General Manager (Columbia City, IN)

General Manager

Columbia City, Indiana | Full-Time | $160,000–$190,000 Base + Bonus + Long-Term Incentive

About the Company

Our client is a global leader in medical product sterilization, providing critical services that help ensure medical products are safe for patients and ready for use.

The organization has a strong history of employee tenure, with many employees building long-term careers with the company. The culture emphasizes operational excellence, safety, quality, employee development, and customer service.

About the Opportunity

Our client is seeking a General Manager to lead its Columbia City, Indiana facility. This is a highly visible leadership position with significant responsibility for the site's operations, people, financial performance, and overall business results.

The Columbia City facility utilizes electron beam (E-beam) sterilization technology, creating a technically sophisticated operating environment. The facility currently has approximately 50 employees, with the potential to grow to approximately 66–70 employees as the operation expands capacity.

This position is ideal for a hands-on, people-focused operations leader who enjoys working in a technical environment and has the judgment, accountability, and determination to lead a 24/7 operation.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership and operational direction for the Columbia City facility.

• Own site performance, including P&L, operational results, productivity, quality, safety, and customer commitments.

• Lead, develop, and engage approximately 50 employees while building a strong culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

• Serve as a visible and accessible leader across all levels of the organization.

• Maintain visibility across multiple shifts in a 24/7/365 operating environment.

• Address employee relations and people-management issues with sound judgment, escalating matters to HR and senior leadership when appropriate.

• Partner with regional and corporate leaders across Operations, HR, EH&S, Quality, Finance, Engineering, and other functions.

• Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency, productivity, quality, and overall site performance.

• Drive Lean, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Ensure compliance with safety, regulatory, quality, and company standards.

• Develop and execute business plans that support current operations and future facility growth.

• Build strong relationships with employees, customers, corporate leadership, and external partners.

• Provide clear communication regarding site performance, challenges, opportunities, and priorities.

What We're Looking For

The successful candidate will be a strong people leader and experienced operations professional who is comfortable taking ownership of a complex facility.

Preferred qualifications include:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical discipline preferred.

• Significant experience in manufacturing, industrial operations, medical device, life sciences, or another highly technical environment.

• Strong electrical and/or mechanical knowledge.

• Experience with E-beam technology is highly desirable but not required.

• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Lean Six Sigma, Operational Excellence, or continuous improvement methodologies.

• Green Belt certification or similar Lean/OpEx training is a plus.

• Demonstrated financial understanding, including experience managing budgets and/or P&L responsibility.

• Strong employee relations and people-management skills.

• Ability to make sound decisions in challenging or time-sensitive situations.

• Strong communication and collaboration skills.

• Demonstrated work ethic, resilience, and willingness to take ownership in a demanding operating environment.

Technical & Military Backgrounds

Candidates with strong technical experience may be considered even if they do not have a traditional engineering degree.

Individuals with U.S. Navy or Air Force backgrounds involving radar, electrical systems, electronics, or other highly technical equipment may have particularly relevant experience for this environment.

Leadership Expectations

This is a hands-on General Manager role. While the standard schedule is generally Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., the facility operates 24/7/365, and the General Manager is expected to maintain visibility across shifts and understand the operation firsthand.

The successful leader will:

• Be highly visible and approachable.

• Build trust with employees at every level.

• Hold people accountable while maintaining a positive culture.

• Lead by example.

• Address problems directly and thoughtfully.

• Know when to make decisions independently and when to involve the appropriate regional or corporate leader.

• Maintain a strong focus on safety, quality, people, customers, and business performance.

Compensation & Benefits

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Base Salary: $160,000–$190,000, depending on experience and location

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Annual Bonus: 20% short-term incentive opportunity

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Long-Term Incentive: Approximately $35,000 annually, with a three-year vesting schedule

• Relocation assistance may be available for qualified candidates

• Comprehensive benefits package

• Long-term incentive opportunity

• Stable organization with strong employee tenure

Why Join?

This is an opportunity to lead a technically sophisticated operation supporting the medical products industry while having meaningful influence over the site's people, culture, operations, and financial performance.

The General Manager will have true ownership of the facility and the opportunity to make a direct impact on operational performance, employee development, continuous improvement, and future growth.

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