Job Description

South East Queensland | Full-Time | Senior Leadership

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Lead, Grow and Expand Our SEQ Operations

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CQ Diesel, part of the Waterson Group, is seeking an experienced and commercially driven General Manager – South East Queensland to take ownership of our SEQ operations and lead the next stage of growth across the region.

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The Waterson Group is a long-standing, family-owned Queensland business providing mechanical, fleet and heavy equipment services across multiple locations.

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A key focus of this position will be expanding CQ Diesel's footprint throughout South East Queensland, including identifying opportunities, establishing new branches and building those operations into successful and sustainable businesses.

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This is an opportunity for an experienced leader to not only manage an existing operation, but to play a significant role in shaping the future growth of the Waterson Group.

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The Role

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Reporting directly to the Managing Director, the General Manager – SEQ will have overall responsibility for the operational, financial and commercial performance of CQ Diesel's South East Queensland region.

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You will be responsible for existing operations while actively developing and executing our expansion strategy throughout SEQ.

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Key Responsibilities

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Full operational and commercial responsibility for the SEQ region

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Identify strategic locations and opportunities for new branches throughout South East Queensland

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Lead the establishment and opening of recent CQ Diesel branches within the region

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Develop business cases and budgets for proposed branch locations

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Assist with site identification, facility requirements and branch establishment

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Recruit and build the management, technical and support teams required for new locations

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Develop customer pipelines and secure commercial work to support current branch launches

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Establish new branches with clear revenue, profitability and operational targets

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Oversee new branches through their establishment and growth phases

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Develop the SEQ regional structure as the branch network expands

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Leadership and development of Branch Managers, supervisors, technicians and support staff

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P&L; ownership, budgeting, forecasting and financial performance

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Drive revenue growth, gross margin and overall profitability

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Monitor labour utilisation, productivity and workshop performance

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Manage operational costs and identify opportunities for improvement

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Ensure jobs are appropriately quoted, managed, completed and invoiced

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Develop and maintain relationships with key commercial and fleet customers

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Identify and secure new business opportunities throughout SEQ

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Workforce planning, recruitment and succession planning

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Work closely with Group management, finance, HR and administration

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Maintain high standards of WHS, compliance and operational discipline

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Implement and maintain Waterson Group systems, policies and procedures

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Provide regular reporting on financial, operational and commercial performance

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About You

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We are looking for someone who can genuinely run and grow a business, not simply manage a workshop.

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You will ideally have:

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Significant senior management experience within diesel, heavy vehicle, transport, earthmoving, mechanical or a similar service-based retail industry

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Demonstrated experience managing a multi-million-dollar operation, region or business unit

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Strong commercial and financial capability, including P&L; responsibility

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Experience establishing new branches, locations or business operations would be highly regarded

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Proven experience developing new markets and winning commercial customers

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Experience managing managers, supervisors, tradespeople and support teams

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Strong understanding of labour productivity, utilisation and job profitability

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Proven ability to develop and maintain major customer relationships

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Experience growing revenue while maintaining commercial discipline

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Confidence making decisions and taking accountability for results

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Strong communication and leadership skills

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A practical, solutions-focused management style

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The ability to balance growth, customer service, profitability and operational requirements

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A mechanical or trade background would be highly regarded but is not essential where strong relevant industry and senior management experience can be demonstrated.

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More Than Managing an Existing Business

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This position is specifically suited to someone who is excited by growth and expansion.

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We want a General Manager who can look across South East Queensland, identify where CQ Diesel should be operating next and then help turn those opportunities into successful branches.

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That means being comfortable taking a new location from concept through to operation — understanding the local market, developing the customer base, building the team, establishing the facility and ultimately delivering a profitable operation.

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As the SEQ network grows, so too will the scale and responsibility of this position.

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The Person We're Looking For

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We value leaders who are visible, accountable and approachable.

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You will be expected to understand what's happening across your region — from financial results and customer pipelines through to workshop capacity, staffing and operational performance.

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You'll need to be comfortable making decisions, having difficult conversations when required, supporting your managers and teams, and taking responsibility for results.

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Most importantly, we're looking for someone who wants to build something for the long term.

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This is an opportunity to take on a genuine senior leadership position within an established Queensland family business at an significant stage of its growth.

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You will have:

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Significant autonomy and ownership of the SEQ region

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The opportunity to build and expand our branch network throughout South East Queensland

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Direct access to Group leadership and decision-makers

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Genuine influence over the strategic direction of the region

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An established business and customer base to build from

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Support from Group sales, administration, HR and management functions

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The opportunity to build teams and operations from the ground up

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A diverse operation servicing commercial vehicles and heavy equipment

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A senior position where your performance and contribution will genuinely matter

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Competitive remuneration package aligned with experience and capability, inclusive of bonus incentives

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All applications will be treated confidentially.

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Your application will include the following questions:

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- Which of the following statements best describes your right to work in Australia?
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- What's your expected annual base salary?
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- How many years' experience do you have as a general manager?
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- How much notice are you required to give your current employer?
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📌 General Manager - South East Queensland
🏢 Waterson Diesel
📍 Queensland