Director of Operations/RCOO Canada

Sandvik; West Nipissing; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global engineering firm is seeking a Director of Operations/Regional Chief Operating Officer to oversee operations, ensure efficiency, and drive performance across facilities in Canada. The ideal candidate should have over 15 years of relevant experience, strong strategic thinking abilities, and a commitment to fostering a safety-first culture and operational excellence. This role involves leadership responsibilities, budget management, and promoting continuous improvement initiatives in a dynamic environment.

Benefits

Comprehensive compensation package

Professional development opportunities

Collaborative and growth-oriented culture

Qualifications

• Over 15 years in relevant roles.
• Experience in executive/managerial positions.
• Desirable experience in global/intercultural projects.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operations ensuring efficiency and safety.
• Maintain full budget and cost responsibility for operations.
• Establish and promote a strong health and safety culture.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Strong communication skills

Stakeholder management

Change management

Leadership

Education

University degree (MSc) in engineering or business administration

Tools

LEAN manufacturing

Business process development

Job description

Director of Operations/ Regional Chief Operating Officer (RCOO) Canada

Reports To: Regional CEO

Location: Sturgeon Falls, ON

This position may be based out of either our Sturgeon Falls or Saskatoon location, depending on the successful candidate)

Come and join our team! Sandvik, Ground Support Division is a leading global supplier of ground support solutions, for the mining and construction industry. Our offering covers rock bolts, resin, cable bolts, and in‑house manufacturing capabilities. Sandvik is a global, high‑tech engineering group with approximately 44,000 employees and sales in about 150 countries with a focus on enhancing customer productivity, profitability and sustainability offering solutions for manufacturing, mining, and infrastructure industries.

Summary of Position

We are seeking a strategic and hands‑on leader to join our team as Director of Operations / Regional Chief Operating Officer (RCOO).

In this role, you will oversee the day-to-day operations of one or more facilities, ensuring efficiency, safety, and excellence across all production and operational functions. You will drive performance to meet short‑and medium‑term financial and operational goals in alignment with the company’s overall business strategy.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a collaborative and innovative team that takes pride in craftsmanship, quality, and continuous improvement. If you’re a results‑driven leader who thrives in a dynamic, growth‑oriented environment, we’d love to hear from you.

Job Requirements

Educational Level / Basic Training:

• University degree (MSc) with relevant specialization in engineering or business administration

Specific Knowledge:

• High competence in business process development/implementation and change management
• Desirable competence in mechanics and automation processes and LEAN manufacturing

Work Experience:

• Over 15 years in relevant roles, previous executive / managerial experience is mandatory, as is experience from roles with global/intercultural projects/scope and/or environment.

Skills:

• A high level of strategic thinking coupled with the ability to break down complex areas and turn them into clear roadmaps and actions – striking the perfect balance between your analytical mindset and power of initiative
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills. Ability to understand “top‑level” issues and translate, clarify and cascade these requirements to all levels in the organization
• An inspirational and inclusive leader, a strong promoter of diversity, self‑aware, acts with integrity and builds trust within the organization

Job Responsibilities

Operational Requirements

• Full budget and cost responsibility of the operations in the entire NOAM region of SMR Ground Support Division (Cost of Goods produced and product costs), including establishment of quarterly forecasts. Manage COGP variance accounts and analyze financial performance to identify improvement potential. Understand and manage financial performance with respect to COGS and GP impact.
• Ensure organizational efficiency and effectiveness. Key performance indicators include plant efficiency, equipment utilization, productivity, net working capital and total headcount.
• Full understanding of LEAN manufacturing and other operational management methodologies.

Business Strategy Execution

• Develop a lean culture promoting continuous improvement.
• Translate divisional strategy into clear execution plans for the site; cascading/communicating and delivering on these plans. Provide strategy and direction on improved product cost, productivity and quality standards.
• Developing the site and its key processes to deliver quality products on time, in a cost and resource efficient way: You bring people, processes and technology together and drive developments in process efficiency, digitalization and sustainability.
• Capacity management (near term to 10 years), investment planning (1-5 years) and investment project management, including process improvements necessary for capacity, capabilities and cost development as per product line requirements. Ensure adherence to investment budget per forecasted timeline and spend.
• Proactively predict variables that may affect performance. Design and implement appropriate flexibility strategies in relation to cost structure, capacity, manning and raw materials to enable us to stay agile and protect our margin / profit from upturns depending on market cycle.
• Develop the organization and its people with our future competency needs and performance in mind, including achieving diversity targets, ensuring succession planning for key positions and management of critical competencies.

A “Safety First Culture” and Sustainable Business

• Establish and maintain a strong health and safety culture and a safe workplace.
• Monitor and review implementation of EHS standards/legislation to ensure compliance and proactive and effective risk detection and management.
• Maintain/improve external certification results within EHS and Quality management.

Managing your team

• Personnel responsibility for your team including target setting, performance management and accountability for work environment, health and safety as per local legislation, policies etc.
• Creates an inclusive and empowering work environment. Proactively takes action to ensure an environment that nurtures strong employee engagement and teamwork. Ensures joint development activities and regular exchange between all the subordinates.
• Promotes Sandvik core values and acts as a role model.
• Ensures adherence to the Sandvik way, applicable legislation and established policies and guidelines within area of responsibility.

Corporate Responsibilities

• Actively lives and considers the Sandvik company Values in all work
• Comply with occupational health and safety recommendations.
• Comply with the KPIS established for the position
• Support the dissemination and local reproduction of the guidelines generated at the corporate level
• Ensure compliance with the internal policies and procedures of the company and Sandvik group

KPIs

• TBC by an immediate manager during Annual Performance Review

What We Offer:

• Hands‑on exposure to ground support product manufacturing and global operations
• A collaborative and growth‑oriented culture that values initiative, continuous improvement, and innovation
• A meaningful role where you can make a tangible impact on business performance and decision‑making
• A place on an ambitious and high‑performing team within a globally recognized industry leader
• Support to help you reach your full professional potential and ongoing continuous development, training, and career growth opportunities
• An excellent comprehensive compensation package including a pension plan with matching, competitive health, dental, life and disability benefits

Our Culture

Our core values are the soul of the company. They guide us in our actions and daily business decisions. We are a company with an open‑minded culture that encourages employees to share ideas and work innovatively. We embrace diversity and inclusion and inspire everyone to bring their authentic selves to work every day!

HOW TO APPLY:

All qualified persons are encouraged to apply at www.sandvik.com/careers to the Director of Operations / Regional Chief Operating Officer (RCOO). Requisition#R0084749 however, Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority. While we thank all candidates for their interest, only those considered for an interview will be contacted.

Sandvik, Ground Support Division welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodation is available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

We are an equal opportunity employer which values diversity in the workplace and encourage applications from members of equity‑seeking communities including women, racialized persons, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and persons of all sexual orientations or gender identities/expressions.

We are committed to creating an inclusive and barrier free experience to applicants with accessibility needs; therefore, requests for accommodation can be made at any stage during the recruitment process.

We thank all those who apply, however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be selected.