Eleven Recruiting
Eleven Recruiting is conducting a confidential search on behalf of a well-established aerospace manufacturer for a General Manager to lead its flagship operation based in Long Beach, CA. This site is the company's largest and most operationally complex facility, generating $200M+ in annual revenue. The company specializes in manufacturing and assembly of complex, mission-critical aerospace components and systems, with capabilities in machining and processing.
The General Manager will serve as the senior-most executive at the site, with full accountability for operational performance, financial results, and strategic execution. This role requires a hands-on, metrics-driven leader with a track record of success in aerospace or defense manufacturing environments, particularly those involving precision machining, fabrication, complex assembly, and special process oversight.
This individual will be responsible for leading cross-functional teams, driving Lean and continuous improvement initiatives, and aligning the operation with broader corporate objectives. The ideal candidate will also play a central role in automation projects, capacity expansions, and future integration efforts tied to company growth initiatives.
Responsibilities:
Strategic & Financial Leadership
Own full P&L responsibility for the Long Beach site, overseeing all aspects of budgeting, forecasting, margin management, and capital expenditures. Partner with executive leadership and finance teams to ensure the site meets or exceeds EBITDA, labor absorption, and contribution margin goals. Lead site-level financial planning and analysis, providing actionable insights into cost drivers, operational efficiency, and overhead optimization. Prepare and present monthly and quarterly financial reviews tied to labor productivity, COGS, and inventory turns. Operational Excellence
Lead all operational functions including production, engineering, quality, planning, supply chain, facilities, and maintenance. Implement Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and 5S methodologies to increase throughput, reduce waste, and enhance machine and labor utilization. Champion real-time KPI dashboards that monitor OTD, productivity, yield, and scrap. Ensure compliance with AS9100, ISO 9001, and NADCAP requirements across machining, welding, chemical processing, and other certified processes. Oversee automation and process innovation projects to drive long-term scalability and cost reduction. Customer & Program Performance
Serve as the primary escalation point for strategic customer programs, ensuring contract compliance, delivery performance, and customer satisfaction. Lead new product introduction readiness and support high-mix, low-volume production environments across multiple aerospace platforms. Interface directly with OEM and Tier 1 customers on quality, engineering, and operational readiness for audits and site visits. Leadership & Talent Development
Manage and mentor a senior leadership team of 10+ department heads with a total site headcount of 400+. Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and transparent communication. Conduct daily shop-floor engagement (GEMBA), performance reviews, and employee development initiatives to drive operational discipline. Build succession plans and develop internal talent to ensure organizational continuity. Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, or a related field required; MBA or advanced technical degree preferred. 10-15+ years of senior-level leadership experience in aerospace or defense manufacturing. Proven track record of managing $150M+ revenue operations with full P&L ownership. In-depth knowledge of precision machining, complex assembly, sheet metal fabrication, welding, and special processes. Expertise with ERP systems such as Epicor, SAP, or Oracle, and data platforms such as Power BI or Tableau. Strong background in Lean, Six Sigma, job costing, labor planning, and ISO/AS9100 quality systems. High emotional intelligence with a strong ability to lead through influence, engage teams, and communicate effectively across all organizational levels.
The General Manager will serve as the senior-most executive at the site, with full accountability for operational performance, financial results, and strategic execution. This role requires a hands-on, metrics-driven leader with a track record of success in aerospace or defense manufacturing environments, particularly those involving precision machining, fabrication, complex assembly, and special process oversight.
This individual will be responsible for leading cross-functional teams, driving Lean and continuous improvement initiatives, and aligning the operation with broader corporate objectives. The ideal candidate will also play a central role in automation projects, capacity expansions, and future integration efforts tied to company growth initiatives.
Responsibilities:
Strategic & Financial Leadership
Own full P&L responsibility for the Long Beach site, overseeing all aspects of budgeting, forecasting, margin management, and capital expenditures. Partner with executive leadership and finance teams to ensure the site meets or exceeds EBITDA, labor absorption, and contribution margin goals. Lead site-level financial planning and analysis, providing actionable insights into cost drivers, operational efficiency, and overhead optimization. Prepare and present monthly and quarterly financial reviews tied to labor productivity, COGS, and inventory turns. Operational Excellence
Lead all operational functions including production, engineering, quality, planning, supply chain, facilities, and maintenance. Implement Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and 5S methodologies to increase throughput, reduce waste, and enhance machine and labor utilization. Champion real-time KPI dashboards that monitor OTD, productivity, yield, and scrap. Ensure compliance with AS9100, ISO 9001, and NADCAP requirements across machining, welding, chemical processing, and other certified processes. Oversee automation and process innovation projects to drive long-term scalability and cost reduction. Customer & Program Performance
Serve as the primary escalation point for strategic customer programs, ensuring contract compliance, delivery performance, and customer satisfaction. Lead new product introduction readiness and support high-mix, low-volume production environments across multiple aerospace platforms. Interface directly with OEM and Tier 1 customers on quality, engineering, and operational readiness for audits and site visits. Leadership & Talent Development
Manage and mentor a senior leadership team of 10+ department heads with a total site headcount of 400+. Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and transparent communication. Conduct daily shop-floor engagement (GEMBA), performance reviews, and employee development initiatives to drive operational discipline. Build succession plans and develop internal talent to ensure organizational continuity. Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, or a related field required; MBA or advanced technical degree preferred. 10-15+ years of senior-level leadership experience in aerospace or defense manufacturing. Proven track record of managing $150M+ revenue operations with full P&L ownership. In-depth knowledge of precision machining, complex assembly, sheet metal fabrication, welding, and special processes. Expertise with ERP systems such as Epicor, SAP, or Oracle, and data platforms such as Power BI or Tableau. Strong background in Lean, Six Sigma, job costing, labor planning, and ISO/AS9100 quality systems. High emotional intelligence with a strong ability to lead through influence, engage teams, and communicate effectively across all organizational levels.