General Manager - Environmental Sector

Salary :

Activity area : Business services, Industrial and manufacturing, Chemical

Post category : Executive search

Province : Quebec

Region : Monteregie, Montreal and surroundings

Recruiter : Stephane Faure

Contact us : sfaure@st-amour.com

Job description :

Our client is a North American leader, recognized for putting customer commitment at the heart of its strategic priorities. Within this context of sustainable growth, the company is seeking an exceptional leader to head its environmental division.

Reporting to senior executives, the incumbent is responsible for the overall performance and sustainable growth of the assigned business group. They ensure customer expectations are met by delivering high-quality sample analysis within turnaround times that outperform market standards. They also mobilize managers and employees around a culture centered on operational excellence, quality, customer orientation, collaboration, and continuous improvement. They develop and implement operational and commercial plans aligned with corporate strategy, while achieving or exceeding sales, profitability, quality, turnaround time, and cost targets.

Roles and Responsibilities:

Operations and Commercial Performance:

• Develop and implement operational plans, goals, and objectives aligned with the organization's strategic priorities and the needs of the assigned group;
• Lead and oversee laboratory activities to ensure accurate and high-quality sample analysis, delivered within agreed timelines and meeting market expectations;
• Achieve or exceed net sales and operating profitability (EBITA) budget targets, while driving sustainable growth in revenue and margins;
• Prepare the annual operating budget and rigorously monitor revenues, expenses, labor, capital expenditures (CapEx), and cost-control initiatives;
• Establish, track, and analyze relevant key performance indicators (KPIs), including turnaround times (TAT), productivity, quality, customer service, revenue, profitability, and cost management;
• Structure and coordinate laboratory and department activities to optimize resources, workflows, capacity, and collaboration;
• ·Make or recommend capital investment decisions in compliance with corporate approval levels and business priorities;
• Coordinate interactions between laboratory services and support functions to ensure effective execution of business priorities.

Quality, Technical Excellence, and Compliance:

• Ensure strict compliance with the quality management system, standard operating procedures (SOPs), methods, local policies, and all quality system documentation applicable to the group;
• Ensure operations meet or exceed ISO/IEC 17025 standards, applicable local and government regulations, as well as corporate standards;
• Foster the development, verification, implementation, and improvement of analytical methods and capabilities to meet business and customer needs;
• Ensure compliance with applicable health, safety, and environmental (HSE) requirements, promoting a strong safety culture;
• Adhere to all organizational guidelines and procedures relevant to assigned responsibilities.

Leadership and Human Resources:

• Lead, mobilize, coach, and develop a multidisciplinary management team and the employees within the assigned group;
• Create an environment that fosters accountability, autonomy, collaboration, informed decision-making, and employee development;
• Strengthen leadership capabilities and succession planning by identifying talent, delegating responsibilities, and supporting professional growth;
• Communicate, implement, and consistently apply corporate policies, procedures, and organizational changes;
• Conduct performance reviews for direct reports and ensure effective execution of performance and development processes across the group;
• Address employee relations matters in accordance with corporate guidelines and in collaboration with Human Resources;
• Maintain a healthy, respectful, and collaborative work environment.

Client, Partner, and External Stakeholder Relations:

• Establish and maintain professional relationships with clients, industry representatives, suppliers, regulatory bodies, and internal stakeholders;
• Adopt a professional, proactive, and solution-oriented approach to customer service, ensuring rapid response to critical needs and service issues;
• Collaborate with Sales and Marketing teams to prepare and price major technical bids, and to develop commercial and marketing strategies;
• Support the promotion of new methods, services, and instrument capabilities to the client base;
• Represent the company and its laboratories at clients, technical, industry, or corporate meetings and events;
• Establish effective supplier relationships that support operational performance, quality, service continuity, and cost management.

Skills and qualifications :

• Bachelor’s degree in a scientific discipline, business administration, engineering, or a relevant field; an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered;
• 10 years of progressive management experience, including directing managers and multidisciplinary teams;
• Knowledge of the environmental laboratory sector, quality systems, and accreditation requirements is a major asset;
• Demonstrated experience in sales and operations management, with a track record of improving financial performance;
• Proficiency in sales processes, pipeline management, commercial forecasting, pricing, and strategic negotiations;
• Experience in customer service management, organizational transformation, and change management;
• Training or hands-on experience in Lean Management, continuous improvement, or operational excellence is an asset;
• Excellent command of both French and English, oral and written, to collaborate effectively in a bilingual environment;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and ability to adapt to new technologies and management systems.

Behavioral Competencies:

• Strong strategic and business acumen, with the ability to translate corporate priorities into actionable plans and measurable results;
• Proven leadership of multidisciplinary teams in a complex, multi-site operational environment;
• Solid financial management skills, including budgeting, profitability analysis, investment planning, and cost control;
• Customer focus and commercial sense, with the ability to build relationships of trust both internally and externally;
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, backed by sound judgment and a results-driven approach;
• Ability to drive change, foster continuous improvement, and maintain alignment across teams and functions;
• Excellent communication, influence, organization, and priority management skills;
• High level of professionalism, integrity, discretion, and accountability;
• Ability to work independently while fostering a culture of collaboration and teamwork.