Ferretti Search is proud to partner with a leading manufacturer of precision metal components to identify their next General Manager. This is a pivotal leadership role combining operational excellence, strategic growth, and team building in a metals manufacturing operation.
General Manager
Location: Merrill, WI (Onsite 4 days per week).
- For candidates who live in a neighboring metro - our client would be willing to arrange a flexible setup where you could travel into town and stay in a hotel 3-4 days/week.
Compensation: $185,000 - $200,000 target base salary (flexible higher for exceptional candidates) plus 30% annual bonus target.
Benefits: Health, vision, and dental coverage | 401(k) match | Unlimited paid time off
What’s in it for you?
- Leadership Opportunity: Report directly to the Division President to drive strategy and performance for a facility with $8–10 million in annual revenue
- Operational Turnaround: Modernize processes, reduce work-in-process, and diversify a customer base that is 60% aligned to a single major OEM
- Small-Team Impact: Lead a compact workforce of approximately 60 employees and contractors in a high-efficiency manufacturing environment
- Lifestyle Balance: Embrace life in a scenic region offering abundant outdoor recreation, with Merrill just north of Wausau providing affordable living and four-day workweeks
What will your day look like?
- Oversee all plant operations including production, quality, maintenance, shipping, purchasing, and customer service
- Implement lean manufacturing principles to improve throughput and cost efficiency in wire forming, bending, drilling, threading, and plating processes
- Lead sales-driven initiatives to develop new business outside the core agricultural and lawn-care segments
- Manage department leaders, conduct regular Gemba walks, and coach teams on best practices and safety standards
- Collaborate with corporate engineering, finance, and HR to align plant goals with enterprise strategy
Who are you?
- Manufacturing Leader: 7+ years in operations management within metal component or fastener production
- Business-Minded: Proven ability to generate new business through customer engagement and to manage P&L for small to mid-sized facilities
- Process Innovator: Hands-on experience with tooling, fixture design, and continuous improvement methodologies
- Team Builder: Skilled at mentoring supervisors, fostering collaboration, and cultivating a culture of accountability and safety
- Technical Communicator: Able to read and interpret complex engineering drawings and specifications for automotive or aerospace customers
- Degree Preferred: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or related discipline; equivalent experience considered
Application & Contact Information
To explore this opportunity, please apply directly. For immediate consideration, feel free to email your resume to Matt Roe at [email protected].
Related Terms: General Manager, Manufacturing Director, Wire Forming, Fastener Production, Operations Leadership, Lean Manufacturing, Business Development, P&L Management, Team Coaching
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