Production Manager

Belleville, ON (Relocation Assistance Available) Full-Time | Permanent Competitive Compensation + Bonus + RRSP Matching + Comprehensive Benefits

We're partnering confidentially with a leading Canadian food manufacturer seeking an experienced Production Manager to lead operations at a highly automated, highly regulated manufacturing facility. This is an exceptional opportunity for a proven manufacturing leader who thrives in fast-paced production environments and enjoys developing people, improving processes, and driving operational excellence.

You'll oversee day-to-day production while working closely with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Maintenance, and R&D to deliver world-class safety, quality, and performance. If you're looking for a role where your leadership will directly influence plant performance, operational strategy, and the future growth of a progressive manufacturing organization, we'd like to speak with you.

Why Join?

• Join a financially stable and growing Canadian manufacturer
• Lead production within a modern, highly automated manufacturing facility
• High-visibility leadership role with significant operational ownership
• Work alongside an experienced and collaborative leadership team
• Competitive compensation package including bonus, RRSP matching, and comprehensive benefits
• Tuition reimbursement, professional development, and leadership training
• Relocation assistance available for qualified candidates
• Long-term career growth with a company committed to investing in its people

What You'll Be Doing

Production Leadership

• Lead all day-to-day production operations to achieve safety, quality, delivery, and productivity objectives
• Build, mentor, coach, and develop a high-performing production team
• Foster a culture of accountability, engagement, continuous improvement, and operational excellence
• Develop supervisors and future leaders through coaching and succession planning
• Ensure production targets are achieved while maintaining the highest quality standards

Operational Excellence

• Optimize labour utilization, equipment performance, production scheduling, and material flow
• Monitor operational KPIs and implement initiatives that improve efficiency, throughput, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE)
• Lead Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives across the production department
• Support equipment commissioning, process optimization, automation projects, and operational improvements
• Analyze production data to identify opportunities for increased productivity and reduced operating costs

Food Safety, Quality & Compliance

• Ensure full compliance with GMP, HACCP, CFIA, FDA, and all applicable food safety and regulatory standards
• Partner with Quality Assurance to maintain exceptional food safety and product quality
• Champion a proactive safety culture focused on employee well-being and regulatory compliance
• Ensure all production activities consistently meet customer, quality, and regulatory expectations

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Engineering, Maintenance, Supply Chain, Quality, and R&D to support operational objectives
• Support new product launches and continuous process improvements
• Resolve production challenges through practical problem-solving and collaborative leadership
• Drive communication and alignment across departments to achieve business goals

What We’re Looking For

• Required
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Food Science, Dairy Science, Operations Management, or a related discipline
• 10+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience
• Proven success leading production operations within food, beverage, dairy, pharmaceutical, consumer packaged goods, or other highly regulated manufacturing environments
• Strong knowledge of GMP, HACCP, and food safety regulations
• Demonstrated success driving operational excellence and continuous improvement
• Outstanding leadership, coaching, communication, and decision-making skills
• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to solve complex operational challenges

• Preferred
• Lean Manufacturing and/or Six Sigma experience
• Experience with ERP and MES systems
• Capital project and equipment commissioning experience
• Experience leading multi-shift manufacturing operations

Ideal Backgrounds

We're particularly interested in candidates from:

• Food Manufacturing
• Dairy Processing
• Beverage Manufacturing
• Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG)
• Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
• Nutraceutical Manufacturing
• Life Sciences
• Other highly regulated manufacturing environments

Who Will Thrive Here?

You’ll excel in this role if you:

• Inspire and develop high-performing teams
• Lead by example and enjoy being present on the production floor
• Thrive in fast-paced manufacturing environments
• Balance strategic thinking with hands-on operational leadership
• Are passionate about continuous improvement and operational excellence
• Believe that safety, quality, and people are the foundation of manufacturing success