General Manager

Sterling Engineering; Albuquerque, Santa Fe (NM, NM); On-site; USD 200,000 - 245,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a hands-on General Manager to lead operations in a fast-growing manufacturing firm. This role is pivotal in driving continuous improvement across production and quality functions, specializing in state-of-the-art stainless steel equipment for high-demand sectors like food processing and pharmaceuticals. The ideal candidate will possess deep operational experience in metal fabrication and a passion for building high-performing teams. Join this dynamic environment where your leadership will shape the future of precision craftsmanship and operational excellence.

Qualifications

• 10-15 years of leadership experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Hands-on experience in metal cutting/fabrication is essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead operations, production, quality, and safety across the organization.
• Drive process improvements and foster accountability at all levels.

Skills

Leadership

Operational Excellence

Lean Manufacturing

Process Improvement

Team Management

Quality Assurance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management

Bachelor’s degree in Business

Job description

This range is provided by Sterling Engineering. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

$200,000.00/yr - $245,000.00/yr

Senior Recruiter at Sterling Engineering

Our client, a fast-growing, close-knit manufacturer located just north of Albuquerque, NM, is seeking a hands-on General Manager to lead operations and drive continuous improvement across production and quality functions. Specializing in state-of-the-art stainless steel equipment for high-demand industries including food processing and pharmaceuticals, this team is known for precision craftsmanship and a strong reputation for customer satisfaction. With significant growth on the horizon, they are looking for a driven leader with deep operational experience in metal fabrication and a passion for building high-performing teams. The salary range for this is anywhere from 200-240k, company will assist with relocation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic and day-to-day leadership across all operations, including production, quality, scheduling, and safety.
• Partner closely with ownership to align growth initiatives, improve efficiencies, and support long-term planning.
• Lead and participate in hands-on process improvement projects, with a focus on lean manufacturing and quality assurance.
• Drive operational excellence through KPI tracking, problem-solving, and fostering accountability at all levels.
• Mentor and lead production and department managers to achieve team goals and support professional development.
• Ensure compliance with industry-specific quality standards, particularly in food and pharmaceutical equipment manufacturing.
• Collaborate with engineering, sales, and supply chain to ensure seamless delivery of custom equipment solutions.
• Maintain a positive and collaborative culture grounded in transparency, ownership, and pride in craftsmanship.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business, or related field.
• 10–15 years of leadership experience in a manufacturing environment, preferably as a General Manager, VP of Operations, or Director of Manufacturing.
• Hands-on experience in a metal cutting/fabrication environment is a must.
• Strong track record of overseeing and optimizing production operations, including team management and quality systems.
• Experience in food and/or pharmaceutical equipment manufacturing is strongly preferred.
• Proven ability to lead process improvements, implement lean practices, and build cross-functional teams.

Seniority level

Executive

Employment type

Full-time

Job function

Engineering, Manufacturing, and Production

Industries

Manufacturing, Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing, and Fabricated Metal Products