General Manager

General Manager

About the Company

Our client is an established commercial heat treating company operating a network of plants across the U.S. They serve a broad range of manufacturing customers and are known for quality, reliability, and technical expertise in thermal processing. They’re seeking a General Manager to lead one of their plants and drive both operational and financial performance.

The Role

The General Manager has full ownership of the plant, including P&L responsibility, production, equipment, quality, safety, and people across all shifts. This leader runs the business day to day, partners with business development on growth, and builds a strong, quality-focused team.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee all plant-level financial operations, including P&L performance, annual budget targets, pretax profitability, equipment efficiency, and organic revenue growth.

• Monitor and manage working capital to ensure alignment with established financial plans and plant budgets.

• Direct daily manufacturing activities across all shifts, including workforce training, production planning, scheduling, and equipment management.

• Collaborate with the Business Development Manager to support sales growth, customer quotations, pricing strategies, and market expansion initiatives.

• Evaluate market trends and competitor activity to strengthen the plant’s competitive position and identify new business opportunities.

• Ensure the facility maintains all required safety certifications and at least one recognized quality accreditation.

• Promote a strong culture of workplace safety, employee health, and environmental compliance while maintaining a clean, organized, and efficient facility.

• Recruit, train, mentor, and retain a skilled workforce committed to quality, productivity, and continuous improvement.

• Identify and develop future leadership talent while actively supporting succession planning and leadership continuity.

• Partner with other plant locations and corporate teams to exchange best practices, improve processes, and support overall business objectives.

• Represent the company professionally in interactions with customers, employees, suppliers, and the local community.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred in Business, Engineering, Finance, Metallurgy, or a related discipline; equivalent relevant experience in plant operations, management, quality, safety, or environmental functions will also be considered.

• Strong understanding of heat-treatment processes or substantial experience in a manufacturing environment.

• At least 5 years of business management experience, including a minimum of 2 years in a supervisory or leadership capacity.

• Practical knowledge of metals, industrial furnaces, manufacturing equipment, and their operational capabilities.

• Demonstrated experience managing plant-level P&L responsibilities and understanding key financial drivers within a manufacturing business.

• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and negotiation skills, with the ability to work effectively with employees, customers, vendors, and senior leadership.

• Strong analytical thinking, sound decision-making, and effective project management capabilities.

• Proven ability to lead, motivate, and develop teams while managing competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.

• Proficiency with computers and standard business applications.