Vice President / General Manager

Fairbanks Morse Defense; Walpole (MA); On-site; USD 190,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Life and disability insurance

401k with employer match

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Paid parental leave

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Fairbanks Morse Defense in Walpole, MA seeks a Vice President & General Manager to lead the Bird-Johnson Propeller Company, overseeing daily operations, driving growth, and ensuring safety, quality, and profitability. The role includes strategic direction for the Pascagoula site and field service teams, with emphasis on continuous improvement and best practices.

You will provide leadership to directors and managers, aligning production with customer demand, managing budgets, and sustaining a

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• Senior leadership experience in manufacturing operations (10–15 years) with 5+ years in VP/GM roles.
• Strong financial acumen and management of budgets, forecasts, and P&L.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategic initiatives aligned with corporate objectives.
• Lead safety, quality, and regulatory compliance across plants and teams.
• Oversee day-to-day operations of manufacturing plants to meet targets.
• Provide leadership to 250 employees and drive continuous improvement.
• Support sales with production planning, pricing, and proposals where needed.
• Manage budgets, cost control, and resource allocation via robust planning.

Skills

Manufacturing processes

Supply chain management

Lean manufacturing

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, or related field

Job description

Mission-Driven. Honor-Bound. Fairbanks Morse Defense. What's your calling? For the men and women of Fairbanks Morse Defense it's the rapid and effective support of the fleets that entrust us to design, develop, and deliver the best naval power technology on the planet. We’re one of the nation's leading marine defense contractors because of the highly trained and dedicated teams that provide reliable power systems, parts, and aftermarket services to the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, Military Sealift Command, and Canadian Coast Guard. When you join Fairbanks Morse Defense, you join a legacy of commitment that spans 150 years. Fairbanks Morse Defense offers competitive benefits with a wide range of training and development opportunities. Our world-class teams are dedicated to helping every individual achieve their full potential. Discover what it’s like to be a part of the Fairbanks Morse Defense team here: https://www.fairbanksmorsedefense.com/careers

Job Description

Job Title: Vice President & General Manager, Bird-Johnson Propeller Company

Date: 7/30/2026

Reports To: Group President

Job Overview: The Vice President / General Manager is a senior leadership role responsible for overseeing and managing the daily operations of the Bird-Johnson Propeller Company, powered by Fairbanks Morse Defense. The role is located in Walpole, MA with accountability for the Pascagoula, MS site and regionally located field service teams as well. This position will ensure the facility operates efficiently, safely, and profitably, while maintaining the highest standards of quality and compliance. The VP/GM will provide strategic direction, leadership, and vision to the operations and workforce, driving a growth mindset, continuous improvement initiatives and implementing best practices across the organization.

Principle Duties and Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Planning:
• Develop and execute the business's strategic initiatives, aligning them with overall corporate objectives.
• Analyze production data and plant performance, providing recommendations for process optimization and efficiency improvements.
• Evaluate market trends, technology innovations, and competitor activities to keep the plant competitive and innovative.
• Drive installed base and aftermarket growth while maintaining Bird-Johnson's US Navy market leading propulsion systems position
• Develop and pursue rest of world opportunities and strategy
• Full P&L ownership for both original equipment and aftermarket
• Develop, monitor, and manage the business's budget, including cost control, forecasting, and resource allocation through a robust EAC process.
• Ensure plant profitability by managing costs, improving productivity, and reducing waste.
• Implement financial and operational performance reporting systems.

3. Customer and Stakeholder Relations:

• Maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including senior management, customers, suppliers, and external partners.
• Work closely with the Sales and Marketing teams to align production schedules with customer demands, as well as support to new sales opportunities.
• Support Sales team in proposal and pricing preparations for new opportunities, in addition to follow on proposals.
• Resolve customer issues related to product quality, delivery timelines, or other concerns in a timely and effective manner.
• Leadership and Staff Development:
• Provide leadership and direction to directors, managers, and employees, ensuring clear goals, accountability, and performance metrics across our team of 250 employees
• Foster a high-performance culture by promoting employee engagement, teamwork, and development opportunities.
• Oversee the hiring, training, and professional growth of Bird-Johnson personnel to ensure the team is skilled, motivated, and aligned with company goals.
• Functional Leadership:
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental regulations, fostering a culture of safety.
• Lead across all departments, including production, engineering, quality, maintenance, supply chain, human resources, and logistics.
• Oversee day-to-day operations of the manufacturing plants, ensuring alignment with business goals and objectives.
• Drive continuous improvement mindset to meet or exceed production targets, quality standards, and cost controls.
• Identify and mitigate potential risks related to production, safety, environmental impact, and business operations.
• Establish and maintain effective crisis management protocols to address any unforeseen disruptions.
• Regulatory Compliance:
• Ensure the manufacturing plant complies with all relevant local, state, and federal regulations.
• Maintain certifications and quality standards (ISO, Six Sigma, etc.) in line with industry requirements.

Qualifications and Educational Requirements

• Education: Bachelor's degree in engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, or related field. MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• Experience: Minimum of 10-15 years in manufacturing operations management, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role (VP/GM, Director).
• Skills & Knowledge:
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, supply chain management, and lean manufacturing principles.
• Proven experience in leading large-scale operations with a focus on efficiency and quality.
• Strong financial acumen, including experience managing budgets, forecasts, and P&L statements.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to manage and inspire a diverse workforce.
• Proficient in data analysis and utilizing technology to drive operational improvements.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to visit all areas of the manufacturing plant and perform walking, standing, or other activities as necessary.

Additional Information:

• Must have the ability to work in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.
• [US Citizenship Requirement NOFORN access needed] This position requires access or potential access to Unclassified Naval Nuclear Propulsion Information, which is Not Releasable to Foreign Nationals (NOFORN) data. Therefore, to meet NOFORN requirement, you will have to provide proof of US Citizenship and attest that you do not have dual citizenship. Acceptable proof of US Citizenship is a US Passport, US Birth Certificate or Naturalization Certificate.

This specification is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions that will be given this title and shall not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. Ability to competently perform all the essential duties of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, demonstrated commitment to effective customer service delivery, and the ability to work productively as a member of a team or work group are basic requirements of all positions at Fairbanks Morse Defense.

Fairbanks Morse Defense offers a competitive benefits package including but not limited to, medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurances, and 401k retirement plan with employer match. In addition, we offer paid time off, paid holidays, paid parental leave, and tuition reimbursement.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled