2024 / 25 Bathroom Salary Survey

Throughout the past 18 months, Mark Goldsmith, Head of Building Products & Construction, successfully worked with several manufacturers within the KBB (more specifically bathroom) industry in the UK.

In providing you with a broad selection of functions headhunted, the below is the intelligence gathered throughout the process of approaching people for specific roles. Figures only include basic salaries:

 

 

Operations Director (to include supply chain & logistics)

Commanding over 50% of their product ranges market share in the UK, the Managing Director of this manufacturer wanted to upgrade from their long serving Production Director.

Based in the midlands, I was to target large building product manufacturers, who’s aligned director held leadership responsibility for production, logistics and supply chain. Of 49 manufacturers identified, only 20 Operations Directors held strong responsibility for all disciplines.

Operations Director (to include supply chain & logistics) Salary Survey

 

 

Commercial Director

Part of a larger plc, this individual manufacturer produced an ancillary range aimed at the specification, retail, housing developer, and merchant markets. The Managing Directors strategy was to grow revenue by 40% inside the next four years.

However, he inherited a Sales Manager, who was more akin to day-to-day management of ASMs. To enable the expected growth, the business needed a leader who could front strategies across pricing, account differentiation, account development / management (especially trade head offices and housebuilders). My brief was to target Commercial Directors from any building product manufacturer who sold into the same markets.

55 candidates, ranging from Commercial Directors to commercially strong Sales Directors, were targeted. These ranged from £20m SMEs to larger £100m manufacturers. Not all provided salary details.

Commercial Director Salary Survey

 

 

European Marketing Director

Turning over more than £140m throughout Europe, this market leader within sanitaryware wanted to consolidate four acquired brands into their established name. The European arm of this global business had never had a ‘go to market’ strategy. Furthermore, there was an over-reliance on trade sales, with the need to drive their specification message.

This was a new role for the European board. I was briefed to research and approach allied manufacturers across the whole of Western Europe. This led to over 100 potential candidates being identified, all being either Marketing Directors or Heads of Marketing. Not all provided salary details and those paid in Euros have been converted.

European Marketing Director Salary Survey

 

 

Managing Director

Having acquired a UK manufacturer of bathroom products, this mainland European based parent business wanted to incorporate their own range of home furnishing products into the UK market.

Fundamental to the brief set by the Group CEO, I was to approach Managing Directors of smaller (~£15m+) manufacturers who sell into their range of markets – trade, DIY, retail, specification. A more joined up strategy across these was required, along with securing an individual who had strength at developing a robust e-commerce strategy.

Although the below ranges are broad, to appeal to the required level of candidate, we were forced to pitch the role at £120,000 base.

Managing Director Salary Survey

 

 

Planning to hire a senior leader throughout this year? 

Before you go to market, let’s have a confidential conversation. Mark can offer a sharp, objective perspective on current market conditions and highlight potential challenges in your brief that could limit success.

If you're serious about attracting top-tier leadership talent, contact  Mark Goldsmith via email or call 07738 771720.