General Manager in Cheshire, Warrington

Are you a manufacturing leader with a strong understanding of CNC machining, ready to take on General Manager responsibility and build towards a broader executive operations role? RPS leading a retained search for a General Manager to lead operational improvement within an international precision manufacturing group. Working in a high-mix, low-volume environment where CNC machining is a core process, you will take ownership of business performance, shape the operations future and develop towards a senior executive leadership position in the UK. The initial assignment will require
substantial time at a European manufacturing operation. Can be based anywhere in the UK for the first two years but future progression to executive level could mean relocation to one of their UK facilites.
Candidates must be comfortable with frequent travel and regular rotation, with relocation also an option. As General Manager, you will lead across production, engineering, quality and supply chain, improving productivity, profitability and operational performance. Were looking for someone who can move confidently between the shop floor and the financial detail. You will understand machining capacity, equipment utilisation and manufacturing costs, challenge established assumptions and turn improvement plans into measurable results. As General Manager, your responsibilities will include: Leading operational performance across a high-mix, low-volume manufacturing environment. Improving productivity, efficiency and gross-margin delivery. Strengthening value stream management across manufacturing and supporting functions. Reviewing machining capacity, equipment utilisation and make-versus-buy decisions. Improving costing, operational reporting and accountability. Reducing rework and strengthening engineering-to-production handovers. Developing the leadership team and delivering sustainable change. Working with international colleagues to improve business performance. You could be an established General Manager, Plant Manager or Operations Director, or a manufacturing leader ready to step into a broader role. This role has longevity and a career path that could take you all the way to C-Suite in a world-wide manufacturing business. You will bring: A strong record of career progression and increasing responsibility. Leadership experience in precision manufacturing, with practical knowledge of CNC machining. Enough technical understanding to challenge capacity and equipment decisions and establish shop-floor credibility. Evidence of measurable improvements in productivity, efficiency or profitability. Financial understanding covering cost, margin and working capital. Experience leading across functions, ideally with value stream responsibility. The confidence to challenge established practices, make decisions and bring people through change. The ambition and potential to progress into executive operations leadership. Experience in aerospace, defence or other specialist manufacturing sectors would be advantageous. Previous operational transformation or international manufacturing experience would also be valuable, but is not essential. Why consider this opportunity? This permanent appointment offers meaningful operational ownership, international exposure and the opportunity to influence how a manufacturing business operates. Longer-term progression towards a broader executive operations leadership role in the UK is central to the opportunity, subject to performance and business needs. Apply with your CV or contact Andrew Crook at RPS for a confidential discussion. Further details will be shared privately during the recruitment process. We are looking to submit a shortlist during the first two weeks of October.
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