Managing Director / COO

The Opportunity:
As the senior on-site business leader, you will oversee daily management, commercial execution, and operating performance within your delegated authority. You will align sales, product, supply chain, customer service, and finance to convert opportunities into profitable business and reliable customer delivery.
You will translate strategy into priorities, budgets, and accountable action. You will lead the Canadian team and coordinate support for U.S. sales and operations, while group leadership retains strategic oversight and major investment approvals.

Key responsibilities:
• Business leadership and performance. Lead business planning, budgets and performance reviews. Take accountability for revenue, gross margin, operating costs, operating profit and working capital within the agreed scope of the role.
• Commercial execution. Coach sales leaders, prioritize customer opportunities and establish disciplined pipeline reviews with clear stages, owners and next actions. Support major customer negotiations, pricing decisions and customer profitability improvements.
• Operating coordination. Lead collaboration across sales operations, purchasing, supply chain, inventory, warehouse, customer service, finance, IT and catalogue, quality, and data analysis. Resolve bottlenecks and clarify ownership of decisions.
• Service and inventory. Align demand forecasts, supply plans and stock availability with sales priorities. Improve service levels and inventory productivity while managing cash requirements and operating costs.

Required qualifications:
• Substantial North American automotive aftermarket experience and a strong understanding of Canadian customers, distributors, retailers, national accounts and relevant sales channels.
• Proven experience as a Managing Director, General Manager, COO or equivalent business leader, with genuine cross-functional authority and responsibility for a company or business unit.
• Demonstrated P&L accountability covering revenue, margin, operating expenses and operating profit, together with practical responsibility for inventory and working capital.
• Strong commercial capability, with evidence of profitable growth, customer development, pricing, negotiation, sales coaching and disciplined opportunity management.
• Practical understanding of multi-SKU distribution, demand planning, purchasing, inventory management and customer service.
• A hands-on leadership style, sound financial judgment and the ability to make decisions, build trust and hold teams accountable in an established organization.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English, lead on-site in Burlington and undertake business travel within Canada and the United States.