Universal Handling Equipment Company (Red Deer) Limited is a leading manufacturer of mobile and stationary products for the waste and recycling industries with a reputation of innovation, quality, and reliability.

Operations began in the early 1960’s as a scrap metal company that made lugger containers for its parent company. In 1978 it was sold to the Gerrard family who recognized the company`s untapped potential. The organization’s focus was expanded and a more complete line of waste and disposal equipment was introduced to accommodate the growing demands of an expanding industry. By 1981 Universal Handling Equipment had established a reputation in the industry for developing innovative products and delivering quality service – values that the organization still focuses on today. High levels of demand lead to the opening of an operation in Red Deer, Alberta. This decision now made Universal a national supplier and showed its commitment to the waste industry.

For more information on Universal Handling Equipment please visit universalhandling.com.

THE ROLE

The General Manager is based in Red Deer, Alberta and works closely with the General Manager of their sister company in Red Deer and with the Chief Financial Officer and President (in Burlington, Ontario).

Working closely with the senior leadership team of 7 seasoned professionals, key duties of the General Manager include the following:

• Assuming all profit and loss responsibilities for the company;
• Identifying opportunities for growth and increased efficiencies and operations;
• Providing leadership and vision to Universal Handling to ensure growth and objectives are met;
• Managing senior operations, engineering, and sales staff, delegating decision-making powers as needed;
• Representing the company within the industry including to customers, suppliers, and at industry functions and generally managing the marketing of the company.

THE CANDIDATE

Core Competencies

The successful candidate is an outgoing leader with a fire in their belly who possesses the following core competencies:

• A proven track record of strategic leadership, including change management and ushering growth.
• Strong business acumen with a demonstrated successful track record.
• Significant experience in the industrial industry. Experience in manufacturing or fabrication is a significant asset.
• An established network of contacts to hit the ground running in growing the business.
• Experience in assuming an outward-facing role and representing the company.

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

Team-Centred Leadership

The successful candidate is a leader who is skilled at getting individuals and teams, and the entire organization to perform at a higher level and embrace change, even when weathering tough times.

Growth-Focused Customer Service

The successful candidate develops and maintains positive current customer relationships and fosters new relationships with a view to growing the business.

Financial Acumen

This person possesses a comprehensive understanding of financial analytics. They are able to develop tools for useful and meaningful financial analysis in order to set and obtain objectives for growth and profitability.

Communication

This person is an expert communicator.

• As a manager, this person delegates appropriately, develops people by setting and communicating clear goals, providing useful feedback, and holding people accountable.
• In communicating to the CFO and President, the successful candidate is candid and willing and eager to express new ideas.

Pragmatic Decision-Making and Problem-Solving

The successful candidate is a grounded, common-sense, and practical decision-maker. In facing complex problems, this person gleans meaning from whatever information is available and adds personal wisdom and experience to come to the best conclusion and solution.

Honour and Character

The successful candidate is a person of high character who is consistent and acts in line with a clear and visible set of values and beliefs. This person is direct and truthful but at the same time can keep confidences.

We understand and appreciate our clients’ ever-increasing desire for candidates to reflect the communities in which they work and live. The Vogel Group is committed to inclusivity and diversity as we search for outstanding leadership talent for our clients.

We encourage candidates of all ethnicities, cultural backgrounds, physical challenges, sexual orientations, and identifications to feel confident in exploring and declaring candidacy for any of our search assignments.

For a full profile or to apply, please contact:

Rick Vogel, ICD.D                       

Founding Principal                       

780.665.4965 ext. 101                  rick@thevogelgroup.ca