Head of Operations Plant 1

ZF LIFETEC; Midland; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

ZF LIFETEC is seeking a Head of Operations for Plant 1 in Ontario to lead production operations, direct the operational team, and ensure compliance with OH&S and Ontario regulations while driving revenue growth and productivity.

The role requires 5+ years of management experience in a technical environment, knowledge of electroplating and metal finishing, and a proven track record of implementing efficient processes with safety-first leadership.

Qualifications

• Post-Secondary diploma or degree in a technical field preferred.
• Knowledge of electroplating and metal finishing preferred.
• 5 or more years previous management experience in a technical environment with proven leadership abilities.
• Effective leadership skills, with a strong focus on operations and business processes.
• Able to identify key issues; creatively and strategically overcome internal challenges or obstacles.
• Holds a clear and solid understanding of personnel policies, practices, and procedures and other operational issues faced by the organization.
• Effective attention to detail and a high degree of accuracy.
• Maintains a high level of integrity, confidentially, and accountability.
• Sound analytical thinking, planning, prioritization, and execution skills.
• Maintains a well-defined sense of diplomacy, including solid negotiation, conflict resolution, and people management skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage Plant 1 operations budget and financial accountability.
• Provide support and expert opinion to subordinates and management as needed.
• Ensure compliance procedures are in place and safety procedures are followed to avoid accidents or incidents.
• Ensure safety is prioritized and employees comply with electrical and health & safety regulations.
• Provide planning and forecasting to obtain approvals for the departments.
• Oversee daily plant operations for efficiency and safety and ensure regulatory requirements are followed.
• Oversee supervisory staff directly.
• Ensure new employees are trained and oriented; perform follow-up sessions for proper fit.
• Responsible for completion and retention of reports detailing production activities and continuous improvement.
• Establish the overall vision and direction for implementing internal operations.
• Develop and implement new business strategies to improve processes and procedures.
• Monitor departmental performance against goals and take corrective action when necessary.
• Meet regularly with department heads; resolve issues between units and/or departments.
• Monitor financial performance to ensure budgetary commitments are met or exceeded.
• Analyze and report on KPI trends and industry developments.
• Develop strategies to improve financial performance of the department.
• Ensure reporting employees adhere to company policies and procedures.
• Ensure preventive maintenance priorities are set for company buildings.
• Stay current with technological changes and regulatory updates regarding chemicals in maintenance tasks.
• Perform other duties as required.

Skills

Leadership

Operations management

Strategic planning

Communication

Problem solving

Education

Post-secondary diploma or degree in a technical field

Job description

Your journey to a meaningful career starts with ZF LIFETEC

Summary

The Head of Operations is responsible for the strategic direction and leadership of all production operations in Plant 1. The incumbent must effectively and efficiently manage the development and direction of the operational team to drive the growth of revenue and technical productivity. He/she must ensure that all departments under his/her control are compliant with all applicable legislation, including but not limited to Occupational Health and Safety and Ontario Employment Standards Regulations.

Your Tasks

• Responsible for the financial accountability of the Plant 1 operations and maintenance department budgets.
• Provide support and expert opinion to subordinates and to management as needed.
• Ensure that all compliance procedures are in place and all safety procedures are followed to avoid any accidents or incidents.
• Ensure that safety is made a priority and that employees and managers are abiding by all electrical and Health and Safety regulations.
• Provide planning and forecasting to allow for the adequate approvals for the departments under their control.
• Manage and oversee the daily operations of the plant. Monitor operations for efficiency and safety ensuring that all applicable regulatory requirements are followed.
• Oversee supervisory staff directly.
• Ensure through supervision that new employees are trained and oriented as appropriate for their new positions; performing follow-up sessions to ensure their proper fit within the company.
• Responsible for the completion and retention of reports detailing production activities and continuous improvement
• Establish the overall vision and direction for the implementation of the internal operations.
• Develop and implement new business strategies for creating or improving processes and procedures to improve corporate performance.
• Monitor departmental performance against goals to ensure that progress is being made, and that corrective action is taken if necessary.
• Meet regularly with department heads/business unit leaders; facilitates resolution of issues/problems between business units and/or departments.
• Monitor financial performance to ensure the department is meeting or exceeding budgetary commitment.
• Analyze and report on the daily, monthly and annually department's key performance indicators and industry trends.
• Develop and implement strategies around improving the financial performance of the department.
• Ensure that all reporting employees adhere to company policies and procedures
• Ensure his/her employees are setting the appropriate priorities for preventive maintenance in the company building.
• Keep current with technological changes and any governmental regulations changed regarding the chemicals used in the performance of the maintenance duties.
• Perform other duties as required.

Your Profile

• Post-Secondary diploma or degree in a technical field preferred
• Knowledge of electroplating and metal finishing preferred
• 5 or more years previous management experience in a technical environment with proven leadership abilities.
• Effective leadership skills, with a strong focus on operations and business processes.
• Able to identify key issues; creatively and strategically overcome internal challenges or obstacles.
• Holds a clear and solid understanding of personnel policies, practices, and procedures and other operational issues faced by the organization.
• Effective attention to detail and a high degree of accuracy.
• Maintains a high level of integrity, confidentially, and accountability.
• Sound analytical thinking, planning, prioritization, and execution skills.
• Maintains a well-defined sense of diplomacy, including solid negotiation, conflict resolution, and people management skills.

Core Competencies

• Communication
• Creative and Innovative Thinking
• Decision Making and Judgement
• Results Orientation
• Ethics and Integrity
• Mediating and Negotiating
• Leadership
• Development and Continual Learning

• Innovative Impact: Shape the future of safety with life-saving technology that truly matters.
• Dynamic Workplace: Thrive in an agile, collaborative environment where every idea counts.
• Culture of Excellence: Be part of a team with over 60 years of high standards and groundbreaking achievements.
• Growth & Empowerment: Advance your career with strong support for personal and professional development.

Diversity & Inclusion

At ZF LIFETEC, we are committed to building a culture where inclusiveness thrives and diversity is valued. We welcome unique perspectives and actively work to remove barriers, empowering all employees to reach their full potential. Guided by this vision, we innovate and create life-saving technology that makes a real impact on automotive safety.