Plant Manager in Toronto

Join a purpose-driven, Canadian-owned company—The exclusive manufacturer and distributor of Castrol branded lubricants in Canada. Step into a high-impact leadership role where innovation, integrity, and people come first. We’re growing fast—and so will you. Join an empowered high-performance team where our greatest asset is our people and ability to move fast.

About Wakefield Canada: Wakefield Canada is the exclusive distributor of Wakefield and Castrol premium lubricants in Canada. A trusted industry leader, we deliver innovative, high-performance solutions across automotive, heavy-duty, and industrial sectors. Our commitment to excellence, customer satisfaction, and a strong performance-driven culture has made Wakefield a top-tier workplace and partner of choice nationwide.

Position Overview: The Plant Manager is responsible for all aspects of the Wakefield manufacturing plant including the performance of the plant in terms of health and safety, expense management, service level and quality. The Plant Manager is a key stakeholder in the relationship between Manufacturing and the Production Planning team, working with the Inventory and Demand Planning Manager to effectively and efficiently strike a balance between conversion cost, inventory carrying cost and service level. Fostering a culture of continuous improvement for the Manufacturing team as well as building bridges to the Demand Planning team and the Distribution Operations team is essential for the Plant Manager's success. Providing ongoing strategic support to the Supply Chain Management team and the VP Supply Chain is a key responsibility for all members of the Supply Chain Management team.

Key Accountabilities:

• Ensuring that HSSE principles and standards are sponsored throughout the entire operation and that clear metrics and objectives are established, communicated, and engrained within the cultural fabric of the organization.
• Managing the execution of all annual objectives related to plant manufacturing.
• Ensure compliance to all regulatory requirements with respect to manufacturing operations.
• Lead development and ensure delivery of departmental operating budgets based on demand forecast, plant capacities, and human resources.
• Conduct industrial and labour relations in a manner consistent with human resource policies (unionized and non-unionized team members).
• Ensure appropriate leadership and management disciplines are in place to foster a collaborative and performance-driven environment.
• Accountable for ongoing development of continuous improvement initiatives within Plant operations and partnering cross-functionally within Wakefield to ensure a continuous focus on customers and balancing potentially competing priorities as aligned with Supply Chain goals.

Key Competencies:

• Broad understanding of many disciplines and business practices.
• Strong leadership demonstration of ability to work with cross-functional groups to solve problems, improve processes and drive continuous improvement.
• Strong working understanding of best practices in operations management in a manufacturing plant, production planning, engineering, HSSE management, manufacturing accounting and industrial relations.
• Strong project management skills including clear understanding and knowledge of project controls, management of change and project selection.
• Good business acumen, understanding financial and non-financial management information, data and key performance indicators.
• Good understanding and demonstration of principles and practices concerning Health, Safety, Security and Environment, and regulatory compliance practices.
• Budget development and target setting for all aspects of the Manufacturing Plant.

Direct Managerial / Supervisory Responsibility:

• Provide direction, coaching and mentoring to your management team.
• Create an environment that encourages personal and career development.
• Responsible for the supervision, evaluation and development of direct management reports and leadership coaching for staff reporting through these positions.
• Strong collaboration, influencing and partnering with all Wakefield Leadership Team with emphasis on partnering with Planning, Distribution, Engineering & Facilities Management teams.

Education / Experience:

• Minimum of 6 years’ experience in Supply Chain Management, covering the following areas: Manufacturing Operations Management, Systems/ERP, Management of Change Leadership, HSSE and Manufacturing Compliance.
• Undergraduate degree in science or engineering preferred, but will consider individuals with extensive related work experience in lieu of a university degree.
• Exposure to different cultures and environments.
• Knowledge of Lubricants, special chemical business, or FMCG (fast moving consumer goods).
• Well-developed skills in problem solving, communications, negotiations, planning and leadership.
• Experience managing a variety of 3rd Party contractors and suppliers, across a significant operation or region, including contract management and legal/regulatory issues within Health Safety Security and Environment area.
• Demonstrated capability to be able to manage areas of budget building, planning & scheduling, production management, quality system, risk management, sales and operations planning.
• Demonstrated experience in business planning, forecast & demand planning, supply & demand balancing, materials & inventory planning, master scheduling, and demand & supply management (inventory management).
• Well-developed skills in problem solving, communication, negotiation, planning and leadership.

Working Conditions: Office & Manufacturing Floor environment.

Why Join Wakefield:

• Work with a recognized leader and trusted brand in the lubricant industry.
• Competitive compensation, bonus, and benefits package.
• Opportunities for professional growth and development.
• Dynamic and collaborative company culture.

Salary Range: $150,000 - $170,000

Note: While this role is currently in Etobicoke, may be moving to Mississauga in future.