General Manager (Aerospace Machining)

Talent Finders, LLC; Fullerton (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent benefits

25% bonus target

Job summary

A fast-growing manufacturing company seeks a General Manager for its Southern CA operations. This role involves P&L responsibility, overseeing daily plant operations, and ensuring high performance and safety standards in a fast-paced environment. The ideal candidate will have over 10 years of experience in manufacturing, particularly in the aerospace sector, and possess strong leadership and communication skills. Excellent benefits and a substantial bonus target make this position highly rewarding.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in a manufacturing environment, preferably in aerospace or defense.
• Prior experience leading a plant or managing a full P&L site.
• Strong understanding of quality systems and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Leads daily operations of the manufacturing plant including production and supply chain.
• Delivers on financial targets including sales, revenues, and EBITDA.
• Implements cost-effective systems of control for operating expenditures.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma

Operational Excellence

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

Job description

Fast Growing P.E. owned Mil/Aero Machining Operation with 9 sites across the U.S. seeks a proven General Manager for their Southern CA business unit (2 factories, 20 miles apart). The Southern CA business unit is a 40 mil/year site with an emerging backlog of work due to consistent customer satisfaction and increased demand. This role will have P & L responsibility for the business unit and will oversee the operational execution for the two Southern CA factories. Experience with large Gantry style machining preferred. Mil/Aero industry background a must. Excellent benefits along with a 25% bonus target on top of the base salary.

The General Manager is responsible for the overall performance of the business unit – driving operational excellence, ensuring high product quality, maintaining a culture of safety and accountability, and delivering strong financial results. The role requires a strong, visible leader who can engage at all levels of the organization, from the production floor to the executive team. The ideal candidate is a proven op's leader with deep manufacturing experience, a passion for continuous improvement, and the ability to foster a culture of collaboration and high performance.

Responsibilities

• Leads and manages all daily operations of the manufacturing plant, including production, supply chain, quality, EH&S, and facilities, working with departmental managers to ensure business unit goals are accomplished in a timely and cost-effective manner.
• Delivers on financial targets includes sales, revenues, EBITDA, and cash flow.
• Develops, monitors, and reports on operating costs within functional areas. Alerts management of cost and labor over run. Makes recommendations and implements solutions to problems related to same.
• Ensures standards for overall plant performance, ensuring product quality, equipment, and operator performance are maintained at a high standard and that cost-effective technology is used to maximize production.
• Compiles and analyzes daily/weekly/monthly reporting.
• Oversees site-level capital expenditures, preserving fixed assets and recommending purchases of new equipment and technology.
• Implements cost effective systems of control over operating expenditures, manpower, wages, and salaries.
• Controls and minimizes labor overtime, premium freight and repair expenses and/or equipment when necessary. Implements and maintains preventative maintenance programs.
• Champions a safe work environment, enforcing adherence to safety standards and OSHA/industry standards.
• Takes a hands‑on approach with the ability to pre‑emptively identify potential production/quality issues on the plant floor.
• Leads, mentors, and develops site leadership and frontline teams, building bench strength and developing successors. Advises site managers on issues related to safety, security, employee relations, scheduling, and training/development while ensuring adherence to company policy as well as fair and equitable practices.
• Promotes a team‑oriented, high‑integrity culture aligned with the company’s mission and values.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in a manufacturing environment, preferably within the aerospace, defense and/or precision machining industries.
• Prior experience leading a plant or full P&L site highly preferred
• Demonstrated success in achieving financial and operational targets
• Strong understanding of quality systems (e.g. AS9100, ISO9001) and regulatory requirements in aerospace and defense
• Hands‑on leader who engages directly on the floor and is comfortable in a fast‑paced, technical environment
• Proven experience driving lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or other process improvement methodologies. Certification (e.g. Lean, Six Sigma Green/Black Belt) are a plus.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills. Able to inspire, influence, and hold others accountable
• Experience with large scale gantry style machining/aerostructures background strongly preferred