General Manager

Element Materials Technology•Huntington Beach, CA

1d•$150,000 - $190,000

About The Position

Element has an opportunity for a General Manager (Testing & Certification) to lead all laboratory testing operations and certification activities at our Huntington Beach location. Reporting to the Director, this role is responsible for ensuring accurate, compliant, and timely execution of all testing services in alignment with aerospace and customer standards. This position requires a strong technical and operational leader focused on quality, throughput, and compliance, ensuring the integrity of all test results and certifications. Salary: $150,000 – $190,000 base / year DOE + Management Bonus Plan

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Materials Science, or related field
8–12+ years of operations leadership experience
Experience in manufacturing, laboratory, or aerospace environment preferred
Strong background in workflow management, planning, and customer-facing operation
Strong organizational, problem-solving and conflict resolution skills to effectively establish and maintain two-way communications to understand the needs and concerns of all departments
Proven track record of driving profitability, improving EBITDA

Responsibilities

Lead all laboratory testing functions, including: Mechanical testing, Metallurgy, Chemical analysis
Ensure adherence to approved methods, specifications, and procedures
Drive efficient utilization of equipment, personnel, and lab capacity
Certification & Technical Integrity
Own and exceed financial performance targets, including revenue, EBITDA, working capital, and cash flow.
Maintain technical credibility with aerospace clients (e.g., Howmet, PCC)
Execute and uphold compliance with ISO 17025, NADCAP, AS9100 and customer-specific requirements
Partner with Quality to ensure audit readiness and corrective actions
Deliver against site operational targets for turnaround time, productivity
Identify and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency and reduce rework
Provide clear direction, performance management, and accountability
Ensure operational efficiency and workforce productivity through proactive planning, resource allocation, and continuous improvement
Partner with Sales and Account teams to support customer retention and growth
Lead laboratory supervisors, engineers, and technicians
Foster a culture of safety, respect, and operational discipline
Collaborate cross-functionally with Quality, EHS, Finance, HR, Sales, and Technical teams to drive integrated success
Ensure full compliance with Element policies and applicable local, state, and federal regulations