A large privately owned company in the Southeast has retained our firm to help in their search for a General Manager of their Elizabethtown, Kentucky facility.  Our client is a market leader in the manufacturing, servicing, and after-sale support services of quality mobile equipment.  They are seeking a strong leader and manager to oversee the operations of this aerial device manufacturing facility with 400+ employees.

Headquartered in Alabama, our client manufactures lift trucks, digger derricks, and specialty equipment for use by linemen in the electric utility, telecommunications, and tree care industries. The company also provides after-sale support worldwide.  In addition, the company sells used equipment, rents equipment, and offers financing services through a subsidiary. 

Founded in 1929, our client operates more than 26 manufacturing, final assembly, and service facilities throughout Canada and the U.S. and has more than 2,500 employees and revenues in excess of $750MM.  

Based in Elizabethtown, KY, the General Manager will be responsible for one of the company’s premier manufacturing facilities.  His/her direct reports include two plant managers, a human resources manager, and a quality manager.  Candidate qualifications include:

•   a minimum of 10+ years of experience leading the application, design, and manufacturing operations of a business unit that manufactures high quality custom engineered, to-order solutions; a strong track record of increasingly responsible positions including plant management experience for an industrial product or automotive related manufacturer;

•   compelling leadership; the ability to build a strong culture and team environment; a motivator and mentor; someone who can create consensus around a vision for the future, implement creative ideas, and build excitement; a proven ability to effectively manage a remote facility and create a plant culture consistent with and connected to the rest of the company;

•   successful manufacturing management experience, which encompasses quality, manufacturing engineering, machining, and assembly; he/she should have previous experience with advanced planning and scheduling systems, Lean manufacturing, continuous improvement or similar progressive management approaches;

•   a hands-on approach to manufacturing, must be willing to roll-up his/her sleeves and get into the detail of analysis of metrics, processes, and performance, while still being able to keep the “eye on the prize” of the bigger business picture;

•   a strong understanding of the financial performance and the ability to take appropriate actions to improve the bottom line; ideally, a successful track record of  developing and maintaining budgets for all operations activities while insuring financial measurements and objectives are met, and continually updated;

•   strong communication skills with a highly professional presence and great people skills; the ability to relate to bosses, peers, subordinates, and customers locally, domestically and globally; 

•   infectious enthusiasm, self-confidence and high energy level; low need for personal limelight; a good listener with a sense of humor who embraces the company’s core values that emphasize customer first, enjoyment of work and family, financial stability, integrity, quality, spiritual development and teamwork; knows that people are any company's greatest strength;

•   a degree from an accredited four-year college; preferably a BS in engineering; an MBA or Masters Degree would be a plus. 

This is an excellent opportunity to join a rapidly growing leader in the manufacturing and servicing sector.  An attractive compensation package, including base salary and bonus will be tailored to the successful candidate’s requirements.

Please contact resume3@sockwell.com to suggest potential candidates and/or networking sources or to express confidential personal interest.