Interim CEO

Interim CEO | Packaging Manufacturer | Buckinghamshire

Location: Milton Keynes (with travel to UK & Ireland sites)
Contract: 6 months (3-5 days per week)

Zachary Daniels Recruitment is delighted to be supporting this well established packaging manufacturing business with the appointment of an Interim CEO. Recently acquired by a leading private equity investor, the business is entering a critical transformation phase focused on operational consolidation, refinancing, and commercial repositioning.

We are seeking an experienced Interim CEO to lead the organisation through this pivotal period. This role will provide hands-on leadership, strategic direction, and delivery focus, working closely with the investor group and senior leadership team.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide decisive leadership to the Senior Leadership Team (HR, Finance UK & Ireland, Sales, and Operations)
• Lead the ongoing site consolidation programme to improve efficiency and cost base
• Support and deliver refinancing activities alongside stakeholders and advisors
• Drive pricing strategy and commercial repositioning to enhance margin performance
• Stabilise and optimise operational performance across all sites
• Establish clear KPIs, performance metrics, and accountability frameworks
• Engage effectively with investors, providing regular updates and strategic insight
• Ensure strong governance, risk management, and compliance standards
• Build organisational alignment and momentum during a period of change

Candidate Profile:

• Proven track record as a CEO or senior executive within a growth manufacturing organisation
• Strong experience in manufacturing, industrials, or multi-site operations - exposure to packaging would be ideal but not a necessity
• Demonstrated success in transformation, restructuring, or turnaround situations
• Commercially astute with experience in pricing strategy and margin improvement
• Financially literate with experience supporting refinancing or funding processes
• Hands-on, pragmatic leader with the ability to quickly gain credibility
• Available to commit 3-5 days per week, with regular presence at Head Office and other sites.

This is a high-impact opportunity to lead a business through a defining stage of its evolution, delivering tangible results in a short timeframe.

BH36040