GM-Stoughton Fabrication

Overview:

We are seeking an experienced, results-driven General Manager to not only continue, but also accelerate the transformation of our fabrication operations. The optimal candidate is a Senior Manufacturing ACE that possesses a combination of deep fabrication understanding knowledge and lean leadership skills. A proven track record in driving continuous improvement and cost reductions. They must have demonstrated experience leading transformational changes, optimize production systems, and engage employees at every level to build a culture of excellence, safety, and efficiency.

A deep understanding of fabrication involves mastery in both technical skills (e.g., welding, cutting, material properties) and operational aspects (e.g., process optimization, resource management, and safety). It also requires the ability to adapt to new technologies and stay current with industry advancements.

Key Responsibilities / Qualifications:

1. Lean Manufacturing Expertise

• Implementation of Lean Principles: Demonstrates proficiency in applying lean methodologies such as 5S, Kaizen, Kanban, Value Stream Mapping (VSM), Six Sigma, and Root Cause Analysis (RCA) to drive continuous improvement and reduce waste.
• Waste Reduction: Proven success in identifying and eliminating inefficiencies across the value stream, from raw material handling to finished goods delivery.
• Flow Optimization: Demonstrated ability to streamline processes, improve production flow, and balance workloads to reduce lead times and inventory levels.

1. Process Improvement & Optimization

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Strong analytical skills to interpret production data, identify bottlenecks, and suggest actionable changes based on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
• Process Mapping and Re-engineering: Ability to map current processes, analyze gaps, and redesign workflows to improve efficiency, quality, and cost.
• Root Cause Analysis: Skilled in identifying the root causes of operational problems and implementing corrective actions to avoid recurrence.

1. Change Management

• Leading Organizational Change: Demonstrated success in leading cultural transformation, especially in challenging environments, shifting the organization from traditional manufacturing practices to lean operations.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Strong ability to engage with, influence, and align stakeholders (from frontline workers to senior leadership) to drive lean initiatives and sustain change.
• Resistance Management: Ability to manage resistance to change by addressing concerns and involving key personnel in the transformation process.

1. Leadership and People Development

• Team Leadership: Proven ability to lead, mentor, and develop high-performing teams, fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Employee Empowerment: Skills in empowering employees at all levels to take ownership of their work, contribute ideas for improvement, and solve problems.
• Conflict Resolution: Capable of navigating conflict, ensuring alignment within cross-functional teams, and managing interpersonal dynamics.

1. Cost Management and Financial Acumen

• Cost Reduction: Expertise in identifying opportunities for cost savings and resource optimization without compromising quality or safety.
• Budget Management: Experience in managing budgets and ensuring that lean initiatives translate into cost-effective operations.
• ROI Analysis: Ability to quantify the return on investment (ROI) for various projects and improvements, ensuring they deliver tangible business benefits.

1. Operational Excellence and Performance Metrics

• Setting and Monitoring KPIs: Ability to define clear operational goals, measure performance using KPIs, and consistently track improvements in areas such as productivity, quality, on-time delivery, and customer satisfaction.
• Quality Control: Experience in establishing strong quality management systems (QMS) and driving quality improvements through methodologies like Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) and Statistical Process Control (SPC).
• Capacity Planning and Utilization: Skilled in evaluating production capacity and optimizing resources to meet fluctuating demand and minimizing downtime.

1. Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking

• Critical Decision-Making: Strong ability to analyze complex operational problems, consider multiple solutions, and make data-driven decisions that balance short-term needs with long-term goals.
• Quick Thinking Under Pressure: Proven experience in identifying issues quickly during crisis situations and implementing immediate corrective actions while planning for long-term solutions.

1. Project Management and Execution

• Project Planning and Execution: Ability to lead cross-functional teams through the planning and execution of projects (e.g., plant upgrades, new equipment installations, system overhauls) while ensuring minimal disruption to production.
• Timely Delivery: Demonstrated success in delivering projects on time, within scope, and under budget, even in challenging conditions.

1. Supply Chain & Vendor Management

• Supply Chain Optimization: Experience optimizing the supply chain by reducing lead times, improving supplier relationships, and ensuring timely procurement of materials.
• Inventory Management: Proven expertise in managing inventory effectively, using techniques like Just-in-Time (JIT) and Kanban to maintain optimal stock levels without overburdening the system.
• Vendor and Partner Collaboration: Skill in negotiating with suppliers and partners to secure favorable terms and improve the quality and delivery of materials and components.

1. Technology Integration

• Automation and Technology Implementation: Familiarity with Industry 4.0 concepts, including automation, robotics, and smart factory technologies, and the ability to incorporate these into manufacturing operations.
• ERP Systems and Data Analytics: Proficiency with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and manufacturing software, along with the ability to leverage data analytics for decision-making.

1. Safety and Compliance

• Safety Management: A strong commitment to creating and maintaining a safe work environment through adherence to safety standards and best practices in health and safety management.
• Regulatory Compliance: Knowledge of and experience in ensuring compliance with relevant industry regulations (e.g., ISO, OSHA, environmental standards).

1. Customer Focus and Quality Assurance

• Customer-Centric Focus: Strong understanding of customer requirements, ensuring that manufacturing processes align with quality expectations and on-time delivery.
• Quality Assurance: Demonstrated ability to improve product quality, reduce defects, and implement systems to monitor and maintain high standards of excellence.

1. Communication and Influence

• Effective Communication: Ability to clearly communicate goals, challenges, and results to diverse audiences, including executives, staff, customers, and suppliers.
• Influence Without Authority: Demonstrated success in influencing people at all levels of the organization, even without direct authority, to adopt new processes and practices.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Creation of a comprehensive business plan with a 3-year view of the investments required to succeed including sales and margin plan, SG&A assumptions, and shared service needs.
• Assess and develop a sales distribution network that is capable of consistently selling out Stoughton Fabrication plant capacity and meeting sales and market share goals while also meeting profit goals.
• Develop and implement strategic sales and marketing plans to (in cooperation with other departments) align the strengths of the organization with the market opportunities to maximize profit, ROI, and value for stakeholders in the Company. This includes, but is not limited to, the development of product lines to respond to the market.
• Creation of team structure to focus on metal fabricated business - identify talent needed by department with an associated ROI assessment for each position.
• Coordinate with Engineering, Sales, and Marketing to develop the appropriate product plan and product features for Stoughton Fabrication products.
• Perform all assigned tasks in a safe, efficient, timely, and accurate and highly productive manner according to company policy.
• Contribute to the team's effort to produce a quality product.
• Follows Quality Business Management System within Sales & Marketing Procedures.
  Attend scheduled work hours on a regular and timely basis. Maintain good attendance.
• Comply with all company policies and procedures
• Support pricing decisions.
• Maintain historical as well as current data to establish trends in Stoughton sales to be used in making future sales & marketing decisions.
• Attend weekly meetings.
• Meet with suppliers to discuss problems and look at new products.
• Work and communication in a team environment.
• Other duties may be assigned as required by the Company.
  
  

Above is a list of the most important responsibilities and functions, which are essential to the position. Employees must be able to perform these essential functions satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation. Accommodations will be evaluated and provided to eligible employees on a case by case basis, depending on the employee's medical restrictions, work availability, the nature of the position, the position's essential functions and other relevant factors.

Qualifications

• Education: 4-year business degree or equivalent
• Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:




• Minimum 15 years previous experience in heavy metal fabrication and business development.
• Trailer industry experience preferred.
• Verbal communication skills, including in front of large groups of people.
• Knowledge of how to grow and build a business.
• Written communication skills.
• Computer skills.




• Core Competencies:




• Attention to detail
• Ability to persuade peer level and shared service departments

Training:

• Orientation

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

Please refer to the general office physical demands checklist for more information regarding the working conditions and physical requirements for this job.