About the Role

We are seeking an inspiring and enterprise-minded Business Leader, ELIXIR Strings to lead the business through its next chapter of growth and transformation. This is a true general management role, with full P&L accountability and leadership responsibility across R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, Sales, Marketing, IT, HR, and Product Specialists globally.  This role carries full responsibility not only for business performance, but also for the systems, talent, culture, and infrastructure required to sustain ELIXIR Strings’ success over the long term.

The Business Leader will steward the core ELIXIR Strings business while leading a portfolio transition toward new products and new go-to-market models. This associate will lead growth by building a deep, evolving understanding of consumers and markets, and by translating those insights into differentiated products, compelling value propositions, and effective go-to-market execution.  Equally important, this leader will play a central role in bringing the organization together as one cohesive business, fostering trust, alignment, and shared purpose.

We are looking for a leader who is curious, open, and an exceptional listener—someone who does not arrive with predetermined answers, but instead seeks to understand root causes by engaging deeply with customers and associates. Musical instrument industry experience is not required; the ability to learn quickly, challenge assumptions, and build strong teams is essential.

This role is based at our Appleton East plant in Elkton, Maryland. A hybrid working arrangement (one day per week remote) is possible.

Pay and Benefits:

• $200,000 - $250,000 per year
• Roles above $150k are eligible for the variable pay program each fiscal year, based on defined business performance metrics.
• Factors considered in extending an offer within this pay range include (but not limited to) education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Medical, Dental and Vision benefits effective on Day 1 of employment! We offer a comprehensive total rewards package, including competitive benefits. More details are available at www.gore.com/careers/benefits

Responsibilities

• Serve as the overall Business Leader of ELIXIR Strings, with full accountability for business strategy, P&L performance, and culture.
• Own the ELIXIR Strings Strategic Plan and lead disciplined deployment through clear priorities, an execution cadence, and measurable outcomes.
• Serve as the primary allocator of capital, talent, and leadership attention across the business; make investment decisions across COGS, SG&A, and capital expenditures aligned to long-term value creation.
• Diagnose and address root causes of business performance through direct engagement with customers, partners, and Associates, using deep listening and fact-based inquiry.
• Own the growth agenda, ensuring strategies are grounded in a shared understanding of consumer value, long-term brand strength, and competitive advantage.
• Define and evolve the product and technology portfolio, including new product development, ensuring alignment with customer value and manufacturing scalability.
• Set clear expectations for how consumer and market understanding informs business-level decisions, including portfolio strategy, pricing architecture, and go-to-market direction; ensure alignment across Sales, Marketing, R&D, Operations, and Supply Chain on growth priorities and consumer outcomes.
• Hold the leadership team accountable for translating growth priorities and consumer value into measurable revenue, margin, profitability, and cash performance; balance near-term commitments with longer-term, high-risk/high-reward innovation opportunities.
• Own associate engagement, talent development, and organizational effectiveness (partnering with HR); build and coach an inclusive team, ensure strong succession, and be visibly present (“gemba leadership”).
• Lead execution and continuous improvement through the Gore Business System (KPIs, problem solving, kaizen, strategy deployment); represent ELIXIR Strings externally and across the Gore Enterprise.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, science, business, or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years experience leading a business, or major business unit with full P&L responsibility.
• Demonstrated success leading large, cross-functional, and global teams.
• Proven ability to influence and align leaders of leaders across functions and geographies.
• Strong financial acumen, including portfolio management and investment decision-making.
• Track record of leading organizational change through influence, listening, and engagement.
• Experience building external partnerships and managing complex commercial relationships.
• Willingness to travel up to 30%.

Desired Qualifications

• MBA or equivalent advanced degree.
• Demonstrated passion for building teams and developing leaders.
• Demonstrated experience driving growth through consumer or customer insight, whether in B2C, B2B, or hybrid business models with a strong preference for experiencing leading a consumer-facing brand.
• Experience building organizations that effectively listen to customers and translate insights into action.
• Familiarity with eCommerce and omnichannel strategies (DTC, distributors, marketplaces).
• Experience driving growth in emerging or international markets.
• Experience leading continuous improvement and operational excellence initiatives.

This position offers a hybrid work arrangement in the country from which the Associate is employed. Eligibility is dependent on the responsibilities of the role and business needs, and the Associate must agree to comply with Gore’s work arrangement policies.