General Manager, Aerospace & Defense (HMI)

Job Description

Job DescriptionDescription:

About Nelson Miller Group

Since 1904, Nelson Miller Group (NMG) has been a leading global provider of custom solutions, partnering with organizations across industrial, IoT, lighting, medical, telecommunications, consumer, and aerospace and defense sectors. We bring complex products to life by solving intricate challenges in engineering design, manufacturing, and supply chain management. Our expertise spans Human-Machine Interface (HMI) solutions, value-added distribution, plastics, membrane switches, overlays, touch panels, electronics, metals, and cables.

Our century-long legacy is built on a deep commitment to innovation, operational excellence, and unwavering customer satisfaction. These principles drive everything we do as we continue to grow and expand our global market presence. We're looking for a strategic and dynamic leader to help us scale and optimize our critical Aerospace & Defense segment while upholding our high standards of quality and service.

The Opportunity: General Manager, Aerospace & Defense Segment

Nelson Miller Group seeks an accomplished General Manager to lead our $20M+ Aerospace & Defense segment, with a specialized focus on Human-Machine Interface (HMI) solutions. This is a pivotal, hands-on leadership role for a proven operations executive experienced in low-volume, high-mix manufacturing within the highly regulated A&D business environment.

We're looking for a true Lean Manufacturing champion who can drive operational excellence, cultivate a culture of accountability, and align teams around clear KPIs and performance goals.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic & Operational Leadership: Develop and execute comprehensive strategic operational plans aligned with company mission and objectives for the A&D segment.
• Performance & Continuous Improvement: Drive performance metrics, operational KPIs, and continuous improvement initiatives across all sites. Champion Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and other process improvement methodologies to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and maximize output.
• Customer Success: Attend customer meetings, help foster customer relationships.
• Financial Management: Own and optimize the segment's P&L performance, with a strategic focus on cost control, quality assurance, and maximizing customer satisfaction.
• Team Leadership & Development: Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing, accountable team. Foster a performance-driven and relationship-based culture, developing talent and enhancing team.
• Stakeholder & Customer Relationships: Establish and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with leadership, key customers, strategic suppliers, and cross-functional teams to drive business growth and ensure compliance.
• Manufacturing Excellence: Oversee and ensure consistency and excellence in our complex, low-volume, high-mix manufacturing Aerospace & Defense environment, with a focus on Human Machine Interface.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure stringent compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations, including ITAR, DFAR’s, NIST, CMMC2, to uphold the company’s legal and ethical standards.
• Resource Optimization: Effectively manage all resources to maximize production output and minimize waste across operations.
• Travel: Ability to travel up to 20%

Requirements:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related technical field is required. The ideal candidate will have a working knowledge of Mechanical, Material, and Electrical Engineering with a concentration on at least one of these. An MBA or advanced degree is preferred.
• Skills/Knowledge: Exceptional leadership, communication (written and verbal), and organizational skills. Proven ability to lead effectively with high emotional intelligence and strong interpersonal skills.
• Experience:
  • 10+ years of progressive operations leadership experience in manufacturing.
  • Demonstrated success managing P&L over $20M within an Aerospace & Defense location or division.
  • Extensive background in Lean Manufacturing, Process Engineering, and Continuous Improvement methodologies (e.g., Six Sigma certification).
  • Proven experience with low-volume, high-mix manufacturing.
  • Direct experience with Human-Machine Interface (HMI) manufacturing is a significant plus.
• Compliance: Due to ITAR compliance, this position requires candidates to be a U.S. Citizen, Permanent Resident Alien, or Protected Individual per 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).

Why Join Nelson Miller Group?

This is an exceptional opportunity to lead a critical segment within a long-standing, innovative company. You will have a direct impact on our strategic growth in the aerospace and defense sector, working alongside a dedicated team. We offer a dynamic environment where your expertise in operational excellence and leadership will be highly valued and directly contribute to our success.

Benefits:

Nelson Miller Group offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the well-being and financial security of our employees. This includes medical, dental, and vision coverage; company-paid basic life/AD&D insurance; short-term and long-term disability insurance; voluntary supplemental insurance, flexible spending accounts, and an employee assistance program (EAP). We provide paid time off including sick leave, vacation time, and company-paid holidays.

We also offer a 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with a safe harbor non-elective company contribution, demonstrating our commitment to your financial future.

Pre-Employment Requirements:

Candidates being considered for hire must successfully pass a pre-employment background check.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Nelson Miller Group is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.