Offer details
Managing Director – Canada (Industrial Solutions)
Our client, a globally recognized leader in the material handling and industrial equipment sector, is seeking a hands-on, commercially-driven Managing Director to lead their Canadian operations.
This is a unique "player-coach" role designed for a leader who thrives on direct customer engagement while overseeing the full health of a national subsidiary. The ideal candidate will be a technical expert in the forklift or material handling industry who can navigate complex sales while fostering a collaborative relationship with international manufacturing plants.
The Role: Strategic Leadership & Sales Excellence
As the Managing Director, you will hold full P&L responsibility for the Canadian branch. While you will lead a dedicated team of sales, operations, and technical professionals, your primary focus will be active business development—personally driving nearly 60-70% of the company’s revenue through direct ownership of key accounts.
Key Responsibilities:
- Direct Sales Ownership: Personally manage the Eastern Canada territory, spending significant time in the field visiting customers and closing major framework contracts.
- Operational Oversight: Supervise a lean team across sales, operations, technical support, and shipping, ensuring a results-driven and customer-focused culture.
- Global Liaison: Act as the primary interface between Canadian customers and international manufacturing plants (specifically in Italy and the USA) to ensure technical accuracy and product alignment.
- Financial & Administrative Management: Manage the P&L, EBITA, and working capital. You will oversee the implementation of new integrated software to streamline reporting and administrative tasks.
Must-Have Qualifications:
- Industry Expertise: Proven background in the Forklift or Material Handling business is essential. You must be able to provide technical advice on equipment specifications and solutions.
- Languages: Full bilingualism (English/French) is mandatory.
- Sales Drive: A passionate "hunter" who enjoys being on the road and building long-term relationships.
- Leadership: Experience managing small, multidisciplinary teams in a lean, multinational environment.
- Location: Preferably based in the Greater Montreal area (Québec), with the ability to be in the office (near Montreal) approximately 4 days a week when not traveling to customers.
Soft Skills & Cultural Fit:
- Patience & Diplomacy: The ability to manage customer pressure and navigate international corporate structures with a solution-oriented mindset.
- Precision: High accuracy with numbers, reporting, and financial data.
- Trust-Builder: We are not looking for a "pure salesman" driven only by figures. We need a partner who gains loyalty through expertise and integrity.