Interim General Manager – Turnaround
Duration: 12 months
About xNorth
xNorth™ deploys high-impact executives and senior leaders to support organizations through critical periods of transformation, growth, and crisis.
Across North America, we bring in hands-on leaders with proven operational experience to deliver immediate impact and drive results where it matters most.
Role Overview
We are seeking an experienced Interim General Manager to lead a complex, multi-department operational site in a turnaround context. This role requires a proven leader capable of stabilizing performance, driving operational discipline, and delivering rapid, measurable improvements across the organization.
Operating in a high-volume, labor-intensive environment, the General Manager will oversee end-to-end operations, ensure performance against financial and operational targets, and lead transformation initiatives to restore efficiency, quality, and profitability.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage full site operations across multiple departments in a complex operating environment
- Drive turnaround initiatives focused on operational efficiency, cost control, and performance improvement
- Ensure delivery against key business objectives, including profitability, labor optimization, and service levels
- Oversee daily operations to ensure consistent execution, quality standards, and on-time delivery
- Implement and reinforce performance management frameworks, KPIs, and reporting structures
- Optimize workforce productivity and support labor relations in a unionized environment where applicable
- Ensure compliance with all regulatory, safety, and quality standards at the highest level
- Strengthen operational processes, workflows, and continuous improvement initiatives (Lean / OPEX)
- Lead and develop management teams across functions, ensuring alignment and accountability
- Maintain strong stakeholder communication, both internally and with key external partners
- Support audits, compliance reviews, and operational risk management initiatives
- Drive change management and ensure execution of transformation plans on the ground
Qualifications
- Minimum 10 years of experience in a General Manager, Site Leader, or equivalent executive role
- Proven track record leading turnaround, restructuring, or performance improvement initiatives
- Strong background in high-volume, operationally intensive environments
- Deep expertise in cost control, labor management, and operational optimization
- Experience managing large teams across multiple functions
- Ability to operate hands-on in complex, fast-paced, and high-pressure environments
- Strong leadership and stakeholder management skills
- Experience in unionized environments is mandatory
- Lean / continuous improvement experience is mandatory
Why Join xNorth
- Work alongside experienced operators who understand transformation from the inside
- Access a strong network of clients across North America
- Engage in high-impact assignments with immediate visibility and results
- Flexible engagement model aligned with interim leadership
- Opportunity to drive tangible operational and financial transformation
