Operations Leader

Provide operational and strategic decision making to support the Site Leader.

Develop and drive a strong health & safety and food safety culture, and own KPI performance for the area.

Be accountable for production costs, labour utilization, yields, operating results and cost improvements in the department.

Prepare and execute the operational overhead budget and direct product cost targets.

Drive operational excellence, including Six Sigma, to reduce operating costs and minimize waste.

Review and support the implementation of capital improvements within the area.

Meet or exceed customer service level targets by synchronizing processes and activities across all functions, from demand planning through delivery to the customer.

Optimize and ensure execution of weekly and monthly production schedules.

Support Marketing/Sales and Product Development on new and existing product initiatives and customer inquiries.

Ensure adherence to the Company’s food safety requirements and Good Manufacturing Practices, including BRCGS certification and audit targets, and support continual improvement of the food safety and quality management system.

Maintain compliance with CFIA, provincial labour, environmental and health & safety legislation, Collective Agreements, and other regulatory requirements that impact plant performance.

Build trust with employees and union partners through respect, visible presence on the floor, and timely feedback and grievance resolution.

Set clear expectations and coach teams to own their performance against key metrics tied to the vision.

Develop salaried employees through training, certification and coaching, and provide clear roles and consistent support and feedback to all employees.

Build a cohesive, competent leadership group, with plans for development and succession, and create growth opportunities that prepare others to step into larger roles

Post-secondary education in one of the following disciplines: food science, business, engineering, or operations management.

A minimum of 5 years of production experience in the food processing industry.

A minimum of 5 years of demonstrated, progressive management experience in a unionized work environment.

Strong leadership, independent thinking, organizational and planning abilities, with excellent analytical, decision-making and problem-solving skills.

Strong interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.

Ability to work as a team with all functional areas toward a common goal.

Proven record of leading operational excellence initiatives and delivering bottom-line results.

Customer-focused mindset, with a commitment to building a loyal customer base.

Leadership style grounded in listening, coaching and empowering others, with the credibility to hold high standards.

Demonstrated track record of decision making using analytical tools (e.g., SAP, variance reports, downtime analysis, SWOT analysis, Six Sigma metrics).

We are carbon neutral.

We are one of the only food companies in Canada to set science-based targets.

Doing What’s Right

Shared Value

High Performance

Diverse and Inclusive Teams

Disciplined Decision Making

Our Accountability

Intense Curiosity

Transparency and Humility

We thank all applicants for their interest in exploring employment opportunities with Maple Leaf Foods; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Applicants may be subject to a background check and must meet the security criteria designated for the position. Championing diversity and inclusion is a critical component to advancing our collective purpose and vision, living the Maple Leaf Leadership Values, and delivering winning results. Accommodation is available upon request for applicants with disabilities in the recruitment and assessment process and when hired; please contact our Talent Attraction Team at [email protected] . Disclaimer: Please note that salaries posted on sites other than the MLF Careers Page are not a reflection of Maple Leaf Foods and are an estimated salary range provided by that particular job board. Maple Leaf Foods offers competitive wages and an attractive total rewards package, which will be discussed during an interview with our Talent Team.

#LI-AD1