Job Title: General Manager – Manufacturing Operations

Location: Mansfield, MA Department: Operations Reports To: President, Global Manufacturing

Job Summary

Our client is seeking a strategic, commercially minded, and operationally strong General Manager to lead our Mansfield, MA manufacturing facility. This is a high-impact, autonomous leadership role with full P&L ownership, responsible for driving both the financial performance and commercial success of the site.

The General Manager will oversee all aspects of plant operations—including production, safety, quality, labor relations, and continuous improvement—while also playing a critical role in customer engagement, revenue growth, and strategic business development. This is an exceptional opportunity to run a well-established business with the freedom to shape its future and deliver sustainable value.

The ideal candidate will bring a strong background in packaging manufacturing, experience managing unionized workforces, and a proven ability to lead cross-functional teams in a fast-paced, customer-focused environment.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

· Lead and manage all day-to-day operations of the Mansfield manufacturing site.

· Ensure compliance with all regulatory and environmental standards, including OSHA and ISO certifications.

· Develop and execute strategic plans to meet production, cost, and delivery targets.

· Implement lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement initiatives to optimize efficiency and reduce waste.

· Oversee capital projects, equipment upgrades, and facility improvements in alignment with our client's sustainability goals.

· Build and maintain strong relationships with union representatives; manage collective bargaining agreements and labor relations.

· Foster a culture of safety, accountability, and operational excellence.

Commercial & Financial Leadership

· Own full P&L responsibility for the Mansfield site, ensuring profitability, cost control, and financial discipline.

· Act as the commercial leader of the site—partnering with sales, account management, and customers to align operations with market needs.

· Drive margin improvement, pricing strategies, and customer negotiations.

· Identify and pursue new business opportunities, customer expansion, and revenue growth initiatives.

· Represent the site in customer meetings, audits, and business reviews to strengthen relationships and ensure satisfaction.

· Monitor financial performance, develop budgets and forecasts, and implement corrective actions as needed.

Strategic & Team Leadership

· Operate with a high degree of autonomy, making strategic decisions to grow and improve the business.

· Develop and mentor a high-performing leadership team and workforce.

· Champion cross-functional collaboration across operations, supply chain, engineering, and commercial teams.

· Promote a culture of continuous learning, innovation, and high performance.

---Qualifications

Required:

· Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, Business, or related field.

· Minimum 10 years of experience in manufacturing operations, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.

· Demonstrated experience managing unionized labor in a manufacturing setting.

· Strong background in the packaging industry (folding cartons, rigid boxes, or similar).

· Proven track record of full P&L ownership and commercial decision-making.

· Experience driving Lean/CI initiatives and operational transformation.

· Excellent leadership, communication, and conflict resolution skills.

· Proficiency in ERP systems and Microsoft Office Suite.

Preferred:

· Master’s degree (MBA or related field).

· Lean Six Sigma certification.

· Experience with sustainability initiatives in manufacturing.

· Familiarity with customer-facing roles or commercial partnerships.