Job Title: Site General Manager – Aerospace Precision Metal Machining
Location: Greater Phoenix Area
Reports to: CEO
Employment Type: Full-time, Exempt
Position Summary
The Site General Manager provides full-site leadership and accountability for a precision metal machining operation serving aerospace and defense customers. This executive owns the site's P&L, drives operational excellence in safety, quality, delivery, cost, and inventory, and ensures compliance with stringent industry standards. The role focuses on maximizing throughput and profitability in a high-mix/low-volume machining environment while leading continuous improvement, talent development, and customer satisfaction. The GM is the primary on-site executive responsible for delivering predictable, world-class performance in a regulated, build-to-print environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Full P&L Ownership & Financial Performance Own site-level revenue, gross margin, operating income, and cash flow targets. Develop and execute annual operating plans, budgets, and forecasts. Identify and capture cost-reduction opportunities (labor efficiency, cycle time, material utilization, overhead reduction) while protecting quality and delivery.
- Operational Leadership & Execution Lead all manufacturing operations including CNC milling/turning (3-5 axis), large-part machining, fixture/tooling strategy, deburring, and secondary processes. Drive SQCDI (Safety, Quality, Cost, Delivery, Inventory) metrics through disciplined daily/weekly management systems (stand-ups, tiered meetings, visual factory). Ensure on-time delivery of complex machined components to OEMs and Tier-1 customers.
- Quality & Regulatory Compliance Champion a zero-defect culture and maintain AS9100D, NADCAP (chemical processing, non-destructive testing, heat treat), ITAR, and customer-specific approvals. Lead audit readiness, root cause corrective action (RCCA), and prevention of escapes. Own customer quality escapes, escapes per unit, and first pass yield performance.
- Safety, Health & Environmental Leadership Foster a world-class safety culture with zero lost-time incidents as the target. Ensure full compliance with OSHA, EPA, and state regulations. Lead incident investigations and drive proactive risk reduction in a heavy machining environment.
- Continuous Improvement & Process Optimization Lead Lean/Six Sigma initiatives focused on cycle time reduction, setup reduction, and material flow. Partner with process engineering to sustain mature programs and eliminate waste.
- Customer & Supplier Interface Serve as the primary site executive for major customers (Boeing, Lockheed, Raytheon, Honeywell, etc.). Build and maintain strong relationships, address escalations, and support pricing/escalation discussions. Oversee supplier performance and outside processing to mitigate risks and cost increases.
- People & Organizational Leadership Lead, develop, and retain a high-performance leadership team and workforce (direct + indirect labor). Drive talent pipeline, succession planning, and skill development. Maintain appropriate direct-to-indirect labor ratios for an elite aerospace machining operation.
- Strategic Execution Execute corporate strategy at the site level, including capacity planning, capital investment justification (machines, automation, metrology), and preparation for growth or potential strategic transactions. Support new program integration while protecting existing mature product lines.
Qualifications & Experience
Required:
- 10+ years of progressive leadership in aerospace/defense manufacturing, with at least 5 years in a senior site/plant leadership role (GM, Plant Manager, Site Leader).
- Deep experience in precision CNC metal machining (aluminum, titanium, stainless, nickel alloys).
- Proven track record owning a manufacturing P&L with >$40M revenue responsibility.
- Strong knowledge of AS9100D, NADCAP, ITAR, and aerospace quality systems.
- Demonstrated success driving operational KPIs: on-time delivery >95%, first-pass yield improvement, cost productivity year-over-year.
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, or related technical field (Master’s or MBA preferred).
Preferred:
- Experience in a build-to-print, high-mix/low-to-medium volume environment.
- Multiple roles in plant support functions (engineering, production control, planning, supervision)
- Lean/Six Sigma Black Belt or equivalent; proven history of implementing continuous improvement.
- Familiarity with ERP systems and Power BI/reporting tools.
- Background working with major OEMs (Boeing, Airbus, Northrop, Honeywell, etc.) and government primes.
Key Competencies
- Decisive executive presence with strong business acumen
- Results and data-oriented with a strong bias for action and accountability
- Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills (customers, employees, corporate)
- Change leadership and ability to drive transformation in a regulated environment
- Analytical mindset with comfort using data to drive decisions
Compensation & Benefits
Competitive base salary commensurate with experience, performance bonus, long-term incentive eligibility, and full benefits package.
This role is ideal for a hands-on yet strategic leader who thrives in a fast-paced, customer-focused aerospace machining environment and is passionate about building high-performance teams that deliver mission-critical components.
