Operations Manager – Industrial Automation in Toronto

IN DEMAND Recruitment & Consulting Inc. is confidentially seeking an Operations Manager for our client in North GTA/York Region, ON.

The Opportunity

Our client is an established specialty automation equipment manufacturer serving industrial customers across North America. They are seeking an Operations Manager to lead purchasing and day-to-day production, strengthen operating processes, and improve delivery performance.

• Permanent | Full Time | On Site
• Typical Business Hours – Occasional evenings/weekends as required.
• Minimal Travel – most within the GTA area. Very occasional overnight travel.
• Comprehensive employer paid benefits package.

Who We’re Looking For

You are a hands‑on manufacturing leader who brings structure to a busy operation. You combine practical production knowledge with sound purchasing judgment, communicate clearly, and help teams turn improvement ideas into consistent results.

Why This Role?

Make a visible impact in a growing business where you can influence the full operation. Work closely with an experienced Director of Operations, gain exposure to senior leadership, and develop your capabilities as the company scales.

What You Will Do

The Operations Manager will oversee purchasing and production execution within a manufacturing operation of approximately 30 employees. Working closely with the Director of Operations, you will align materials, people, and production schedules to meet customer commitments safely, efficiently, and consistently. This role combines shop‑floor leadership with planning, supplier management, and continuous improvement. Your focus will be building practical processes that support reliable delivery, cost control, and sustainable growth.

• Lead production execution: Manage daily and weekly production schedules, coordinate resources, and resolve bottlenecks while maintaining safety, quality, and delivery standards.
• Own purchasing: Manage supplier relationships, negotiate pricing and lead times, and ensure materials are available to support production.
• Control inventory: Balance material availability with inventory investment, reducing shortages, excess stock, and unnecessary costs.
• Strengthen operating processes: Implement practical lean tools, including 5S, visual management, standard work, and root‑cause problem solving.
• Develop the team: Coach purchasing and production employees, set clear expectations, and reinforce accountability and continuous improvement.
• Coordinate across functions: Partner with sales, engineering, and finance to align production capacity and purchasing decisions with customer requirements and business priorities.
• Measure performance: Track and report key measures, including on‑time delivery, inventory turns, purchase price variance, and safety performance.
• Deliver improvements: Lead focused initiatives that reduce waste, improve productivity, shorten lead times, and control costs.

Qualifications

• 5–8 years of progressive experience in manufacturing operations, production, and/or purchasing, including demonstrated team leadership.
• Experience within equipment, industrial, or capital‑goods manufacturing.
• Practical knowledge of production scheduling, material availability, and shop‑floor execution.
• Experience managing suppliers, negotiating purchasing terms, and making decisions that affect cost and profitability.
• Demonstrated application of lean or continuous‑improvement methods in a manufacturing environment.
• Ability to simplify processes, establish priorities, and follow through on improvements.
• Strong communication, problem‑solving, and decision‑making skills, including sound judgment on when to elevate issues.
• A collaborative leadership style and comfort working both on the shop floor and with the leadership team.
• Post‑secondary education in operations, supply chain, engineering, or business.
• APICS/CPIM, SCMP, or Lean Six Sigma certification is an asset.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in Canada for any employer, without the need for sponsorship now or in the future.

We thank all candidates for applying, only those applicants moving forward in the recruitment process will be contacted.

Our client is committed to ensuring accessibility for persons with disabilities by identifying, removing and preventing barriers to promote the rights of all persons and to build and create an inclusive and accessible working environment, in accordance with the provisions of the Ontario Human Rights Code (the “Code”) and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (the “AODA”).

Disclosure of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Use

IN DEMAND Recruitment & Consulting Inc. may use artificial intelligence (AI)–enabled tools to support certain aspects of our recruitment process, including the screening and assessment of applications. These tools are used to assist with organizing, reviewing, and evaluating candidate information and do not replace human judgment or decision-making.