An established and highly respected industrial refrigeration business is seeking an experienced General Manager to lead its operations and play a key role in a planned leadership succession.
The business specialises in large-scale industrial ammonia refrigeration systems, delivering complex projects across industrial and commercial environments. With a strong pipeline of work and a Managing Director planning a gradual transition toward retirement over the next five years, this role offers a rare opportunity to step into a senior leadership position with long-term progression and ownership potential.
Within the first 12 months, the successful candidate will progressively assume day-to-day operational leadership, allowing the current Director to step back to approximately three days per week while remaining available for strategic support and handover.
For the right individual, there is a structured and optional pathway to equity, aligned to performance, leadership capability, and long-term commitment.
Key Responsibilities
Operational Leadership
- Lead and oversee all operational aspects of large-scale industrial ammonia refrigeration projects
- Manage projects from design coordination through installation, commissioning, and handover
- Ensure delivery is safe, compliant, on time, on budget, and to specification
Client & Stakeholder Management
- Act as a senior point of contact for key clients and stakeholders
- Build and maintain strong relationships with customers, consultants, and suppliers
- Work closely with design engineers to ensure constructability, compliance, and commercial outcomes
Trade & Technical Coordination
- Lead and coordinate multidisciplinary teams, including:
- Electrical, plumbing, welding, and refrigeration service trades
- Engineers and project management personnel
- Service and maintenance teams
- Ensure effective scheduling, site coordination, and quality control
- Maintain a strong focus on safety and best practice when working with ammonia systems
People Leadership & Accountability
- Lead, mentor, and manage staff across project and service teams
- Set clear expectations and hold team members accountable for performance and safety
- Foster a professional, high-performance, and collaborative culture
Business & Commercial Management
- Contribute to business planning, forecasting, and continuous improvement initiatives
- Support strategic decision-making and operational reporting
- Identify opportunities to improve systems, processes, and project outcomes
About You
To be successful in this role, you will have:
- Proven experience in the industrial refrigeration industry
- Hands-on experience working with ammonia refrigeration systems
- A strong track record delivering large-scale industrial projects
- Experience working closely with:
- Design engineers
- Electrical, plumbing, welding, and refrigeration trades
- Demonstrated leadership capability, including managing teams and holding staff accountable
- Strong client-facing skills with the ability to build trust and credibility
- A current Australian driver’s licence
- Ability to work from the Yatala office and regularly attend project sites
- Residence within approximately one hour of Yatala (Southern Brisbane or Northern Gold Coast)
Highly Regarded (but not essential)
- Restricted Electrical Licence
- Refrigeration Licence
- Previous experience in succession planning or ownership pathways
- Strong commercial and business acumen beyond technical delivery
Why This Role?
- Genuine succession opportunity with a clear transition plan
- Optional equity / buy-in pathway for the right candidate
- Established, profitable business with a strong industry reputation
- Supportive handover from a highly experienced Managing Director
- Opportunity to work on complex, technically challenging ammonia projects
- Senior leadership role with autonomy, influence, and long-term security
Coverage Area: Brisbane & Gold Coast
Employment Type: Full-time
Reporting to: Managing Director
Succession Opportunity: Yes – genuine pathway to equity / buy-in
Incentives: Performance-based bonus structure
