General Manager

Valmont Industries, Inc. • Franklin Park, IL

7d

About The Position

The General Manager has full profit and loss responsibility for the site and oversees its physical and human resources, strategic development, planning, execution, tactical direction, marketing and sales, budgeting, capital utilization, business expansion, and new construction. The GM manages through delegated authority to key functional employees and reports directly to the Regional Director responsible for the site.

The role directs the organization’s operations to improve efficiency, economy, and profitability, while guiding functional-area managers and supervisors. It oversees sales and marketing and the performance of material control and manufacturing, including engineering, employee safety, purchasing, production planning and scheduling, receiving, materials handling, inventory, stores, shipping, and coatings operations.

The GM leads site health, safety, and environmental performance, ensuring risks are controlled, regulations and company standards are met, and EHS responsibilities are integrated into operating decisions. The role also drives lean manufacturing, standardized and transferable best practices, continuous improvement, cost reduction, and operational efficiency. It is accountable for site goals, financial results, customer service, market development, facility maintenance, and developing the organization’s talent and staffing.

Requirements

• Preferred bachelor’s degree with 7 or more years of relevant experience, associate degree with 9 or more years of relevant experience, or 11 or more years of relevant experience.
• Ability to understand, oversee, and direct the use of sophisticated financial analysis and models to evaluate current and potential business units, products, and markets.
• Clear understanding of regulatory, societal, and economic drivers and their impact on the business unit.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents.
• Ability to respond to inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, and members of the business community.
• Ability to communicate at all organizational levels, write speeches and presentation materials, and present information effectively.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw timely and valid conclusions.
• Ability to interpret varied technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and work with abstract and concrete variables.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills and ability to work well with others.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Suite products, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Proven track record using lean manufacturing methodology and tools, including standard work, continuous improvement, problem resolution, and delivery of results that positively affect the organization’s bottom line.
• Ability to travel locally as needed and to other Coatings locations, trade shows, or American Galvanizers Association Technical Forums approximately 15% of the time.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish.
• Good understanding of Visual Shop, QAD, and other accounting software.

Responsibilities

• Direct and coordinate organizational activities to maximize operational efficiency, economy, and profitability.
• Manage site operations and provide guidance and direction to functional-area managers and supervisors.
• Direct sales and marketing activities, including staffing, pricing, labor, asset, and inventory management.
• Oversee material control and manufacturing operations, including engineering, safety, purchasing, production planning and scheduling, receiving, materials handling, inventory control, stores, shipping, and coatings.
• Support the Regional Director on special projects or assignments.
• Identify, control, and continuously reduce site risks; ensure compliance with Valmont EHS standards and applicable regulations.
• Implement and sustain Valmont’s Life-Saving Rules and Stop Work Authority programs.
• Ensure incidents are investigated for root causes, corrective actions are effective, and recurrence is prevented; support workers’ compensation, return-to-work, and employee recovery efforts.
• Provide resources and active engagement to achieve EHS objectives, foster leadership accountability and employee engagement, and integrate environmental compliance, safety, sustainability, and EHS systems into site operations.
• Maintain a lean manufacturing environment through standardized procedures, continuous improvement, and improved business results.
• Standardize and optimize processes so effective practices can be transferred to other sites, acquisitions, spin-offs, and new businesses.
• Identify opportunities to improve revenue and efficiency, including new applications, technological innovation, and business expansion.
• Establish sales and manufacturing goals, policies, and procedures, and hold department heads accountable for results.
• Represent the organization in industry, manufacturing, or trade associations.
• Lead efforts to provide innovative services and applications that meet or exceed customer expectations; participate in sales, customer contact, and follow-up.
• Monitor operating results against standards and take corrective action; implement lean principles, standard work, problem-resolution strategies, and workforce-led continuous improvement.
• Conduct cost-reduction programs and train employees to participate in continuous improvement.
• Direct activities to achieve site profitability and growth, including return on investment, profit margins, manufacturing and labor costs, and sales volume.
• Oversee annual operating budgets and collaborate on strategic plans, long-range plans, and annual operating plans.
• Promote services to develop new markets, increase market share, and strengthen the site’s competitive position.
• Oversee employee health and safety and environmental compliance, ensuring applicable regulations are met or exceeded.
• Oversee facility condition and maintenance through systematic repairs or economically appropriate capital requests.
• Develop and maintain the workforce through organizational design, staffing, development, performance appraisal, recognition, counseling, and training.

Benefits

• Healthcare, including medical, prescription drugs, dental, and vision.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match.
• Paid time off.
• Employer-paid life insurance.
• Employer-paid short-term and long-term disability, including maternity leave.
• Work Life Support.
• Tuition reimbursement up to $5,250 per year.
• Voluntary programs, including tobacco cessation, Type 2 diabetes reversal, one-on-one health coaching, and mortgage services.
• Monthly site-level bonus incentive.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed