General Manager - Joinery & Gypsum Divisions

Role Summary This position will assume full end-to-end Marketting & sales, operational, commercial, and strategic responsibility for the business. Reporting directly to the Owner/Chairman, you will drive business development, streamline project delivery, optimize resource utilization, and safeguard commercial performance. This is a high-impact executive role suited for a seasoned professional capable of managing both high-level client acquisition and site / factory operations. Key Responsibilities 1. Client & Business Acquisition • Drive revenue growth by identifying, pitching, and securing new turnkey fit-out opportunities across commercial, corporate, retail, and luxury residential sectors. • Leverage existing networks with interior design consultants, project management consultants (PMCs), architects, cost consultants, and main contractors. • Lead high-stakes tender presentations, value engineering negotiations, and contract closings. • Maintain long-term relationships with key accounts to ensure repeat business and early-stage project involvement. 2. Commercial & Financial Management • Oversee the complete commercial lifecycle: estimation, tendering, procurement, variations, valuations, and final account settlements. • Protect project profitability through rigorous cost management, value engineering, and variation tracking. • Manage cash flow by overseeing timely billing, progress certifications, and active collection of client receivables and retentions. • Review and negotiate subcontracts, supplier terms, and high-value procurement packages. 3. Operational & Factory Management • Direct and integrate all operational divisions—Joinery/Carpentry Factory, Ceilings & Partitions, and Painting/Finishing. • Establish clear project milestones, master programs, and QA/QC protocols to ensure on-time delivery without compromising finishing standards. • Monitor site execution, safety protocols (HSE), and material logistics across multiple simultaneous project sites. • Resolve complex site issues, authority approvals, and contractor/consultant escalations. 4. Resource & Workforce Optimization • Optimize allocation and deployment of the company’s permanent workforce (~75–100 skilled operatives), ensuring high productivity and minimal downtime. • Plan equipment, transport, tool, and factory material capacity to meet project schedules efficiently. • Lead, mentor, and build accountability across project managers, site engineers, estimators, factory foremen, and administrative staff. Candidate Requirements • Experience: Minimum 15 to 20 years of progressive experience in the UAE/GCC interior fit-out industry, with at least 10+ years in a senior management leadership role • Technical Background: Civil Engineering, Architecture, Interior Design, or Quantity Surveying with business management qualifications. • Track Record: Proven history of managing fit-out projects from tender to handover with full P&L accountability for mid-to-large-scale fit-out contractors. • Network: Demonstrated, active network of UAE design consultants, main contractors, project managers, and client reps. • Core Competencies: Deep technical expertise in bespoke joinery/carpentry, detailed knowledge of FIDIC/UAE construction contracts, strong commercial negotiation skills, and executive leadership capability. • Languages: Fluent in English (written and spoken). Arabic or South Asian languages are an added advantage for workforce communication.