contractors, and a national trade store network (both company-owned and independent). As a key strategic leader, you will oversee five direct reports and a national sales structure of approximately seventy team members.
 
Key Responsibilities:
  • Develop and execute a dynamic sales strategy to drive growth and market penetration nationally.
  • Oversee business planning, set strategic objectives, and align resources to meet annual and long-term goals.
  • Cultivate relationships with senior executives, industry bodies, and key partners to enhance the company’s reputation and uncover new opportunities.
  • Drive customer experience excellence, partnering with marketing to integrate insights and shape the customer journey.
  • Develop and implement pricing strategies to maximise profitability while remaining competitive.
  • Lead, mentor, and develop a team of sales professionals, building organisational capability and future leadership talent.
  • Ensure compliance with regulatory standards and internal policies, safeguarding business integrity.
  • Monitor performance, set KPIs, and ensure accountability across the function.
  • Drive strategic planning, anticipating industry trends and aligning company goals.
  • Own budget setting and approval to drive financial performance
Qualities for success:
  • Humility: The ability to be humble, which is critical, blending corporate polish with a down-to-earth approach.
  • Leadership: Ability to lead, mentor, develop, and coach the team, including making tough decisions.
  • Communication: Ability to communicate the "why" and build aspiration within the team, providing a clear path forward.
  • Strategic Thinking: Capacity to develop and defend well-thought-out strategies, open to constructive feedback and pivoting when necessary.
Ideal background:
  • Experience in a related industry with a similar channel mix
  • Demand creation experience: Open to people with intellectual horsepower, even without direct experience, who can quickly understand the business context.
  • If you are an experienced executive transformational sales leader within aligned industry exposure (e.g., paint, adhesives, hardware trades, construction materials/architectural products) you will be highly regarded
  • An executive sales leader who has a track history leading transformational change and lifting capability
Benefits:
  • Executive level package will be tailored to attract the best qualified candidate in the market
  • 50% off retail price of local manufactured products, including friends and family discounts
  • Sportswear discount
  • Private healthcare discount
  • Paid Parental leave
  • Supportive and inclusive work environment
  • Access to our 24-hour EAP service for you and your immediate family
  • Ongoing training and support
  • Access to a range of workplace health and wellbeing initiatives
  • Professional and personal development opportunities
How to Apply:
For further information and a casual career discussion please reach out to Terence Craig at Six Degrees Executive on 0450481815, alternatively, if you feel you meet the criteria stated in the add please upload your resume for immediate consideration and we look forward to chatting with you.
 
Six Degrees Executive are the retained recruitment partner on this search, any direct applications will be sent to SDE for consideration in the selection process.

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