---
title: "Case Study: Appointing a General Manager, Operations & Delivery"
description: "Case Study: Appointing a General Manager, Operations & Delivery Access Industries Client: Access Industries Role: General Manager, Operations & Delivery Search Type: Retained Executive Search Sector: Social Enterprise | Manufacturing | Supported Employment Location: Multi-site NSW (Seven Hills, Newcastle, Lithgow) The Challenge Access Industries is one of NSW’s most established social enterprises, providing meaningful and […]"
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url: "https://beexecutive.com.au/general-manager-access-industries/"
date_modified: "2026-02-02T15:09:48+11:00"
---

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**Case Study: Appointing a General Manager, Operations & Delivery**

**Access Industries**

**Client:** Access Industries
**Role:** General Manager, Operations & Delivery
**Search Type:** Retained Executive Search
**Sector:** Social Enterprise | Manufacturing | Supported Employment
**Location:** Multi-site NSW (Seven Hills, Newcastle, Lithgow)

**The Challenge**

Access Industries is one of NSW’s most established social enterprises, providing **meaningful and sustainable employment opportunities for people with disability** through large-scale commercial operations in packaging, timber and supply chain services.

With a newly approved **five-year strategic plan**, the Board and CEO identified the need to create a **new, senior operational leadership role** — General Manager, Operations & Delivery — to unify and strengthen operations across multiple complex manufacturing and production sites.

This was a highly nuanced brief, requiring a leader who could operate confidently in a **commercial manufacturing environment**, while deeply understanding the responsibilities of supported employment and inclusive workplaces.

Key challenges included:

- Leading **complex packaging and manufacturing sites** with strict quality, safety and compliance requirements (including TGA, ISO and customer accreditation standards)
- Balancing **commercial performance, margins and DIFOT** with social purpose and supported employment outcomes
- Integrating **multi-site operations** into a more unified and consistent delivery model
- Leading large, diverse workforces including supported employees, supervisors and operational leaders
- Operating at an **executive and Board level**, contributing to long-term growth, acquisitions and service diversification

This role required a rare blend of **hands-on operational expertise**, **strategic leadership capability**, and **values-led people leadership**.

**Our Approach**

Be Executive partnered with Access Industries through a **retained search**, working closely with the CEO and Board to shape and refine the role before going to market.

Our approach focused on:

- Deep discovery to understand Access Industries’ **commercial model, social mission and future growth plans**
- Translating a complex brief into a compelling executive narrative that would resonate with senior operational leaders
- Conducting a **targeted national search** across manufacturing, FMCG, packaging and industrial operations — including candidates not actively seeking new roles
- Assessing candidates not only on technical and commercial capability, but on **leadership style, cultural alignment and values fit**
- Testing the ability to operate across **strategy and execution**, particularly in environments with vulnerable workforces and high compliance requirements

Given the seniority and impact of the role, the retained process allowed for a measured, high-quality assessment and close partnership with the client throughout decision-making.

**The Outcome**

The search resulted in the successful appointment of a **General Manager, Operations & Delivery** with the capability to:

- Lead and integrate large-scale production operations across multiple NSW sites
- Strengthen operational discipline, efficiency and commercial outcomes
- Maintain high standards of safety, quality and accreditation
- Build strong relationships with major commercial customers
- Lead and develop diverse teams, including supported employees
- Contribute meaningfully to Access Industries’ Executive Committee and long-term strategic objectives

The appointment provides Access Industries with a senior operational leader who can **bridge commercial performance and social impact**, supporting both immediate operational excellence and future growth.

**Why Retained Search Was Critical**

This role could not be filled through a transactional or volume recruitment approach.

A retained search enabled:

- Access to a **broader and more senior talent pool**
- Careful assessment of leadership capability in **complex, regulated manufacturing environments**
- Alignment between operational delivery, people leadership and organisational values
- A trusted advisory partnership with the CEO and Board throughout the process
- Confidence that the final appointment could deliver on both **commercial and social outcomes**

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**The Result**

✔ Appointment of a senior operational leader aligned to Access Industries’ mission
✔ Strong capability across manufacturing, people leadership and executive contribution
✔ Increased confidence in delivering the five-year strategic plan
✔ A leadership structure fit for growth, complexity and purpose