General Manager

A confidential, growing manufacturer is seeking an experienced General Manager to lead a large-scale sheet metal fabrication operation. This executive leadership role is responsible for driving operational excellence, business growth, and continuous improvement while leading Engineering, Production, Quality, Maintenance, Supply Chain, and Purchasing.

The ideal candidate is a strategic manufacturing leader with extensive experience in sheet metal fabrication, manufacturing engineering, CNC machining, metal forming, welding, and paint line operations. This position carries full P&L responsibility and requires a hands-on leader who can improve performance, develop leaders, and scale operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead all manufacturing operations with full P&L accountability.
• Direct Production, Engineering, Quality, Maintenance, Supply Chain, and Purchasing.
• Drive Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, safety, quality, and operational excellence.
• Improve KPIs including throughput, OEE, OTIF delivery, scrap reduction, productivity, and profitability.
• Partner with Engineering on product launches, automation, and process improvements.
• Develop leadership teams through coaching, accountability, and succession planning.
• Manage budgeting, forecasting, capital projects, and strategic planning.
• Lead organizational growth while maintaining a strong safety and quality culture.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or equivalent executive manufacturing experience.
• 10–20+ years of manufacturing leadership.
• 5–10+ years leading managers across multiple departments.
• Current or recent experience as a General Manager, Plant Manager, Director of Operations, Site Leader, Business Unit Leader, or similar.
• Experience leading manufacturing operations with 100+ employees.
• Strong financial, ERP/MRP, budgeting, cost control, and change management experience.

Non-Negotiable Experience

Candidates must have leadership experience in:

• Sheet metal fabrication
• Manufacturing engineering
• CNC machining
• CNC laser cutting
• CNC punch press
• CNC press brake
• Metal forming
• Welding and fabrication
• Paint line or powder coating
• Production scheduling
• Lean Manufacturing / Continuous Improvement

Preferred Industry Background

• Agricultural equipment
• Heavy industrial manufacturing
• OEM manufacturing
• Industrial machinery
• Material handling and conveyor systems
• Structural steel or custom metal fabrication

Keywords

General Manager • Plant Manager • Director of Operations • Manufacturing Executive • Sheet Metal • Fabrication • Manufacturing Engineering • Mechanical Engineering • CNC • Laser Cutting • Press Brake • Metal Forming • Welding • Paint Line • Powder Coating • Lean Manufacturing • Six Sigma • Continuous Improvement • Operational Excellence • P&L • ERP • MRP • Supply Chain • Quality • Production • OEE • OTIF • Capital Projects • Leadership Development

Why Join?

• $180,000–$210,000 base salary plus bonus
• Executive leadership opportunity
• Growing, stable manufacturing company
• Significant impact on future growth and operational strategy
• Excellent benefits package

Interested?

For confidential consideration, contact:

Alana Seddon
Executive Search Consultant | Manufacturing
gpac – Growing People and Companies

Email:

alana.seddon@gogpac.com

All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, age, color, sex (including pregnancy), religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, military status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable laws or regulations.

GPAC (Growing People and Companies) is an award-winning search firm specializing in placing quality professionals within multiple industries across the United States since 1990. We are extremely competitive, client-focused and realize that our value is in our ability to deliver the right solutions at the right time.