Salary Secrets Unveiled: Building Blocks of Success

What does it actually cost to secure top talent in building products right now?

After 21 years exclusively headhunting in this industry, I’ve gathered salary intelligence that most MDs never see. Below is real data from recent executive searches across industry. I’ve purposefully selected a broad cross-section of functions and product / market sectors – the kind of insight that could save you months of failed recruitment and budget headaches.

Context matters enormously, for example:

• What a director commands at a £150m+ manufacturer differs vastly from a £20m company.
• A company seeking a Sales Director due to retirement that will manage a stable, well performing team, will cost less than a business seeking a transformational director who will rewrite large chunks of a sales strategy.

When clients approach me with unrealistic salary expectations, my value is consulting with them about how we gain access to the best options for the role. Often, consultants need to respect these limitations. Budgets set by head offices, salaries of peers, current company performance all place a strain on simply competing with other manufacturers in the industry.

Afterall, to be forewarned is to be forearmed! Setting expectations is critical from the off.

Here’s what the market is actually paying. Only basic salaries are quoted.

Sales Director – Fenestration

Brief: Established fabricator targeting both existing Sales Directors from SME manufacturers and National Sales Managers from larger corporates. Regional search covering Midlands and Northern Home Counties.

More context in this case study.

Sweet spot: £70-80k attracted the strongest pool

General Manager – Fenestration Manufacturer & Installer

Brief: Group board needed an all-rounder to manage remote workforce of ~50 heads following acquisition. Ultimate responsibility for commercial/contract management of social housing clients and production team leadership.

Market rate: £80-90k for this hybrid role

Aftersales Director – HVAC Manufacturer & Installer

Brief: New role driven by Carbon Zero targets and recurring maintenance revenue opportunities. Targeted directors from allied HVAC markets with strong commercial aftersales experience.

More context in this case study.

Premium positioning: £100-110k to attract corporate-level talent

Head of European Sales – HVAC Manufacturer

Brief: Medium-sized air quality manufacturer needed a leader to build revenues and teams across mainland Europe. Focused on candidates with experience setting up sales strategies while leading small teams.

Market depth: £80-90k attracted the most candidates

Operations Director – KBB Manufacturer

Brief: Market leader (>50% share) wanted to upgrade from a long-serving Production Director. Required leadership across production, logistics, and supply chain. Only 20 of 49 identified directors held responsibility for all three disciplines.

Scarcity premium: Limited pool demands £100k+ for combined skillset

Commercial Director – Cementitious Product Manufacturer

Brief: PLC subsidiary targeting 40% revenue growth over four years. Needed strategic leader for pricing, account differentiation, and development across specification, retail, housing developer, and merchant markets.

Growth investment: £110-120k for strategic commercial leadership

Managing Director – Bathroom Manufacturer

Brief: European parent company post-acquisition needed MD to integrate home furnishing products into UK market. Required expertise across trade, DIY, retail, and specification channels, plus e-commerce strength.

Final positioning: £120k base to secure the calibre required

Planning your next executive hire?

These figures provide a steer, but every search has unique dynamics. Company size, performance, location, and package structure all influence what it takes to secure your first choice.

Having led hundreds of functional and product-specific searches, my value often lies in helping clients secure the best option within their budget – not just pushing for higher numbers.

Call me first. Whether you want to sense-check expected salaries or discuss your complete approach, I’ve likely run similar searches and can advise on your best strategy.

The likelihood is we can find a smarter path to getting the leader you need.