Business Unit Manager

At a glance

Location: Budd Lake, NJ

Employment type: Full-Time

Work type: On-Site

Industry: Manufacturing

Compensation: $160,000 – $190,000

Status: open.

About the role

PeopleSource Solutions is proud to present an on-site, full-time Business Unit Manager opportunity in the aerospace and defense manufacturing sector based in Budd Lake, NJ. You will hold full profit-and-loss ownership and overall operational leadership of the business unit, with direct accountability for financial performance, pricing strategy, cost management, and long-term value creation. This role operates within a decentralized operating model and value-based culture, requiring a high degree of autonomy, analytical rigor, and data-driven decision-making. The ideal candidate brings broad business knowledge across sales, engineering, finance, and operations and is passionate about driving measurable results in a mission-critical environment.

Key responsibilities

You will lead cross-functional teams spanning operations, engineering, supply chain, quality, sales, and finance to achieve aggressive performance targets. You will set and execute pricing strategies, drive productivity and margin improvement initiatives, and develop proposals for new and repeat business that fulfill technical requirements including gross margin, terms, conditions, and proposal guidelines. You will manage and develop customer relationships at both existing accounts and new opportunity accounts, serve as the liaison between the customer, engineering, manufacturing, and quality functions, and lead or participate in contract negotiations with responsibility for customer correspondence. You will also ensure performance requirements across technical, schedule, and budget dimensions are met, keep leadership informed through analysis and reporting, and actively contribute to talent development, succession planning, and cultural stewardship.

Required skills

You must bring working knowledge and experience in Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), and Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and SharePoint is required. You must demonstrate excellent analytical and organizational skills, proven ability to interpret and resolve complex contract terms and conditions in the commercial and defense aerospace industry, and the capacity to manage multiple competing priorities under high-volume deadlines. Broad business knowledge across sales, engineering, finance, and operations is essential, as is a proven track record of critical thinking, sound business judgment, and driving real value creation.

Experience required

6-8 years in aerospace and defense industry with progressive leadership experience in program or product line management. Proven ability to navigate complex contract terms, manage multiple priorities, and drive results under high-volume deadlines.

Preferred qualifications

A bachelor's degree is required, and 6 to 8 years of experience in the aerospace and defense industry is preferred. Leadership experience with increasing responsibilities in program or product line management is strongly preferred. The ideal candidate is a proven negotiator who can navigate challenging customer situations while performing under pressure and managing multiple tasks simultaneously.

Compensation and benefits

PeopleSource Solutions places candidates with industry-leading manufacturers who understand that top talent requires competitive compensation and benefits. Companies we partner with typically offer comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, 401k plans with employer matching, paid time off, and professional development support. This particular opportunity includes a strong base salary reflective of the role's scope and strategic impact.

About the location

Budd Lake, NJ is a community in Morris County offering a blend of suburban comfort and convenient access to major metropolitan corridors. The area provides straightforward commutes from surrounding towns throughout northern and central New Jersey. Employees enjoy a quieter pace of life outside the office while remaining well-connected to the broader tri-state region.

Career opportunities

This role positions you at the strategic center of a high-impact business unit within an advanced aerospace and defense technology company. Your direct ownership of P&L, cross-functional leadership, and customer-facing accountability create a clear pathway toward broader divisional or executive leadership. Candidates who demonstrate results in this role are well-positioned for continued advancement within manufacturing and defense sector organizations.

How to apply

Apply through https://www.peoplesource.org/job-board/business-unit-manager-aerospace-operations, or contact PeopleSource Solutions on 678-428-2789 or chris@peoplesource.org.