Novo Executive Search
General Manager

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General Manager
Flexible Packaging Manufacturing
South Coast, England
Excellent Package
We have been retained on a confidential basis to appoint a General Manager for an established, privately owned UK flexible packaging manufacturer. The business has invested significantly in modern manufacturing technology, presses, automation and capacity. It is now seeking an accomplished operational leader to help translate this investment into further improvements in manufacturing performance, productivity, quality and customer service.
This is a highly visible, hands-on GM leadership role. The successful candidate will combine genuine technical credibility with the leadership capability to engage people, raise standards and deliver sustainable operational improvement.
The role
Key priorities will include:
- Improving output, productivity, OEE and plan attainment
- Reducing waste, downtime and recurring process losses
- Improving setup performance, asset utilisation and equipment reliability
- Strengthening operational discipline and accountability
- Developing managers, supervisors and operational teams
- Improving coordination across print, prepress, planning, engineering and production
- Maintaining a strong focus on OTIF, quality and customer service
- Progressively taking broader leadership responsibility across manufacturing
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
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Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
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Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
The role offers considerable scope to influence the future performance of the business and be an important member of the senior leadership team.
Candidate profile
We are particularly interested in senior manufacturing leaders who have:
- A strong career background within flexible packaging manufacturing
- Genuine practical experience of wide web flexographic printing
- Progressed from printing or production into senior operational leadership
- Strong technical understanding of print processes and manufacturing performance
- A demonstrable record of improving productivity, waste, downtime, OEE, OTIF and service
- Experience developing operational teams and creating greater accountability
- The commercial judgement and leadership breadth to assume increasing responsibility


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Location
South Coast, England
The successful candidate will need to live within practical commuting distance of the manufacturing operations. Relocation support can be considered for an exceptional candidate.
Confidentiality
This appointment is being managed as a strictly confidential executive search. The identity of the company will only be disclosed to suitably qualified candidates following an initial confidential discussion with Novo Executive Search.
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