Our client is an industry leader in helping companies with automation and machinery that supports the packaging, food & beverage, material handling, and other industries. We are exclusively retained with them on a General Manager search for their location in Northern Michigan between Grand Rapids and Traverse City. We are seeking a leader who can utilize their technical knowledge in machinery in addition to providing leadership to their Operations and Sales teams.

General Manager Responsibilities

• Ability to ensure scheduled jobs and machine and assembly personnel are appropriate to deliver on-time and complete customer solutions
• Lead MRP & CRM development and implementation across sales and operations
• Apply lean principals to improve efficiencies in operations and sales
• Assess capital needs and develop and present business justifications for purchases
• Assess staff, define appropriate training requirements and conduct annual reviews
• Develop and modify practices and processes to improve effectiveness and efficiencies
• Develop appropriate department metrics and report upon progress against those metrics
• Prepare annual budgets and execute responsibilities within the budget guidelines
• Manage and mitigate cost increases while driving cost savings within operations
• Research and define root cause of poor quality and rework; minimizing future rework
• Ensure safety and quality teams are appropriately encouraged and supported
• Managing the sales team and all sales activities within the company.
• Motivating staff and leading the team to achieve sales targets.
• Interviewing and selecting new members of the sales team.
• Carrying out sales training with sales executives and role playing sales techniques.
• Ensuring all administration for sales is completed effectively.
• Setting sales targets and activity key performance indicators.
• Reporting on progress towards sales KPI’s.
• Visiting customers and potential customers alongside sales executives.
• Cold calling customers and selling services and products
• Liaising with other departments within the company.
• Chasing leads and following up on opportunities to generate sales.
• Arranging to attend industry conferences and events.
• Networking with companies in the industry.
• Travel to meet with customers and other companies within the organization as needed. 10-20% long-term.

General Manager Requirements

• A Bachelor degree in Engineering, Operations, Business or a related field is required. Any advanced degree, Six Sigma or Lean trainings, or related certifications are preferred.
• At least 10 or more years in leading operations involving packaging machines, material handling equipment, automation, equipment rebuilds, or other related machinery environments.
• Prior experience leading sales operations is required which includes exposure to areas like CRM implementation, sales funnel management, client visits, assisting with the quoting process, and development & motivation of the Sales Representatives & Regional Sales Managers.