General Manager

Acme Finishing Company.•Benton Harbor, MI

14d

About The Position

General Manager Freedom Finishing, LLC Benton Harbor, MI The Opportunity Freedom Finishing is a leader in powder coating and e-coating for automotive and manufacturing customers who demand reliability, consistency, and on-time performance. We are building a high-performance, execution-focused culture and are looking for a General Manager who can learn the current operation deeply , earn trust, and then drive meaningful improvement with speed and tact . This role is hands-on and strategic -- ideal for a leader who can set vision, roll up their sleeves, and personally see initiatives through to completion. Critical Outcomes Develop and execute the company's 1- and 3-year plans Ensure the company operates profitably, efficiently, and safely Deliver 10%+ annual sales growth Ensure the company responds quickly and effectively to new sales opportunities Drive timely, well-executed operational and organizational improvements

Requirements

Ability to learn existing processes quickly , understand what is working, and identify where change is required
Strong tact and emotional intelligence -able to push for improvement without alienating or offending current employees
Visionary thinker who can see what needs to be done , prioritize it, and execute
A true starter and finisher -personally drives projects from concept through completion rather than delegating and disengaging
Comfortable being hands-on in operations , especially in maximizing throughput and efficiency of powder coating lines
High sense of urgency balanced with sound judgment
Personable, collaborative, and able to build credibility across all levels of the organization
Acts with integrity and treats others with decency and respect
Ideally, operational leadership experience in a business that applied coatings (either an OEM or a custom applicator)
Master's degree or equivalent experience
4–10+ years of leadership experience in manufacturing or industrial operations
Proven record of driving growth and operational improvement
Comfortable working in the business-not just on the business
Strong communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills

Responsibilities

Learn Freedom's current operations, workflows, and culture before implementing change
Set clear expectations and hold leaders accountable while maintaining trust and respect
Serve as the EOS Integrator , running effective L-10 meetings and driving execution
Actively manage production priorities, capacity, and constraints to maximize output and performance
Identify, lead, and personally drive high-impact improvement initiatives
Ensure rapid response to customer needs and new sales opportunities
Lead and support the sales effort, including major projects and key accounts
Ensure Freedom Finishing maintains required ISO certifications and complies with all environmental, safety, and regulatory requirements
Ensure quality, environmental, and business objectives are clearly understood and executed throughout the organization
Interface with Acme Finishing, Freedom's corporate parent, on a weekly basis to ensure alignment on key objectives