General Manager
BrainWorks
Aurora, IL · Posted November 2, 2026
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Where Aurora, IL ranks
Where Aurora, IL placed in our monthly rankings, month by month. Each month stays online at its own address.
November 2026
- #8Best cities for director and executive jobs in the Great Lakes24% · of 53
- #9Best cities for junior jobs in Illinois29% · of 17
- #9Best cities for director and executive jobs in the Midwest24% · of 69
- #15Cities where the biggest share of jobs do not need a four-year degree in the Great Lakes17% · of 39
- #17Cities with the most jobs that need no experience in the Great Lakes0.8% · of 50
- #21Cities where the biggest share of jobs do not need a four-year degree in the Midwest17% · of 54
Rankings about operations jobs
- Best cities for operations jobs #1 New York (1,429 openings)
- Best cities for operations pay after cost of living #1 Reston ($177k)
- Most requested AI skills in operations jobs #1 AI tools in daily work (2.5%)
- AI tools named most often in operations jobs #1 Claude (0.28%)
- Employers with the most operations jobs #1 Amazon (1,480 roles)
Pay compared with the market
This listing does not state pay. Across 61 open general manager listings that state pay, the middle half runs $79,500 to $175,000 and the median is $107,500.
Listed pay is what employers advertise, not what people are paid.
How AI is used in this kind of work
Among general and operations managers, AI is already used for some of the tasks. Measured exposure for general and operations managers: 14% (some).
Share of this job’s tasks that AI is already used for at work, from real usage. It is not a forecast of job loss, and a low number means no use seen yet. Source: Anthropic Economic Index.
Skills this job asks for
Say which you have and which you want to build. We use it to match you to jobs like this one.
About the job
BrainWorks Search is exclusively partnered with an established manufacturer in Ottawa, IL for their newly created General Manager vacancy. The General Manager will lead day-to-day operations and guide the company’s next phase of growth. This is a hands-on leadership opportunity with broad responsibility for overall business performance, including operations, financial results, people, quality, safety, and customer relationships. The General Manager will have significant autonomy to identify opportunities for improvement, drive profitability, and establish the strategic direction of the business.
Key Responsibilities:
Oversee overall business operations and financial performance, including P&L responsibility.
Develop and execute strategic plans to support growth and profitability.
Lead manufacturing, production, quality, and sales functions.
Improve operational efficiency, productivity, capacity, and workflow.
Drive continuous improvement across quality, safety, delivery, and cost.
Strengthen customer relationships and support business development and quoting.
Establish accountability, performance metrics, and employee development initiatives.
Qualifications:
CNC Machining experience required
Proven leadership experience within a manufacturing environment.
Strong mechanical aptitude and business acumen, including P&L management.
Familiarity with ISO quality systems, safety, and continuous improvement.
Why Consider This Opportunity:
Opportunity to lead the next chapter of an established manufacturing business.
Significant autonomy and influence over business strategy and operations.
Established customer base and strong market reputation.
Compensation:
$155k-$180k base salary + bonus incentives
Competitive car allowance
Recognized as a Top 50 Hunt Scanlon executive search firm, BrainWorks has over 30 years of expertise in sourcing and placing top Human Resources talent that drives business performance. Leveraging our proven process, deep industry expertise, and an extensive candidate network, we connect top businesses with HR professionals who deliver exceptional results.
Our Human Resources Practice specializes in placing senior-level leaders in areas such as talent acquisition, total rewards, learning and development, DEI, and organizational strategy. Whether you’re a Fortune 500 company or a growing organization, our tailored search services are designed to meet your unique hiring needs.
When you partner with BrainWorks, you gain access to consultants who are passionate, knowledgeable, and committed to providing quality, speed, and results. Visit us at brainworksinc.com
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Industry 1: Utilities
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Job ID: 63925524328
Category: Human Resources
Location: Aurora IL