Director of Operations

Industrial Electric Mfg. (IEM); Surrey; On-site; CAD 165,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

IEM in Surrey, BC, seeks a Director of Operations to lead Integrated Products manufacturing. The role owns safety, quality, delivery, cost, productivity, and capacity across product lines.

A hands‑on leader with Lean expertise is essential to scale high‑mix manufacturing and develop leaders. The position requires 100% in-office presence in Surrey, BC, with the ability to drive continuous improvement, cost reduction, and daily execution.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Manufacturing, Business, or a related field.
• 10+ years of progressive manufacturing or operations experience, including 5+ years in senior leadership roles.
• Lean Manufacturing experience in High Volume-Low Mix or High Mix-Low Volume environments.
• Experience with ERP systems (Infor would be an asset).
• Strong leadership and interpersonal communications skills.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, and direct manufacturing and maintenance operations to maximize return on assets.
• Oversee revenue and budgets (Investments, CapEX, etc.).
• Provide direction to the production team and collaborate with EHS, Planning, Engineering, Quality, and Finance.
• Establish accountability for cost reduction and problem-solving at group and individual levels.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and lean manufacturing practices.
• Ensure productivity targets are met and production schedules stay aligned with customer expectations.
• Coordinate maintenance activities to keep production equipment in optimal condition.
• Promote data-driven decision making and daily disciplined execution.

Skills

Leadership

Lean Manufacturing

Operations Management

Team Development

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/related field

Master’s degree / MBA preferred

Tools

Infor ERP

Job description

At IEM, we’re not just building innovative electrical distribution systems, we’re shaping the future. IEM is dedicated to delivering world‑class solutions for complex power needs. After 75 years, we continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible. Whether you’re an experienced professional or just starting out, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute, grow, and make a lasting impact on industries that power the world’s most dynamic markets.

IEM is seeking a Director of Operations to lead Integrated Products manufacturing in Surrey, B.C. This role owns safety, quality, delivery, cost, productivity, capacity, and team development across the assigned product lines.

The ideal candidate is a hands‑on operations leader with experience scaling complex, high‑mix manufacturing environments, building strong leaders, implementing Lean operating systems, and ensuring disciplined daily execution.

Please note: This position requires 100% in-office presence in our Surrey, B.C. offices and does not offer remote work.

Key Responsibilities

• Responsible for planning, coordinating, and overseeing daily operations to ensure the company fulfills its mission of delivering quality products on schedule while meeting efficiency and productivity objectives.
• Oversee revenue and budgets (Investments, CapEX, etc.)
• Provide direction to the production team and establish strong collaboration with other departments, including EHS, Planning, Engineering, Quality, Process Improvement, HR, and Finance, to facilitate production flow and achieve established goals.
• Plan, organize, and direct manufacturing and maintenance operations to maximize the return on assets.
• Continuously improve safety performance by addressing both physical safety concerns and fostering a strong safety culture among employees.
• Initiate plans and processes to minimize manufacturing costs through efficient utilization of manpower, equipment, facilities, materials, and capital.
• Ensure business objectives and production schedules are met while maintaining product standards that exceed customer expectations.
• Implement manufacturing strategies and action plans that align with IEM’s strategic initiatives.
• Establish accountability at both the group and individual levels within assigned departments for problem-solving and cost reduction, addressing both long-term and immediate needs.
• Encourage innovation by promoting the use of new techniques and fact‑based, data‑driven problem-solving.
• Minimize throughput time and work‑in‑process inventory to enhance operational efficiency.
• Optimize manpower utilization within existing departments and processes.
• Maintain scheduling stability to maximize efficiency and resource utilization.
• Reduce quality costs through periodic analysis of non‑conformances and implementing both corrective and preventive actions.
• Foster team spirit and motivation through personal involvement and leadership.
• Continuously improve worker productivity through training programs and performance standards derived from work measurement studies.
• Stay up to date with the latest production and production management concepts to maintain expertise and drive innovation.
• Establish a culture of continuous improvement and promote lean manufacturing practices.
• Ensure productivity targets are met and sustained.
• Coordinate maintenance activities to keep production equipment and facilities in optimal condition.
• Respond to special requests from the SVP of Operations, the Executive Team, and other departments as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Manufacturing, Business, or a related field required; master’s degree, MBA, or equivalent advanced education preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive manufacturing or operations experience, including 5+ years in senior leadership roles.
• Manufacturing Engineering (including M&I flow, Standard Operations, plant layout, waste elimination, continuous improvement, engineering change control) with a thorough understanding of manufacturing and financial KPI.
• Experience working with ERP systems (Infor would be an asset)
• Demonstrated written, verbal, and interpersonal communications skills
• Strong leadership, motivational, & interpersonal skills
• The position requires excellent communications and employee relations skills, and the ability to lead and motivate subordinates.
• Ability to effectively communicate ideas, concepts, and programs to all levels of the organization providing “leadership” to employees in a constantly changing environment. Hands‑on mentality.
• Ability to create and maintain relationships with customers and suppliers at all levels of their respective organizations.
• Demonstrated Lean Manufacturing experience in both a High Volume‑Low Mix environment (preferred) and/or High Mix‑Low Volume environment.
• A proven leader in Quality management / delivering best in class Customer requirements.
• Strong problem‑solving skills and analytical skills
• A proven Change Agent that has the maturity and confidence to lead and influence others.

Compensation actually offered for this role will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors.

[CAD $165,000 - $210,000]

Why Join IEM

At IEM, you’ll join a team that powers some of the world’s most ambitious projects. We’re engineers, makers, and problem‑solvers who thrive on tackling complex challenges and delivering solutions that keep industries moving forward. If you’re driven, collaborative, and ready to make an impact, we’d love to hear from you. Your creativity and passion can help us achieve great things—come be part of the journey.

Learn more about IEM at https://www.iemfg.com

We offer comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support our employees' well‑being, growth, and long‑term success. View a snapshot of our benefits at https://www.iemfg.com/careers

Non-Discrimination Statement

IEM does not discriminate against any applicant based on any characteristic protected by law.

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Use of AI

At IEM, we are committed to a fair and transparent hiring process. Use the link below to view how we use artificial intelligence (AI) technology to assist in reviewing job applications and your rights as an applicant.

AI Use in IEM's Hiring Process