The Company: Garaga Position Title: General Manager Reports to: Vice President of US Sales and Operations Location: Ponca City, Oklahoma Scope: 180,000 sq ft | 150 Employees | Non-Union https://www.garaga.com/ https://www.garaga.com/video/how-its-made ![]() |
THE COMPANY:
Garaga is a family business founded in 1983 by Michel Gendreau and passed on to his 2 twin sons, Martin and Maxime, both co-presidents since 2018. A leading Canadian and US based manufacturer of superior quality garage doors for the residential, commercial and industrial markets, Garaga is also a distributor of LiftMaster door openers and accessories. The company sells its products all over Canada and the United States, through its network of specialists, the Garaga Experts, as well as in the largest hardware store banners. Garaga is renowned for the variety and quality of its products, the value of its warranties and the quality of its Garaga Experts network, a program designed to ensure the success of its dealers and the most enjoyable and easiest customer experience ever.
Our mission To ensure the success of our dealer network and to make sure that consumers can always count on the beauty, strength and durability of our garage doors to add curb appeal to their buildings.
THE OPPORTUNITY:
The General Manager is a senior leadership position responsible for overseeing and optimizing all aspects of the manufacturing operations within the business unit. This role requires a dynamic individual with a strong blend of strategic thinking, operational expertise, and leadership capabilities to drive the achievement of production targets, quality standards, and operational efficiency.
The General Manager is a member of the Group Executive Manufacturing leadership team, reports directly to the Vice President of US Sales and Operations and collaborates closely with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration of manufacturing processes.
KEY RESPONSIBILITES:
Strategic Leadership
- Understand regional market and customer needs. Develop in collaboration with sales and marketing a comprehensive strategy to differentiate ourselves in terms of service, quality and product offering.
- Develop and execute new product introductions and improvements based on material cost optimization and voice of customer programs.
- Develop and execute a comprehensive manufacturing strategy aligned with the overall organizational goals.
- Create a vision (with the team) for the business to reach it’s full potential thru Product Optimisation & MFG Excellencethat drive high customer satisfaction.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance operational efficiency, reduce waste, and increase productivity.
- Implement best practices in manufacturing processes, technologies, and methodologies to maintain a competitive advantage
Operational Excellence
- Optimize supply chain where improvements can be made to streamline processes, reduce costs, and enhance overall performance.
- Monitor and manage production schedules, capacity planning, and resource allocation to meet customer demands and delivery targets.
- Oversee production planning, scheduling, and inventory management to ensure optimal levels of raw materials and finished goods.
- Implement and maintain quality control and assurance programs to ensure products meet or exceed industry and customer standards.
Team Leadership and Development
- Develop efficient relationships with internal/external customers and supplier networks.
- Lead, motivate, and develop a high-performing manufacturing team, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous learning.
- Provide clear direction and performance expectations, conducting regular performance evaluations, and identifying training and development opportunities.
- Foster a safe working environment, adhering to health and safety regulations and promoting a culture of safety awareness.
- Listens to team ideas and lead by example, Foster an open door policy and colloberate with team members to seek best solutions.
Financial Management
- Develop and manage manufacturing budgets, analyzing cost data and implementing cost-saving measures.
- Optimize resource utilization and minimize waste to achieve production targets within budget constraints.
- Collaborate with finance and procurement teams to ensure efficient supply chain management and cost-effective sourcing of materials.
- Identifies
Cross-functional Collaboration
- Work closely with engineering, quality assurance, research and development, and supply chain functions to ensure seamless product development and production processes.
- Collaborate with sales and marketing teams to align production capabilities with market demands and customer expectations.
- Foster strong relationships with external partners, suppliers, and vendors to ensure timely and quality supply of materials.
Change Management
- Lead and manage change initiatives, adapting manufacturing processes to respond to evolving market conditions and technological advancements.
- Drive a culture of innovation and adaptability, encouraging the adoption of new technologies and practices to improve manufacturing processes.
Communication and Reporting
- Provide regular updates and reports to executive leadership on manufacturing performance, key metrics, and strategic initiatives.
- Effectively communicate across all levels of the organization, ensuring alignment of manufacturing goals with broader business objectives.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business Administration, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred.
- Proven track record of successful manufacturing leadership, with at least [7] years of experience in progressively responsible roles.
- Strong knowledge of lean manufacturing principles, Six Sigma methodologies, and other continuous improvement methodologies.
- Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
- Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate teams.
- Proficiency in manufacturing software systems and tools (e.g., ERP systems, production planning software).
- Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects, budgets, and resources.
- In-depth understanding of industry regulations, safety standards, and compliance requirements.
About Cornerstone Kansas City:
Cornerstone Kansas City is a leading retained executive search firm based in Prairie Village, Kansas that helps great companies recruit great people. For more than 40 years, Cornerstone Kansas City has excelled in serving its client companies with executive talent acquisition, leadership development and career transition services across the Central Midwest region of the United States. Cornerstone Kansas City has successfully completed more than 1,600 retained executive search assignments for C-suite, President, Vice President, Director and Senior Management-level positions. To inquire about how Cornerstone Kansas City can serve your executive talent acquisition needs, please click here to visit our website.
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