General Manager
21 days ago
Kenilworth
Job DescriptionGeneral Manager Flexline (A TIPCO / Tibco Portfolio Company) Union County, NJ | On-siteThe Role Flexline is a lean, high-quality aerospace and industrial manufacturing business with deep institutional knowledge, long-tenured employees, and a hands-on operating culture. We are seeking a General Manager to lead the business through its next phase of growth while preserving what already works.This is not a desk-only or “delegate and orchestrate” GM role.This role requires someone who is comfortable rolling up their sleeves, stepping into operations, engaging directly with customers, and earning credibility on the shop floor. The right leader will partner closely with the founder during a thoughtful transition, learn the business deeply, and gradually assume day-to-day operational leadership. What This Role Is, and Is NotThis role is Hands-on, visible, and execution-focused Built for someone who thrives in lean environments with multiple hats A partnership role with an owner, not a power-transfer exercise Grounded in operational credibility and customer responsiveness This role is NOT: A corporate GM with layers of management A “bring your playbook and delegate” role A title-driven or desk-first leadership position A consulting or change-management assignment Required Experience & Traits Hands-on operational leadership in a lean manufacturing or industrial environment Comfort working without layers or large support teams Strong EQ and ability to partner with a founder Working knowledge of manufacturing KPIs and shop-floor management Experience in AS9100 or comparable regulated quality environments strongly preferred Engineering degree not required; practical intelligence and execution matter more Key ResponsibilitiesOperational Leadership Lead daily operations across metal, assembly, and testing Establish and maintain a strong operating cadence (safety, quality, delivery, backlog, labor, bottlenecks) Be present on the shop floor and engaged with the teamQuality & Compliance Own leadership of an AS9100-certified quality environment Ensure audit readiness, documentation discipline, and aerospace portal compliance Partner closely with QC to maintain high standards without slowing executionCustomer & Commercial Partnership Support customer relationships through responsiveness, credibility, and execution Be comfortable engaging directly with customers when needed Partner with commercial leadership (sales remains on the commercial side, not direct report)People & Culture Build trust with a long-tenured workforce Lead through presence, humility, and consistency Reduce dependency on the founder over time through earned leadership Systems & KPIs Use ERP and basic manufacturing KPIs to run the business day-to-day Monitor backlog, on-time delivery, margins, inventory, safety, and quality metrics Compensation Base salary varies by experience level (rising vs. seasoned GM) - $175,000-$250,000 Annual bonus target averages ~25% (up to ~30%) Based on location P&L, individual KPIs, and company EBITDA Total compensation aligned to experience and scope