Principal Connections has been retained by a leading provider of specialist distribution services to business-to-business customers operating within high-value and highly regulated sectors including semiconductor manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, food production and industrial markets. The organisation partners with a portfolio of domestic and multinational clients embedded in complex, mission-critical supply chains. Recognised for operational excellence, technical depth and enduring customer relationships, the business is now poised to enter its next phase of strategic growth.THE POSITIONThe Managing Director for Distribution will report to the Chief Executive and hold full profit and loss accountability for a prominent distribution business serving a diverse, technically complex customer base. Leading a sizable team across Commercial, Warehousing and Administration, together with a broader indirect structure, the appointee will define and execute strategy while ensuring disciplined commercial performance and operational resilience.This is a pivotal executive leadership role balancing near-term performance delivery with the development of a scalable, governance-led service provider capable of sustaining long-term growth. The Managing Director will oversee revenue growth, margin optimisation, working capital management and investment prioritisation, while strengthening customer and supplier partnerships, enhancing supply chain capability, and ensuring the highest standards of regulatory compliance, safety and quality across a multi-sector distribution portfolio.REQUIREMENTSThe successful candidate will bring proven experience in a Managing Director, General Manager or equivalent senior leadership role within a distribution, wholesale or supply-chain-led environment, with demonstrated ownership of significant profit and loss. They will have a strong track record of delivering profitable growth in business-to-business markets, ideally within regulated or operationally complex sectors.They will combine strategic clarity with operational credibility across logistics, inventory and supplier management, underpinned by strong commercial acumen in pricing, margin and customer profitability. A decisive and resilient leader, they will be comfortable leading established teams through change, challenging constructively at senior leadership and Board level, and building trusted stakeholder relationships across customers, suppliers, investors and executive colleagues.HOW TO APPLYTo apply, please submit a detailed application, including a CV, outlining how you meet the requirements for this exciting role. Applications should be submitted via the available ‘Apply Option’ for the attention of Darren McCabe, Partner.For a confidential discussion, please contact Darren McCabe directly.ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONPrincipal Connections is acting as an employment agency and has been retained to manage this important appointment process.Principal Connections and our clients are committed to equality of opportunity in employment.Candidates for this post will be sourced through both an advertised selection and executive search process.Only applications submitted through the available online application options (or via the email address provided where a print advertisement) will be considered.Please note that any offer of employment will be made subject to satisfactory reference checks as well as any other background checks and/or assessments deemed appropriate to the process.By applying for this vacancy with Principal Connections, you accept the Term’s & Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Cookies Policy which can be found on our .ABOUT PRINCIPAL CONNECTIONSis a leading executive search and leadership consulting firm serving organisations across Ireland, the United Kingdom and internationally. We are also part of (Est. 1984), independently ranked one of the world’s top global executive search groups. (55+ offices, 30+ countries, 250+ consultants).Visit our other
