Director of Operations – Montreal

The Operations Manager – Montreal is responsible for the leadership and performance of the site's operations, including manufacturing, production planning, shipping and receiving, warehouse, inventory, maintenance, sanitation, and continuous improvement. The position is accountable for safety, quality, service, productivity, cost, and operational efficiency while supporting business growth.

Initially, the Operations Manager will work closely with the General Manager and all related departments to establish priorities and strengthen performance to meet or exceed annual objectives. The role is expected to assume ownership of day-to-day operations and operational results.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead daily operations and ensure safe, efficient, and reliable execution of the production plan, with the goal to improve efficiencies and lower associated costs.
• Oversee production planning, scheduling, labor utilization, capacity, warehouse, shipping, receiving, inventory, maintenance, and sanitation.
• Establish and monitor operational KPIs covering safety, quality, service, productivity, labor, waste, inventory, and cost.
• Identify operational issues, lead root cause analysis, implement corrective actions, and ensure sustainable results.
• Optimize the use of people, equipment, materials, and resources to meet customer requirements and support growth.
• Ensure compliance with GMP, HACCP, FSSC 22000, food safety, safety, regulatory, and company requirements, in partnership with Quality Assurance.
• Ensure preventive maintenance, equipment reliability, facility standards, and contractor activities are effectively managed.
• Lead Lean and continuous improvement initiatives focused on productivity, efficiency, quality, safety, and cost reduction.
• Support capacity planning, capital projects, equipment investments, and operational expansion initiatives.
• Manage operational spending and contribute to annual budgets and capital plans.
• Work closely with Customer Service, Transport and Invoicing, R&D, Regulatory, Quality, Finance, and Human Resources to achieve business objectives.
• Lead, coach, and develop operational employees, establishing clear expectations, accountability, and performance standards.
• Build a strong and autonomous operational leadership team through effective training, cross-training, development, and succession planning.
• Make timely operational decisions within established authority and escalate significant business, financial, or strategic matters when appropriate.
• Provide clear communication on operational performance, priorities, risks, and resource requirements.
• Serve as the operational leader in the absence of the General Manager, within delegated authority.
• Maintain a visible leadership presence throughout the facility and ensure compliance with applicable occupational health and safety requirements.
• Develop annual operating plans and measurable performance targets aligned with company objectives.
• Review operational performance regularly with the General Manager and communicate corrective actions, resource requirements, and progress toward established objectives.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Directly and indirectly supervises production, warehouse, inventory, maintenance, sanitation, and related operational personnel.
• Responsible for hiring, training, coaching, performance management, employee development, succession planning, staffing recommendations, and operational accountability.
• Partner with Human Resources on workforce planning, recruitment, employee relations, attendance, performance management, disciplinary matters, and training.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Operations, Manufacturing, Engineering, Business, or related field preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• 5–8 years of progressive manufacturing experience, including at least 2–3 years in a supervisory or leadership role.
• Experience leading multiple operational functions beyond production.
• Food manufacturing, flavors, ingredients, beverage, or related industry experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing operations, production planning, and operational performance management.
• Knowledge of GMP, HACCP, food safety, and quality systems.
• Demonstrated experience with Lean Manufacturing or continuous improvement.
• Strong leadership, communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Experience with budgets, operational costs, ERP/MRP and production planning systems.
• Experience with NetSuite is preferred.
• Bilingual English and French preferred.
• Experience with operating and planning software such as NetSuite or equivalent.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to frequently stand and walk throughout manufacturing, warehouse, and office areas.
• Ability to frequently bend, stoop, climb stairs, and perform facility inspections as necessary.
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 20 kg / 44 lb with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to operate a forklift and other material handling equipment when properly trained and authorized.
• Ability to work in manufacturing and warehouse environments with exposure to moving machinery, elevated noise levels, dust, food ingredients, temperature variations, and cleaning chemicals.
• Ability to wear required PPE and respond to emergencies when necessary.
• Must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.