Are you a manufacturing leader looking to run a business, not just manage a plant? If you enjoy building accountability, structure, and results in a hands-on environment, this role offers a meaningful leadership challenge and career opportunity!
We are seeking a hands‑on, highly visible General Manager to lead our client's component remanufacturing and service facility in Columbia, South Carolina. This role is best suited for a proven site leader who thrives in a high‑mix manufacturing environment, values strong shop‑floor presence, and is comfortable driving accountability, safety, operational discipline, and cultural change.
The General Manager will have full P&L ownership and complete responsibility for plant performance across safety, quality, delivery, cost, inventory, and engagement. This is not a desk‑based leadership role. The successful candidate will be expected to be actively involved on the floor, work through complexity, and bring structure and clarity to a growing operation.
About the Operation
- Component remanufacturing and service environment
- Product mix includes pneumatic, hydraulic, and mechanical components
- High product variety (100+ part types)
- Moderate‑sized site (~65+ hourly employees, growing)
- Lean maturity developing and actively improving
- Shop‑floor‑intensive, industrial environment (not distribution or warehousing)
Key Responsibilities
Site Leadership & Performance
- Own full site P&L and operational results
- Set clear expectations, reinforce accountability, and drive execution
- Lead exempt and hourly teams through change and growth
Safety & Compliance
- Personally lead EHS performance and compliance
- Maintain regular shop‑floor presence
- Proactively address near misses, hazards, and unsafe conditions
- Ensure compliance with regulatory, company, and customer requirements
Operational Excellence
- Drive lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives
- Improve on‑time delivery, quality, reliability, and productivity
- Lead kaizens, 5S initiatives, and standard work development
Financial & Data‑Driven Management
- Manage cost, inventory, margin, and operational variance
- Ensure accurate work‑order execution and inventory control
- Use metrics, KPIs, and reporting to drive decisions and accountability
- Strong comfort with Excel, data analysis, and performance tracking
Leadership & Culture
- Coach and develop site leadership
- Lead through influence in a cross‑functional environment
- Address underperformance directly and constructively
- Build a culture of ownership, transparency, and continuous improvement
What We’re Looking For
Required
- Bachelor’s degree
- 5+ years in a Plant Manager, General Manager, or equivalent site‑level role
- Manufacturing or remanufacturing experience (distribution/warehouse‑only backgrounds are not a fit)
- Proven ownership of safety, delivery, cost, and people leadership
Strongly Preferred
- Experience in high‑mix, service, or remanufacturing operations
- Demonstrated lean manufacturing leadership
- Strong financial acumen at the plant level
- High comfort using data, metrics, KPIs, and Excel
- Confident, decisive leadership style with the ability to manage strong personalities
Leadership Style That Succeeds Here
- Visible and engaged on the shop floor
- Direct, confident, and fair
- Comfortable leading through complexity
- Willing to hold leaders accountable
- Data‑driven but people‑focused
A timid, hands‑off, or purely office‑based leadership style will not be successful.
Compensation & Benefits
- Competitive base salary
- Yearly bonus
- Comprehensive health and retirement benefits
- Relocation assistance available for the right candidate
