General Manager - Subcontract Machining

We are recruiting a General Manager-on behalf of our client, a well-established subcontract machining business based in Birmingham, forming part of very successful private group & a wider manufacturing group that has just secured significant investment to drive the next phase of growth.

What''s on Offer

• Competitive salary, commensurate with experience:--100k
• Generous bonus potential
• Car allowance
• Pension
• Private medical
• The backing of a well-funded, ambitious Group with genuine investment behind this site
• A high-impact leadership role with real autonomy and a clear growth mandate
• The opportunity to shape the future of an established Birmingham manufacturing business

The opportunity:
Following this investment, our client is looking for an experienced-General Manager-to take full operational and commercial control of the site. This is a rare opportunity to lead a business with real backing behind it: new capital, group-level support, and a clear mandate to modernise, grow, and strengthen the site''s position in the subcontract machining market.

The successful candidate will take ownership of day-to-day operations while shaping the strategic direction of the business, reporting directly into the Group board.

The Role

As General Manager, you will be responsible for the full performance of the site, including safety, quality, delivery, cost, and people, while acting as the driving force behind the site''s growth plan. Key responsibilities include:

• Full P&L accountability for the Birmingham site
• Leading and developing the operations, production, quality, and commercial teams
• Overseeing production planning, capacity, and on-time delivery performance across a subcontract machining environment (CNC turning/milling, multi-axis, etc.)
• Driving investment plans, including new machinery, capital equipment, facility improvements, and process upgrades
• Building and maintaining strong customer relationships, supporting business development and new account wins
• Ensuring compliance with quality standards-
• Embedding lean manufacturing principles and driving continuous improvement across the site
• Managing supplier relationships, procurement, and cost control
• Reporting site performance, KPIs, and strategic progress to the Group leadership team
• Building a strong leadership team and positive site culture as the business scales

About You

Our client is looking for a genuinely experienced manufacturing leader: someone who has run a site or business unit before and understands subcontract machining inside out. You will likely have:

• Significant senior leadership experience within precision engineering / subcontract machining, ideally as a General Manager, Operations Director, or Site Director
• A strong technical understanding of CNC machining processes, production planning, and quality systems
• A track record of improving site performance, including delivery, efficiency, margin, and quality
• Experience managing P&L and making commercially sound decisions
• Strong people leadership skills, with experience building and developing teams
• Experience of capital investment projects, such as new equipment, facility upgrades, or business transformation
• Excellent communication skills, comfortable engaging with customers, suppliers, and Group stakeholders alike
• A hands-on, visible leadership style; this is not a desk-only role

Experience within a group-owned or private equity-backed manufacturing business would be an advantage but is not essential.

Apply now for a confidential chat.

Our client is an equal opportunities employer.