General Manager

Our client is seeking a General Manager to lead one of its largest Food & Beverage testing laboratory operations in Green Bay, Wisconsin. This executive-level role carries full responsibility for site operations, financial performance, technical execution, regulatory compliance, and customer satisfaction. The General Manager will drive business performance within a fast-paced, high-volume food testing environment, leading a multidisciplinary team across laboratory operations, quality, client services, and support functions. This role holds full P&L ownership and is accountable for operational excellence, employee engagement, quality systems, client retention, and long-term strategic growth. The ideal candidate brings strong business acumen, proven site leadership experience, and a track record of managing complex laboratory operations. This individual must be capable of balancing commercial objectives with operational execution while fostering a culture focused on quality, safety, service, and continuous improvement. Responsibilities Strategic & Site Leadership Lead overall site strategy, operational performance, and growth initiatives Develop and execute annual operating plans aligned with business objectives Drive continuous improvement across operations, quality, service delivery, and employee engagement Serve as the senior escalation point for operational, quality, client, and personnel matters Partner with executive leadership to support long-term growth and expansion initiatives Ensure alignment between commercial priorities, laboratory capacity, and customer expectations Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and customer service Financial & Business Performance Own full site P&L, including revenue growth, profitability, EBITDA, and cost management Lead budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning processes Monitor and improve key performance indicators including turnaround time, productivity, utilization, quality, and customer satisfaction Partner with commercial teams on client retention, account growth, pricing strategy, and new business opportunities Evaluate and prioritize capital investments in instrumentation, automation, facility improvements, and technology Drive operational efficiencies while maintaining quality and service excellence Quality & Regulatory Oversight Ensure compliance with all applicable quality systems, accreditation requirements, and regulatory standards Maintain audit and inspection readiness for customer, accreditation, and regulatory reviews Champion data integrity, quality assurance, and continuous compliance initiatives Oversee investigations, corrective actions, and preventive action programs as needed Ensure laboratory operations consistently meet client expectations and quality requirements Promote a culture of quality, accountability, and operational discipline Operational Management Oversee all laboratory and support functions, including Chemistry, Microbiology, Sample Management, Client Services, and Operational Support teams Align staffing, resources, and capacity planning to meet business demands Drive improvements in workflow efficiency, throughput, turnaround times, and overall operational performance Ensure effective utilization of personnel, equipment, and laboratory resources Support implementation of new technologies, testing capabilities, and process improvements Partner with technical leaders to ensure operational excellence across all testing disciplines Leadership & Talent Development Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing leadership team Build a culture centered on accountability, engagement, teamwork, and customer focus Drive succession planning and leadership development initiatives Promote employee safety, professional growth, and continuous learning Establish performance expectations and foster a results-oriented environment Lead organizational change initiatives and support business transformation efforts Qualifications Education Bachelor's degree in Science, Business, Operations Management, or related field required MBA or advanced degree preferred Experience 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in laboratory operations, food manufacturing, quality, testing services, or related industries Experience as a General Manager, Site Leader, Laboratory Director, Operations Director, or similar senior leadership role Demonstrated P&L ownership and financial management expertise Proven experience leading large, complex operational teams in a regulated environment Experience supporting customer-facing operations and managing client relationships Background in food and beverage testing, food manufacturing, contract laboratory services, quality assurance, or related industries strongly preferred Experience leading multi-functional teams across operations, quality, customer service, and support functions Strong track record of driving operational improvements, employee engagement, and business growth Core Competencies Executive leadership and strategic planning Financial and operational management P&L ownership and business acumen Customer relationship management Continuous improvement and operational excellence Quality and regulatory compliance Change leadership and organizational development Talent development and team building Executive presence and communication skills Cross-functional leadership and stakeholder management #J-18808-Ljbffr Confidential Healthcare and Life Sciences Company