Director of Production

Ocean Sonics Ltd.; Truro Heights; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Ocean Sonics Ltd. is seeking a Director of Production located in Truro Heights, Nova Scotia. This senior leadership role involves overseeing production, inventory control, and manufacturing planning. Successful candidates will have extensive experience in operational leadership within a manufacturing environment.

The Director will develop strategies to ensure operational efficiency and product quality while promoting collaboration and continuous improvement.

Key qualifications include a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and over seven years of related experience.

Qualifications

• 7-10+ years of operational leadership experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Proven expertise in managing production, inventory systems, and manufacturing planning.
• Strong knowledge of ISO 9001 and continuous improvement methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Oversee end-to-end production operations including scheduling and reporting.
• Develop and execute operational strategies across production and inventory management.
• Lead capacity planning, demand forecasting, and resource optimization.

Skills

Operational leadership

Production management

Inventory control

Manufacturing planning

Lean manufacturing

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Production Management, or related field

Tools

ERP/MRP platforms

Forecasting tools

Planning software

Power BI

Python

MATLAB

Job description

Mission

As a senior leadership role, the Director of Production is responsible for the strategic and day-to-day oversight of production, inventory control, and manufacturing planning functions. This role ensures operational efficiency, product quality, and timely delivery across all manufacturing activities. The Director fosters cross‑functional collaboration and continuous improvement in alignment with Ocean Sonics' values and business strategy.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Production Leadership

• Develop and execute integrated operational strategies across production, inventory management, and manufacturing planning.
• Set departmental KPIs and performance benchmarks aligned with organizational goals.
• Lead capacity planning, demand forecasting, and resource optimization to support current and future growth.

Operational Excellence

• Oversee end-to-end production operations, including scheduling, workflow execution, and reporting.
• Direct inventory control processes to ensure accuracy, traceability, and alignment with supply chain needs.
• Manage manufacturing planning activities to optimize material availability, minimize lead times, and balance workloads.

People Leadership & Team Development

• Build and lead a high-performing production team, including leaders in production, planning, and inventory.
• Foster a values-based culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning.
• Guide succession planning, cross‑training, and staff development programs to enhance flexibility and engagement.

Product and Process Innovation

• Collaborate with Engineering, R&D, and Design on manufacturability and process improvements.
• Lead adoption of new technologies, equipment, and lean practices to increase efficiency and scalability.
• Promote Six Sigma and continuous improvement frameworks across operational disciplines.

Quality, Safety & Compliance

• Ensure all production meets or exceeds ISO, safety, and regulatory compliance standards.
• Lead investigations and corrective/preventive actions for operational issues.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation supporting compliance and traceability.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Act as a key liaison between production and other departments including Sales, Procurement, and Quality.
• Participate in strategic planning and customer engagement to align production and delivery expectations.
• Translate executive objectives into actionable operational plans and metrics.

Change Management

• Lead organizational change initiatives that improve operational efficiency, systems, and culture.
• Communicate change objectives clearly and gain alignment across teams.
• Manage risk and minimize disruption during transitions in processes, technologies, or structures.
• Foster a culture that embraces innovation, flexibility, and continuous learning.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Production Management, or a related field.
• 7-10+ years of operational leadership experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Proven expertise in managing production, inventory systems, and manufacturing planning.
• Strong knowledge of ERP/MRP platforms, forecasting tools, and planning software.
• Working knowledge of ISO 9001, lean manufacturing, and continuous improvement methodologies.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in electronics, high-tech manufacturing, or acoustic product sectors.
• Familiarity with transducer technology and underwater acoustics.
• Proficiency in analytics and reporting tools (e.g., Power BI, Python, MATLAB).
• Formal training in Lean, Six Sigma, or PMP certification.

Core Competencies

• Strategic Thinking – Aligns long-term vision with operational execution.
• Operational Discipline – Drives precision, structure, and consistency.
• Leadership & Coaching – Inspires, mentors, and elevates teams.
• Customer-Centric Mindset – Prioritizes customer value in all decisions.
• Collaborative Communication – Bridges departments with clarity and purpose.
• Change Management – Guides teams through transition with clarity, empathy, and effectiveness.

Ocean Sonics Values (Lived Daily)

• We Care
• We're Honest
• We Do the Right Thing
• We're Curious
• We're Innovative
• We're Passionate