General Manager – Custom Machine Shop / Fabrication Shop

Kimbrell Manufacturing Corporation

Garland, TX

Job Title: General Manager – Custom Machine Shop / Fabrication Shop

Location: Garland, TX

Reports To: President / Owner

Employment Type: Full-Time, Exempt

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced, entrepreneurial minded General Manager to lead the day-to-day operations of a custom machine shop and fabrication business serving regional industrial customers. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a high-mix, low-volume, fast-response environment and can balance urgency, customer responsiveness, operational discipline, team leadership, and process improvement.

The General Manager will oversee daily shop and office operations, quoting, scheduling, customer and vendor coordination, team leadership, safety compliance, financial management, and ongoing systems/process improvement while partnering closely with the President/Owner to continue the modernization and growth of the business.

This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who wants to be a part of shaping the next chapter of a long-standing, respected manufacturing business, that has had consistent growth and an ownership vision to continue investing in the business with organic and M&A channels.

About the Business

Founded in 2006, for 20 years we have provided highest quality CNC machining, manual machining, welding, and fabrication services to a variety of regional customers. The business is built around being highly responsive, quality-driven, and capable in a high-mix, low-volume environment. Reliable emergency response repair, manufacturing, and rush work have historically been an important part of what differentiates us in the market.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

Lead daily machine shop and fabrication operations
Responsible for production planning, scheduling, and job prioritization
Maintain workflow efficiency, capacity utilization, and on-time delivery
Coordinate communication between the office and the shop floor

Customer & Vendor Management

Serve as the primary point of contact for key customers, manage customer communication, delivery expectations, project oversight, and issue resolution
Oversee quoting discipline, tracking, turnaround, and job fit
Support vendor coordination, material procurement, tooling readiness, and subcontractor management
Ensure urgent and rush work is handled effectively without losing control of the broader schedule

Team Leadership

Lead, coach, and develop shop leaders, office leaders and team members
Foster accountability, safety, urgency, and collaborative shop culture
Recruit, hire, coach, and retain a skilled team over time
Continue to strengthen leadership structure and communication rhythm across the business

Financial & Business Management

Develop and manage budgets, job profitability, quoting accuracy, and cost control
Track and improve KPIs such as revenue metrics, gross margin, on-time delivery, DSO, backlog, and material costs
Communicate proactively with ownership on business performance and operational health
Identify opportunities for profitable growth and operational improvement

Systems & Continuous Improvement

Assist in the modernize of processes, systems, and operating rhythm over time
Improve documentation, handoffs, and visibility across quoting, scheduling, production, and invoicing
Lead process discipline and practical continuous improvement efforts
Support future improvements in ERP, digital workflow, automation, and reporting as the business grows

Safety, Quality, & Compliance

Ensure adherence to OSHA requirements and company safety policies
Maintain and improve quality control processes
Continue to document and maintain specific quality control processes
Manage calibration processes for both measuring equipment and machinery

Qualifications

7 - 10+ years of leadership experience in a machine shop, fabrication shop, or similar manufacturing environment
Strong understanding of CNC machining, manual machining, welding, fabrication, and mechanical manufacturing processes
Proven experience in a high-mix, low-volume job shop environment
Significant exposure to urgent, rush, emergency work and the scheduling challenges that come with it
Experience with quoting, job costing, workflow management, customer communication, and operational leadership
Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills
Ability to operate with urgency, independence, and sound judgment
Comfort working with both engineers and maintenance personnel
Continuous improvement mindset: lean/process improvement exposure preferred
Entrepreneurial mindset and ownership mentality strongly preferred

What We’re Looking For

We are looking for someone who:

In depth experience with mechanical repairs with machine shop/fabrication process
Ability to analysis and finish work without prints provided
History with machining prototypes and replacements, from samples/ideas, not CAD drawings
Does not need constant direction, but takes initiative
Can move between the shop floor and customer-facing conversations comfortably
Leads with accountability, integrity, and clear communication
Can help bring structure without turning the business into bureaucracy
Enjoys solving problems and collaborating with a team
Wants to be a part of building something, not just manage a seat

Key Competencies:

Operational excellence and urgency
Strategic planning and business development
Decisive leadership and accountability
Data-drive problem solving
Customer-focused mindset
Safety-first approach

Physical & Work Environment Requirements

Ability to work in both office and shop-floor environments
Routine exposure to machining/welding noise, heat, and manufacturing equipment
Ability to lift up to 40 lbs. occasionally and stand/walk on shop floor as needed
Ability to operate a forklift, drive work truck, and pull gooseneck trailer

Compensation & Benefits