Our client, a leader in the production and export of high value food products, is searching for a Director of Operations. Reporting to the General Manager/President, the Director of Operations will have total responsibility and accountability for all operational aspects of the organization including manufacturing, maintenance and engineering, procurement, and logistics. Through leadership and a culture of continuous improvement, the Director of Operations will lead the operational strategic direction and execution of uninterrupted product supply to our customers while balancing value, supporting innovation and meeting group compliance requirements. This position will require instituting culture change by empowering employees and enhancing their skills and capabilities. This is an on-site position, based in Montreal, with some travel to manufacturing plants in Canada. RESPONSIBILITIES:Improve business and operations related issues with emphasis on designing strategies and procedures for increased efficiency and throughput while maintaining quality levels.Planning, directing, and coordinating activities to optimize productivity, performance, product quality, facility and people utilization, inventory management and operating expenses.Monitoring and remediation of inefficient manufacturing performance due to less than optimal labor scheduling, raw material waste and other negative factors using appropriate manufacturing tools and methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma, SPC, Process Capabilities, etc.).Creating an empowerment environment through leadership, coaching and communication, and ensuring that the operations and materials organization and its people understand the goals and objectives of the business, and that they have the resources and management support to accomplish them.Partner with General Manager/President, Product Development, Sales and Marketing and Finance in evaluating and introducing new products to include ensuring those new products are manufactured on time, on budget and at a quality level acceptable to our customers.Working with key raw material suppliers to establish more cost effective materials positions and collaborating with key global suppliers of purchased finished goods to ensure the most cost effective acquisition costs. Also, maintaining a continued focus on the forecasting and planning functions to drive economical inventory levels to support customer service.Ensuring a safe work environment and making certain that the employees understand that the Company cares about them and are concerned about their personal growth and development. Regulatory Requirements/ Quality Assurance:Ensure compliance with all food regulatory requirements.Ensure food safety and GMP's are adhered to at all sites.Sustain HACCP and SQF certifications and drive continuous improvement to achieve BRC certification.Improve third party audit results on an ongoing basis.Ensure all shipped product meets internal customer specifications.Ensure all customer complaints are thoroughly investigated and any corrective action is taken when necessary to ensure process flaws are corrected.Ensure all handler-loading requirements are complied with. Customer Requirements:Ensure our product specifications meet customer requirements.Pass all customer quality audits and certification requirements.Work with Product Development to achieve value through innovation. Financial Control/Asset Utilization:Operate and present management cost report updates of manufacturing and logistics plan versus forecasts and budget variance reports.Develop and maintain a 3-year strategic plan including cost reduction and capex requirements.Develop, maintain, and monitor performance KPI's through various operational reports.Maximize assets utilization through best in class working capital practices and inventory controls.Leverage group purchasing support to obtain best possible costs/terms.Drive major projects on time and within budget delivering paybacks as anticipated.Develop, maintain, and monitor best practices for logistics.Drive supply value creation programs through an integrated supply chain management solution system. Environmental Health & Safety:Develop and improve comprehensive standard health and safety reporting.Cultivate health and safety culture at all sites at all levels to achieve less recordable injuries.Develop and maintain environmental and safety teams at all sites.Ensure emergency response plans are current at all times.Ensure regulatory compliance is maintained at all sites.Maintain environmental risk assessment. Leadership:Establish supply priorities and execute key initiatives through good communication.Supervise production, quality assurance and maintenance departmentsDeliver high standards of presentation and leadership across operations and logistics to support realization of demonstrable corporate goals.Demonstrate innovation in practice to deliver high value.Operate to "best practices" in cross discipline project leadership.Drive the strategic supply planning process for the company to support three-year plans. Human Resource Management:Ensure management functions are completed including recruiting, performance evaluations, conducting staff meetings and taking corrective action as necessary.Provide leadership for employees through effective communication, coaching, training, and development.Ensure succession plans are completed and development programs are in place for key managers.Consult with Human Resources as appropriate on labor and training and development issues.Comply with HR policies and procedures.Comply with relevant employment laws. DESIRED PROFILE:A Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering (Chemical or Mechanical) or similar. Master’s degree in business administration is preferred.Five to ten years of senior manufacturing management experience in a food-manufacturing environment.Fluent in English and French.Familiarity with Literacy with integrated business systems.Completed assignment(s) as a Plant Manager in a food manufacturing environment.Must be able to travel. Travel is primarily to plant sites.Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal relations skills.Strong PC, word processing and spreadsheet skills. Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.Strategic planning experience.Interested in this Opportunity? Submit an Application Package by clicking on APPLY TO THIS POSITION.