General Manager

• Significant operational and commercial leadership opportunity
• Full P&L responsibility with genuine autonomy and Board support
• Drive performance, efficiency and sustainable value creation

Lead performance and the next chapter of an established Canterbury business

An exciting opportunity has arisen to lead a well-established Canterbury business providing products, project management and installation services to the construction sector.

With strong customer relationships and multiple channels to market, the business is entering an important new chapter under new ownership. This creates a compelling opportunity for an experienced General Manager to build on the existing strengths of the business while identifying and delivering opportunities to improve operational performance, efficiency and profitability.

This is not a caretaker role. We are looking for an operationally and financially astute leader who enjoys getting under the hood of a business, understanding what makes it work and translating those insights into tangible performance improvement. Interested?

What will you be doing?

Reporting to the Board and taking full P&L responsibility, you will take overall leadership of the business, its people and performance. As you develop your comprehensive understanding of the organisation, you will establish priorities and lead the changes required to create a more streamlined, commercially disciplined and high-performing business.

Your remit will include:

• Leading financial and operational performance, with full accountability for P&L, margin, cash flow and profitability.
• Identifying opportunities to improve productivity, efficiency, resource utilisation and business processes.
• Strengthening operational delivery across procurement, warehousing, project management and installation.
• Building greater visibility and accountability around business, project and channel performance.
• Leading and developing the team while ensuring the organisational structure and capability support future performance.
• Strengthening key customer and supplier relationships and supporting profitable growth.
• Providing the Board with high-quality reporting, commercial insight and recommendations.

What will you bring?

This opportunity will suit an experienced leader whose career has been built through operations, commercial and/or financial management. You will bring:

• Senior leadership experience within an operationally complex SME, ideally in commercial construction, contracting, building products, distribution or a related environment.
• Demonstrated P&L ownership and strong financial and commercial capability.
• A track record of improving profitability through operational improvement, cost management and stronger commercial disciplines.
• Strong analytical, people leadership and change management capability.
• A practical, hands-on and low-ego leadership style, combined with the ability to think strategically and work effectively with a Board.

Why consider this opportunity?

This is an opportunity to take the helm of an established business with a strong foundation, solid governance and shareholding support and significant untapped potential. You will have the autonomy to shape its future and make a measurable impact on performance.

For an operations-focused, commercially minded leader who enjoys making good businesses perform even better, this is an opportunity to make a genuine and lasting impact. Sound like you?

How to apply

For a copy of the position description and to apply, visit Decipher Group on https://deciphergroup.co.nz/job-opportunities/general-manager-christchurch/

For a confidential discussion about the role; contact Leanne Crozier on [021 245 2224](tel:021 245 2224) or [email protected]

Applications close: Monday 7th September 2026