General Manager

Hamilton, ON

$130,000 - $150,000 annually

About Us

STRIVE is a specialist recruitment firm offering proactive recruitment solutions in the areas of Accounting & Finance, Corporate Administration, Manufacturing Operations, and Technology. STRIVE supports various clients from small to medium-sized enterprises to Fortune 500 organizations for their permanent, contract, and temporary recruitment needs.

The Role

Our client, a well-established commercial vehicle repair and fabrication operation, is seeking a strong General Manager to lead day-to-day operations, drive profitability, and support long-term business growth across their Stoney Creek facility.

This business specializes in heavy-duty truck and trailer repairs, axle modifications, spring alignment, fabrication, welding, frame and body structuring, and custom commercial vehicle work. Operating as a niche division within a larger transportation and logistics group, the facility services both internal divisions and external commercial customers, including competitor fleets and transportation partners.

This role is ideal for a hands-on leader who thrives in operational environments and understands how to balance shop performance, customer relationships, financial accountability, and sales growth. The successful candidate will oversee the full operation of the business, leading the service team while managing profitability, strengthening existing client relationships, and driving new business opportunities.

Advantages

• Competitive salary: $130,000 – $150,000 annually
• Full-time permanent opportunity
• Health & dental benefits
• Vacation
• High-autonomy leadership role with strong long-term growth potential
• Opportunity to lead a specialized and growing division within a larger organization
• Direct impact on operational performance, revenue growth, and team development

Responsibilities

• Lead the overall performance of the business, including operations, financial results, customer satisfaction, and revenue growth
• Provide direct leadership to the Shop Manager, Foreman, Parts team, technicians, and administrative staff
• Oversee day-to-day shop operations, workflow management, scheduling, and labour productivity
• Establish and monitor KPIs including labour efficiency, billed hours, turnaround time, gross profit, net profit, inventory turnover, aged A/R performance
• Review work orders to ensure labour, parts allocation, and job descriptions are accurate and complete prior to billing and customer pickup
• Ensure quality control standards are maintained across all repair and fabrication work while minimizing warranty-related issues
• Drive new business development targeting fleets, carriers, and commercial transportation accounts
• Maintain and strengthen existing client relationships while identifying opportunities for account growth and service expansion
• Develop proposals, pricing strategies, and service agreements to improve profitability and market share
• Own full P&L responsibility including budgeting, forecasting, cost controls, and financial performance analysis
• Improve gross profit margins, net profitability, inventory turnover, and overall operational efficiency
• Reduce operational costs and improve cash flow through stronger process management and improved receivables performance
• Ensure compliance with MTO, CVOR, workplace safety standards, and all regulatory requirements
• Support recruitment, retention, team development, and culture-building across the operation
• Maintain facility standards, building maintenance, and safe working conditions throughout the shop

Requirements

• 5–10 years of leadership experience within commercial vehicle repair, transportation, or a related heavy-duty industry
• Strong understanding of heavy-duty truck and trailer repair operations, fabrication, welding, and commercial fleet service environments
• Proven success managing operations, business development, and financial performance in a service-based business
• Experience managing full P&L responsibility, budgets, forecasting, and revenue growth strategies
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to coach teams, drive accountability, and improve operational performance
• Experience working with KPIs, profitability metrics, and business growth planning
• Strong customer relationship management and sales development experience
• Knowledge of Ontario regulatory requirements including MTO and CVOR is strongly preferred
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and ability to operate with autonomy

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