• Lead a highly respected specialist manufacturer through a critical growth and transition phase
• Hands-on MD role with influence across strategy, customers, operations and Australian expansion
• Christchurch-based opportunity in a quality-driven, regulated medical device / optical environment

The Corneal Lens Corporation (CLC) are seeking a Managing Director to lead the business through its next phase of growth, diversification and operational maturity.
 
CLC is New Zealand's leading specialist contact lens manufacturer, operating from a purpose-built, ISO 13485 certified facility in Christchurch. The business designs and manufactures custom RGP, scleral, ortho-k and soft lenses, supplying practitioners in New Zealand and offshore markets including Australia and Asia. Additionally, CLC is a distributor for dry eye products, contact lens solution, disposable contact lenses and Ortho-K lenses.
 
Following the passing of its well-respected founder and long-serving Managing Director, the business is now seeking an experienced, industry-grounded leader to step into this pivotal role.
 
The opportunity
 
Reporting to the Board, the Managing Director will have full responsibility for the performance and future direction of the business. Key priorities include: 

• Growing new customers, channels and markets
• Managing and strengthening key customer relationships while diversifying the revenue base
• Expanding CLC's presence in the Australian and other international market's
• Identifying and assessing potential acquisition opportunities over time
• Maintaining the highest standards of quality, compliance and operational excellence under ISO 13485
• Providing calm, credible and relational leadership to a highly skilled technical team

This is not a hands-off CEO role. CLC is a focused, specialist business and the successful candidate will be comfortable combining strategic leadership with functional involvement across commercial, operational and customer-facing activity.
 
About the person
 
Given the technical and regulatory nature of the business, closely related industry experience is seen as essential.
 
CLC seek a leader who brings: 

• Direct experience in the contact lens, optical or ophthalmic sector
• Alternatively, senior leadership experience in medical devices, with strong exposure to regulated manufacturing, sales and marketing
• Proven P&L accountability and experience leading small to mid-sized businesses
• Working knowledge of ISO 13485 or comparable medical device quality systems
• Strong commercial capability across sales, pricing, margin and customer management
• Experience working with boards, trustees or private ownership structures

The successful candidate will be calm, pragmatic and relational in style, commercially astute and comfortable making clear decisions. They will enjoy building something durable and credible, rather than simply maintaining the status quo.
 
Location
This role is Christchurch-based. While Australian market development will be a key focus, the Board is clear that the Managing Director must be present and visible within the business.
 
Next steps
This search is being conducted exclusively by Bishop Associates Recruitment.
 
For a confidential discussion, please contact Heather Ewing on 03 2650 667 or Rob Bishop on 03 2650 666 or click the 'Apply Now' button to express your interest in this pivotal role.