Vice President / General Manager

Mission-Driven. Honor-Bound. Fairbanks Morse Defense. What’s your calling? For the men and women of Fairbanks Morse Defense it’s the rapid and effective support of the fleets that entrust us to design, develop, and deliver the best naval power technology on the planet. We’re one of the nation’s leading marine defense contractors because of the highly trained and dedicated teams that provide reliable power systems, parts, and aftermarket services to the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, Military Sealift Command, and Canadian Coast Guard. When you join Fairbanks Morse Defense, you join a legacy of commitment that spans 150 years. Fairbanks Morse Defense offers competitive benefits with a wide range of training and development opportunities. Our world-class teams are dedicated to helping every individual achieve their full potential. Discover what it’s like to be a part of the Fairbanks Morse Defense team here: https://www.fairbanksmorsedefense.com/careers


Job Description

Job Title: Vice President & General Manager, Bird-Johnson Propeller Company
Date: 7/30/2026
Reports To: Group President

Job Overview: The Vice President / General Manager is a senior leadership role responsible for overseeing and managing the daily operations of the Bird-Johnson Propeller Company, powered by Fairbanks Morse Defense. The role is located in Walpole, MA with accountability for the Pascagoula, MS site and regionally located field service teams as well. This position will ensure the facility operates efficiently, safely, and profitably, while maintaining the highest standards of quality and compliance. The VP/GM will provide strategic direction, leadership, and vision to the operations and workforce, driving a growth mindset, continuous improvement initiatives and implementing best practices across the organization.

Principle Duties and Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities:
1. Strategic Planning:
◦ Develop and execute the business’s strategic initiatives, aligning them with overall corporate objectives.
◦ Analyze production data and plant performance, providing recommendations for process optimization and efficiency improvements.
◦ Evaluate market trends, technology innovations, and competitor activities to keep the plant competitive and innovative.
◦ Drive installed base and aftermarket growth while maintaining Bird-Johnson’s US Navy market leading propulsion systems position
◦ Develop and pursue rest of world opportunities and strategy
2. Financial Management:
◦ Full P&L ownership for both original equipment and aftermarket
◦ Develop, monitor, and manage the business’s budget, including cost control, forecasting, and resource allocation through a robust EAC process.
◦ Ensure plant profitability by managing costs, improving productivity, and reducing waste.
◦ Implement financial and operational performance reporting systems.
3. Customer and Stakeholder Relations:
◦ Maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including senior management, customers, suppliers, and external partners.
◦ Work closely with the Sales and Marketing teams to align production schedules with customer demands, as well as support to new sales opportunities.
◦ Support Sales team in proposal and pricing preparations for new opportunities, in addition to follow on proposals.
◦ Resolve customer issues related to product quality, delivery timelines, or other concerns in a timely and effective manner.
4. Leadership and Staff Development:
◦ Provide leadership and direction to directors, managers, and employees, ensuring clear goals, accountability, and performance metrics across our team of 250 employees
◦ Foster a high-performance culture by promoting employee engagement, teamwork, and development opportunities.
◦ Oversee the hiring, training, and professional growth of Bird-Johnson personnel to ensure the team is skilled, motivated, and aligned with company goals.
5. Functional Leadership:
◦ Ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental regulations, fostering a culture of safety.
◦ Lead across all departments, including production, engineering, quality, maintenance, supply chain, human resources, and logistics.
◦ Oversee day-to-day operations of the manufacturing plants, ensuring alignment with business goals and objectives.
◦ Drive continuous improvement mindset to meet or exceed production targets, quality standards, and cost controls.
6. Risk Management:
◦ Identify and mitigate potential risks related to production, safety, environmental impact, and business operations.
◦ Establish and maintain effective crisis management protocols to address any unforeseen disruptions.
7. Regulatory Compliance:
◦ Ensure the manufacturing plant complies with all relevant local, state, and federal r