Area Manager Northwestern Ontario Woodlands Operations

Domtar Products; Thunder Bay; On-site; CAD 145,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Annual bonus

Benefits starting day one

Pension plan

Vacation + floating holidays

Employee assistance program

Telemedicine services

Education assistance

Relocation assistance

Safety & inclusion focus

Career advancement opportunities

Job summary

Domtar is seeking a results-driven Area Manager for Northwestern Ontario Woodlands to lead harvesting, road programs, and fibre procurement in Thunder Bay. This role emphasizes safety, people development, and contractor partnerships to ensure a reliable fibre supply for Domtar’s sawmills.

You will shape budgeting, planning, and strategic initiatives while partnering with Indigenous communities and regulators to drive sustainable forestry across Northwestern Ontario.

Qualifications

• Degree or diploma in Forestry, Forest Management, Natural Resources, Business, or a related field.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive forestry, harvesting, woodlands, or natural resource operations experience.
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing field operations, contractors, and professional staff.
• Strong understanding of sustainable forest management principles and regulatory requirements.
• Experience managing budgets, business plans, and operational performance metrics.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
• A commitment to safety, environmental stewardship, and operational excellence.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and operational reporting systems.

Responsibilities

• Champion a culture where safety is a core value and operational excellence begins with safe work practices.
• Provide visible leadership and accountability for employee and contractor safety performance.
• Ensure compliance with all regulatory, environmental, and corporate safety requirements.
• Promote continuous improvement in safety systems and field practices.
• Lead woodlands operations involving timber harvesting, transportation, road construction, and road maintenance activities.
• Ensure a safe, sustainable, and reliable fibre supply for Domtar sawmill operations.
• Monitor operational performance to achieve production, utilization, cost, and inventory targets.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to align fibre supply plans with manufacturing requirements.
• Develop and manage annual operating budgets.
• Monitor costs, productivity metrics, and operational performance.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that improve efficiency and overall business results.
• Support strategic planning and long-range operational forecasting.
• Lead, mentor, coach, and develop a team of forestry professionals.
• Promote a culture of accountability, engagement, and continuous learning.
• Support succession planning and talent development initiatives.
• Foster positive labour and employee relations practices.
• Build strong relationships with forestry contractors and suppliers.
• Collaborate with Indigenous communities, government agencies, municipalities, and industry stakeholders.
• Serve as a key liaison between Ontario Woodlands and Domtar manufacturing operations.
• Promote cooperation, professionalism, and strong communication across all business relationships.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Communication

Relationship building

Negotiation

Analytical

Problem solving

Safety focus

Education

Forestry, Forest Management, Natural Resources or related field

Job description

Domtar is a leading producer of pulp, paper, packaging, tissue and wood products. Through our focus on safety and sustainability, as well as our commitment to operational excellence and our network of facilities across Canada and the United States, Domtar delivers high-quality and cost-effective products to customers around the world.

Our workforce is comprised of 14,000 talented and hardworking individuals. We are proud to offer competitive compensation, a supportive working environment, rewarding career paths and plenty of opportunities for learning and growth.

The location in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada, is seeking talent to fill the position of Area Manager Northwestern Ontario Woodlands Operations. This job is full-time permanent.

Lead Sustainable Forestry, Drive Operational Excellence, Shape the Future

At Domtar, we're proud of our commitment to sustainable forestry, operational excellence, and the communities where we live and work. We are currently seeking an experienced and results-driven Area Manager to join our Northwestern Ontario Woodlands team.

This is a unique leadership opportunity for a forestry professional who is passionate about safety, people development, contractor partnerships, and delivering a reliable fibre supply to support our manufacturing operations across Northwestern Ontario.

Reporting to the General Manager, Ontario Woodlands, you will play a key role in leading harvesting operations, road infrastructure programs, fibre procurement activities, and operational planning while supporting Domtar's long-term business objectives. You will work closely with contractors, employees, Indigenous communities, government agencies, and internal stakeholders to ensure safe, sustainable, and cost-effective operations.

Why Join Domtar?

At Domtar, your work directly contributes to the success of one of Canada's leading forest products organizations.

We offer:

• Competitive salary and annual performance bonus
• Comprehensive group benefits starting on day one
• Defined contribution pension plan with employer contributions
• Minimum three weeks' vacation plus floating holidays
• Employee and family assistance program
• Telemedicine services
• Education assistance and professional development opportunities
• Relocation assistance to Thunder Bay, Ontario
• A strong commitment to workplace safety, diversity, and inclusion
• Career advancement opportunities within a growing forestry organization
• The opportunity to influence the future of sustainable forestry operations in Northwestern Ontario

What You'll Lead

Safety & Environmental Leadership

• Champion a culture where safety is a core value and operational excellence begins with safe work practices.
• Provide visible leadership and accountability for employee and contractor safety performance.
• Ensure compliance with all regulatory, environmental, and corporate safety requirements.
• Promote continuous improvement in safety systems and field practices.

Fibre Supply & Operations Management

• Lead woodlands operations involving timber harvesting, transportation, road construction, and road maintenance activities.
• Ensure a safe, sustainable, and reliable fibre supply for Domtar sawmill operations.
• Monitor operational performance to achieve production, utilization, cost, and inventory targets.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to align fibre supply plans with manufacturing requirements.

Financial & Business Management

• Develop and manage annual operating budgets.
• Monitor costs, productivity metrics, and operational performance.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that improve efficiency and overall business results.
• Support strategic planning and long-range operational forecasting.

People Leadership

• Lead, mentor, coach, and develop a team of forestry professionals.
• Promote a culture of accountability, engagement, and continuous learning.
• Support succession planning and talent development initiatives.
• Foster positive labour and employee relations practices.

Stakeholder & Contractor Relationships

• Build strong relationships with forestry contractors and suppliers.
• Collaborate with Indigenous communities, government agencies, municipalities, and industry stakeholders.
• Serve as a key liaison between Ontario Woodlands and Domtar manufacturing operations.
• Promote cooperation, professionalism, and strong communication across all business relationships.

The Ideal Candidate

You are a respected forestry leader with a proven track record of delivering results while building strong teams and partnerships.

Qualifications

• Degree or diploma in Forestry, Forest Management, Natural Resources, Business, or a related field.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive forestry, harvesting, woodlands, or natural resource operations experience.
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing field operations, contractors, and professional staff.
• Strong understanding of sustainable forest management principles and regulatory requirements.
• Experience managing budgets, business plans, and operational performance metrics.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
• A commitment to safety, environmental stewardship, and operational excellence.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and operational reporting systems.
• The salary range for this position is CAD $145,000 to $160,000 per year. Salary will commensurate with education and experience.

What Will Make You Successful

• Strategic thinker with a strong operational mindset.
• Collaborative leader who builds trust and accountability.
• Comfortable making decisions in dynamic environments.
• Passionate about continuous improvement and developing people.
• Committed to supporting sustainable forestry practices and responsible resource management.

Reason for Posting:

This is a replacement position.

Living in Thunder Bay

Thunder Bay offers an exceptional quality of life that combines urban amenities with immediate access to world-class outdoor recreation. Residents enjoy affordable living, beautiful natural surroundings, excellent educational opportunities, and year-round recreational activities including fishing, hunting, hiking, skiing, boating, and mountain biking.

Whether you're raising a family or looking for your next professional challenge, Northwestern Ontario offers a rewarding lifestyle and career opportunity.

Join Our Team

Domtar is an equal opportunity employer committed to inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection processes and work environments. We will accommodate the needs of applicants under the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) throughout all stages of the recruitment and selection process. Please advise the Human Resources Division to ensure your accessibility needs are accommodated throughout this process.

Domtar is firmly committed to placing greater emphasis on the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion to empower all employees to reach their full potential. We form a dynamic team whose diverse backgrounds and wealth of perspectives are one of the keys to our success. We offer an inclusive, rewarding and safe work environment with opportunities that will help grow your skills.

To learn more about our company, consult the Domtar Company Web Site and follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter.