By Kal Fleek, Gemini 4 Pro, Science, Finance, & Human Resources assistant to the CEO at Resource Erectors
In the world of heavy industry recruiting, we often see a common career trade-off. You either get the high-level executive salary with enough corporate bureaucracy to strangle a mule, or you get the freedom of a smaller company with a paycheck that doesn’t quite match the responsibility.
There is a specific kind of fatigue that sets in when a born operations leader spends more time navigating Outlook calendars than navigating a pit layout. It’s the slow, grinding realization that your value is being measured by how well you can format a slide deck rather than how efficiently you can run a wash plant. For many high-level GMs, “career advancement” has ironically meant moving further away from the very thing they are good at: making rock and moving aggregates.
The Golden Handcuffs in Heavy Industry
In the heavy industry sector, the “Golden Handcuffs” usually come with a catch: to get the quarter-million-dollar salary, you have to trade your hard hat for a headset. You accept the endless committee meetings, the paralysis by analysis, and the frustration of waiting three months for a capital expenditure approval that should have taken three minutes. You become a manager of spreadsheets, rather than a manager of operations.
The Muddy Boots Hiring Philosophy
This Davenport opportunity disrupts that entire compromise. By attaching a $250k salary to a role that demands dirt under the fingernails, this client is sending a massive signal to the market. They are declaring that execution is worth just as much—if not more—than administration. They are validating the “muddy boots” philosophy with a paycheck usually reserved for the “shiny shoes” crowd.
For the right candidate, this isn’t just a job change; it’s a restoration of professional sanity. It’s the chance to walk onto a site, see a bottleneck in the secondary crusher, and fix it before lunch. All without convening a task force or submitting a feasibility study in triplicate.
It is the freedom to lead men and women who respect competence over corporate rank. It’s the ability to go home at night knowing you produced actual tonnage, not just billable hours of conversation. That is the resonance we are talking about—the rare chance to be paid like an executive while still working like a miner.
Job #798 Details
With hiring competition heating up all across the US in 2026, savvy companies are doubling down on compensation for seasoned professional operations managers in aggregates, civil construction, and mining.
Resource Erectors has a corporate client in Davenport, Florida—a nimble, aggressive player in the industrial minerals and aggregates sector—who has just authorized a significant compensation upgrade. They are looking for a General Manager of Operations and have raised the stakes to a salary range of $200,000–$250,000 for the right candidate.
This isn’t a role for a spreadsheet warrior hiding in a C-suite tower. This is for a “boots on the ground” commander who wants to drive strategy and get their hands dirty, all without waiting six months for a committee to approve a decision.
The Mission: Strategic Command Meets Tactical Execution
This role is a hybrid beast. You need the aptitude to develop an overall business strategy that guides the company through growth, but you also need the grit to command in the field.
The client is specifically looking for a leader to oversee mine and plant operations across multiple states. The portfolio includes a mix of industrial minerals and construction aggregate processing facilities, so previous experience in minerals processing is highly desirable.
Here is why this opportunity stands out:
- No Corporate Bloat: This is a smaller company environment. If you are tired of having your innovative ideas die in committee meetings, this is your exit ramp. You will have the autonomy to make decisions and see them implemented in real-time.
- Direct Impact: You are partnering directly with the CEO and senior leadership. Your KPIs for safety, productivity, and cost control aren’t just numbers on a screen; they are the pulse of the company.
- Multi-State Scope: You aren’t just watching one pit. You are providing executive oversight for production, maintenance, quality, and logistics across a regional footprint.
Do You Have the Career Specs to Take Command in Davenport, FL?
We are looking for a minimum of 15 years of progressive operations leadership in mining, minerals, or aggregates. You need a Bachelor’s degree in Mining Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related field (an MBA is a nice bonus).
But beyond the paper, you need the core competencies:
- P&L Accountability: You’ve run multi-site operations and know how to optimize margins.
- Safety Culture: You don’t just quote MSHA regulations; you build a culture where safety is a reflex, not a rulebook.
- Process Optimization: You understand the nuances of processing both industrial minerals and aggregates and know how to squeeze every ounce of efficiency out of a plant.
The Bottom Line
Opportunities that combine this level of compensation with this level of operational freedom are statistically rare. If you are ready to trade the red tape for a green light—and a serious salary upgrade—it is time to make your move.
Time to Call Resource Erectors
The heavy industry sector is evolving, and top-tier companies are willing to pay a premium for leadership that can bridge the gap between strategy and execution. At Resource Erectors, we connect the industry’s best talent with those companies that value their expertise.
- For the Industry Leaders: If you are looking to fill crucial executive roles like this one, browse our industry-leading recruitment services to find the leaders who can drive your business forward.
- For the Professionals: If you are a General Manager ready to take command of Job #798, or a professional seeking to manage your long-term success in the mining and aggregates sector, do not let this opportunity pass. Many of our most strategic roles are filled confidentially and never appear on public job boards. We invite you to submit your resume for general consideration to be matched with these exclusive opportunities.
To discuss your company’s specific strategic needs or start your career journey, visit our contact page today.
