General Manager - Personal Care

Location: Illinois

Title: General Manager & VP Operations

Novaris Search is partnered with a fast-growing personal care contract manufacturer that is redefining operational excellence in the industry. This is a rare opportunity to join a business at a pivotal stage of expansion, where your leadership will directly shape the future of the organization.

As General Manager, you will be the driving force behind operational strategy and transformation. Your mission: build a world-class operation that delivers exceptional quality, efficiency, and scalability. This is a high-impact role for a visionary leader who thrives in complex environments and is passionate about continuous improvement.

Why This Role?

• Lead Transformation: Take ownership of operational strategy and implement best-in-class practices to position the company for long-term success.
• Make an Impact: Influence every aspect of operations, from manufacturing and supply chain to quality and compliance, while driving profitability and growth.
• Shape Culture: Inspire and develop a high-performing team, fostering collaboration and accountability across the organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and execute operational strategies that align with business objectives and fuel growth.
• Oversee manufacturing, supply chain, logistics, and quality functions to ensure seamless operations.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives using Lean and Six Sigma methodologies.
• Manage budgets and P&L performance, making data-driven decisions to optimize efficiency and profitability.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory standards (FDA, cGMP, ISO) and mitigate operational risks proactively.
• Collaborate with senior leadership and key stakeholders to deliver on strategic priorities.

Candidate Profile

• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in operations within manufacturing, ideally personal care or OTC products.
• Proven success managing large-scale operations with significant P&L responsibility.
• Expertise in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and process optimization.
• Strong understanding of FDA-regulated environments and ISO standards.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and negotiation skills.
• Experience managing large teams (400+ employees) in high-output production settings.
• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, business, operations or related field (Master’s preferred).

For further inquiries or additional information, feel free to contact me directly at ben.symonds@novarissearch.com