General Manager

Otto Systems; Santa Fe Springs (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 155,000; Full time

Job summary

Otto Systems in Santa Fe Springs seeks a General Manager to oversee daily operations, ensuring customer satisfaction while managing a small team of 3–4 staff. The ideal candidate will have 5–10 years of experience in operational management within the industrial equipment sector and hands-on expertise in material handling.

This full-time, onsite role offers a competitive salary range of $140k to $155k, and the GM will be responsible for budgeting, sales management, and strategic growth initiatives.

Qualifications

• 5–10 years of experience managing operations in a small business or similar environment.
• Able to communicate clearly and effectively with customers and team members.
• Must be hands-on and willing to do the work yourself.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations to ensure smooth service.
• Lead and support a small team, setting clear expectations.
• Manage the budget and track revenue while reporting to the CEO.
• Serve as the primary contact for key accounts to maintain customer satisfaction.
• Identify new customers and support sales efforts to grow the business.
• Analyze inefficiencies and implement smarter operational strategies.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem-solving

Financial Management

Operational Management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Operations, Engineering, or related field

Job description

Otto Systems is a small, hands-on business specializing in material handling and crane systems. We are looking for a General Manager who can run the day-to-day operations, keep customers happy, and help the business grow. This is not a corporate role — you will work directly with a small team, wear multiple hats, and make practical decisions every day. The right person is a self-starter who takes initiative and works independently to get things done, while collaborating closely with executive leadership.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Run daily operations - oversee sales, service, warehouse, and customer support to keep things moving smoothly.
• Manage the team - lead, support, and hold accountable a small staff of 3–4 people. Set clear expectations and help them succeed.
• Own the numbers - manage the budget, control costs, track revenue, and report performance directly to the CEO.
• Keep customers happy - serve as the primary point of contact for key accounts, resolve issues quickly, and ensure orders and service are delivered on time.
• Grow the business - identify new customers, support sales efforts, and look for practical ways to expand Otto Systems' market presence.
• Improve how we work - spot inefficiencies and fix them; find smarter, faster, and more cost-effective ways to operate.
• Stay compliant - ensure the business follows safety regulations, company policies, and applicable industry standards.
• Know the product - develop a solid working knowledge of material handling equipment, cranes, hoists, and related industrial products.

Compensation and Benefits

Job Type: Full-Time Employment

Pay: Base Salary $140k-$155k

This role is considered exempt and an “ONSITE” role only.

JOB REQUIREMENTS AND MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Operations, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent hands-on experience.
• 5–10 years of experience managing operations in a small business, industrial equipment, material handling, distribution, or similar environment.
• Comfortable doing the work yourself - this is a small team, and the GM needs to be hands-on, not just supervisory.
• Strong communicator. able to speak clearly and write effectively with customers, staff, and leadership.
• Solid financial sense, you don’t need to be an accountant, but you need to understand a budget and P&L.
• Problem-solver, calm under pressure, practical, and able to make good decisions with limited information.
• Must be local and on-site in Santa Fe Springs, CA. This is not a remote role. Must live within 60 miles of our office.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORKING CONDITIONS

While performing the duties of this job, employees are regularly required to sit, walk and stand; talk or hear, both in person and by telephone; use hands repetitively to finger, handle, feel or operate standard office equipment; reach with hands and arms; and lift up to 25 pounds.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

The work environment characteristics described here represent those employee encounters while performing this job's essential functions. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Employees work under typical office or warehouse conditions, and the noise level is usually quiet to moderate. However, in certain assignments, an employee may work near moving equipment and be exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals, biological hazards, airborne fumes, outdoor weather conditions, and loud, prolonged noise.