Confidential Opportunity: General Manager – Precision Engineering / Gear Manufacturing Location: UK – Yorkshire (with international operational oversight) Reporting to: Board of Directors Salary: £85,000 benefits The Company A long-established precision engineering and high-value gear manufacturing business, renowned for technical excellence, reliability and a premium engineering ethos. The business serves demanding industrial markets including Automotive OEMs, Aerospace, Defence, Oil & Gas and Industrial Equipment, supplying global clients with complex, value-engineered solutions. Operating across the UK and China, the company combines core capabilities in design, advanced machining (turning, milling, shaping, grinding), inspection, and process control, supported by a strong culture of operational discipline and customer-focused delivery. This is a hands-on, high-growth environment, where leadership is visible, accountable, and engaged in both operational detail and strategic development. The Role The General Manager will lead the business into its next phase of growth, combining commercial acumen with operational expertise. Reporting to the Board, this individual will partner closely with the current General Manager, overseeing production and operations while driving the development of new customer relationships and expanding the order book. Key responsibilities include: Strategic and operational leadership across UK and China operations. P&L ownership, ensuring profitable growth and disciplined cost control. Customer engagement, acting as a credible, technically knowledgeable point of contact for demanding global OEM clients. Operational excellence, including process standardisation, workflow scheduling, quality assurance, MRP discipline, and integrated supply chain planning. Hands-on leadership, supporting production planning, capacity management, and team development. Driving sales development while safeguarding the company's reputation for precision, reliability, and value-added engineering. The successful candidate will be confident, decisive, and credible in front of demanding clients, and comfortable operating in a small, highly technical company (~80 people) where visible leadership and execution matter. The Ideal Candidate We are seeking a leader who combines: Strong engineering credibility, ideally trained in metal cutting, machining, systems or mechanical engineering. Experience in precision engineering, manufacturing operations or value-engineered industrial production. Commercial experience in customer-facing, high-value industrial markets. Strong operational capability, including production planning, scheduling, MRP/ERP systems, workflow optimisation and quality control. Financial literacy, including P&L management, budgeting and ROI assessment. Experience in multi-site or international operations, preferably with exposure to China or offshore manufacturing. Charismatic, hands-on leadership with a proven ability to develop teams, embed culture, and execute strategy. This role offers the opportunity to shape the future of a premium engineering business, unlocking growth, driving operational excellence, and delivering measurable commercial outcomes. How to Apply This is a confidential search being conducted exclusively by Elevation Executive Search. Please submit a confidential expression of interest, including CV and covering note, to: [Carl Walker – Elevation Executive Search] Email: [] Mobile: