Material Return General Manager

Job Title: Material Return General Manager

Reports To: Executive Director

Department/Location: Material Return

Job Type: Full-Time Salaried Exempt, On-Site Morganton NC

About The Industrial Commons: The Industrial Commons is an economic ecosystem located in Morganton, NC, that founds and grows interconnected enterprises that solve problems for businesses and workers and manufactures hope for the people of Southern Appalachia. Our mission is to rebuild a diverse working class based on locally rooted wealth. We address root causes of generational poverty by supporting frontline workers to build an economy for all through our four fields of Workforce Development, Community Engagement, Business Development, and Network Development. TIC is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

About Material Return: Material Return is building a circular textile economy by transforming textile waste into high-quality recycled yarns. Based in Morganton, NC, we are creating innovative manufacturing solutions that reduce waste, strengthen domestic supply chains, and advance sustainable textile production in the United States.

Job Overview: 

The General Manager is responsible for leading all manufacturing and operational functions for Material Return's growing circular yarn production facility. This role provides strategic and operational leadership across production, quality, maintenance, supply chain, workforce development, financial performance, and customer fulfillment to ensure safe, efficient, and scalable manufacturing operations.  As a member of the leadership team, the General Manager will establish operational systems, optimize manufacturing processes, lead the integration of new equipment and technologies, and develop a high-performing team capable of supporting long-term business growth. The ideal candidate is a collaborative, hands-on manufacturing leader with experience building operational excellence within a dynamic, fast-growing environment.

Essential Functions

• Lead all day-to-day manufacturing operations to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable production while meeting quality, cost, and delivery objectives.
• Recruit, coach, and develop a high-performing operations and production team while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous learning, problem-solving, and employee engagement.
• Develop and implement operational strategies, systems, standard operating procedures, and key performance indicators that support organizational growth and continuous improvement.
• Oversee production planning, scheduling, inventory management, maintenance, quality assurance, and customer order fulfillment.
• Monitor operational performance and identify opportunities to improve productivity, equipment utilization, throughput, and manufacturing efficiency.
• Lead the installation, commissioning, and optimization of new manufacturing equipment and production technologies.
• Collaborate with engineering, technical partners, and equipment suppliers to improve manufacturing processes and product quality.
• Develop and maintain preventive maintenance programs that maximize equipment reliability and minimize downtime.
• Establish performance expectations and provide ongoing leadership, coaching, and professional development for supervisors and staff.
• Manage departmental budgets, operating expenses, capital projects, and resource allocation to support organizational objectives.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with customers, suppliers, and strategic partners to ensure operational excellence and customer satisfaction.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable OSHA, environmental, and regulatory requirements while promoting a culture of workplace safety.
• Partner with executive leadership to develop operational strategies that support business growth, manufacturing capacity, and long-term organizational success.
• Advance Material Return's mission by implementing manufacturing practices that support sustainability and the circular textile economy.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, Business Administration, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Seven (7) or more years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience, including responsibility for plant operations, production management, or manufacturing operations.
• Demonstrated success leading manufacturing teams and improving operational performance through process optimization and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Experience managing production planning, quality systems, inventory control, maintenance, budgeting, and workforce development.
• Experience leading equipment installation, process implementation, and manufacturing scale-up initiatives.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience within textiles, fiber processing, yarn manufacturing, recycling, or other industrial manufacturing environments preferred.
• Strong financial and business acumen with experience managing operational budgets and key performance metrics.
• Excellent leadership, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to build cross-departmental relationships while effectively managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated commitment to workplace safety, operational excellence, and sustainable manufacturing practices.
• Perform other related duties as assigned to support organizational priorities.

Physical Demands and Work Environment: 

• Ability to remain stationary for extended periods.
• Ability to move throughout the office, meeting, warehouse, and work environments to access equipment, materials, and communicate with others.
• Ability to occasionally lift and move materials weighing up to 40 pounds.
• Ability to travel locally and regionally as needed to support business operations.
• Ability to perceive, process, and communicate information presented in written, verbal, and electronic formats in English.
• Ability to operate or work safely around powered industrial equipment and moving machinery, when required by the position.
• Able to wear a required NIOSH-approved respirator. The selected candidate must complete the employer's required medical clearance process, including pulmonary function testing, before beginning work 
• Work is performed in both office and warehouse/manufacturing environments.
• Regular exposure to warehouse conditions, including varying temperatures, elevated noise levels, moving equipment, dust, and airborne cotton fibers.

Salary and Benefits

• Salary: Competitive, with an anticipated range of starting between $90,000-$110,000

based on experience.

• Benefits: Health, dental, and vision insurance, paid time off, and holidays.

Salary is commensurate on experience. To apply, please send a resume and 3 professional references to HR@theindustrialcommons.org with the subject line “Material Return General Manager”