Operations Leader

Maple Leaf Foods Inc.; Hamilton; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and Wellness benefits

Defined Contribution Pension Plan

Tuition reimbursement

Volunteer days

Learning and development opportunities

Job summary

Maple Leaf Foods Inc. is seeking a Senior Operations Leader to drive plant performance, implement best-in-class manufacturing practices, and ensure strict adherence to GMP, CFIA, and food safety standards across the facility.

You will lead a capable leadership team and partner with cross-functional groups to meet customer commitments. You will manage budgets, optimize production schedules, and champion operational excellence initiatives such as Six Sigma while coaching salaried staff toward

Qualifications

• 5+ years of production experience in the food processing industry.
• 5+ years of demonstrated, progressive management experience in a unionized work environment.
• Strong leadership and analytical, decision-making and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication.
• Ability to work with all functions toward a common goal.
• Proven record of leading operational excellence initiatives and delivering bottom-line results.

Responsibilities

• Provide operational and strategic decision making to support the Site Leader.
• Develop and drive a strong health & safety and food safety culture, and own KPI performance for the area.
• Be accountable for production costs, labour utilization, yields, operating results and cost improvements in the department.
• Prepare and execute the operational overhead budget and direct product cost targets.
• Drive operational excellence, including Six Sigma, to reduce operating costs and minimize waste.
• Review and support the implementation of capital improvements within the area.
• Meet or exceed customer service level targets by synchronizing processes and activities across all functions, from demand planning through delivery to the customer.
• Optimize and ensure execution of weekly and monthly production schedules.
• Support Marketing/Sales and Product Development on new and existing product initiatives and customer inquiries.
• Ensure adherence to the Company’s food safety requirements and Good Manufacturing Practices, including BRCGS certification and audit targets, and support continual improvement of the food safety and quality management system.
• Maintain compliance with CFIA, provincial labour, environmental and health & safety legislation, Collective Agreements, and other regulatory requirements that impact plant performance.
• Build trust with employees and union partners through respect, visible presence on the floor, and timely feedback and grievance resolution.
• Set clear expectations and coach teams to own their performance against key metrics tied to the vision.
• Develop salaried employees through training, certification and coaching, and provide clear roles and consistent support and feedback to all employees.
• Build a cohesive, competent leadership group, with plans for development and succession, and create growth opportunities that prepare others to step into larger roles

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Communication

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Data analysis

Education

Post-secondary education in food science, business, engineering, or operations management

Tools

SAP

Job description

The Opportunity:

This position provides leadership for the effective operations of the plant by ensuring the development and implementation of best-in-class manufacturing processes, adherence to good manufacturing practices and supply chain management. Responsible for ensuring superior customer satisfaction while meeting our commitments to human resources, health & safety and food safety standards. Leads by removing barriers and building capability so frontline teams deliver safe, high-quality results.

Reason for vacancy: Existing Headcount

Snapshot of a Day-in-the-Life:

• Provide operational and strategic decision making to support the Site Leader.
• Develop and drive a strong health & safety and food safety culture, and own KPI performance for the area.
• Be accountable for production costs, labour utilization, yields, operating results and cost improvements in the department.
• Prepare and execute the operational overhead budget and direct product cost targets.
• Drive operational excellence, including Six Sigma, to reduce operating costs and minimize waste.
• Review and support the implementation of capital improvements within the area.
• Meet or exceed customer service level targets by synchronizing processes and activities across all functions, from demand planning through delivery to the customer.
• Optimize and ensure execution of weekly and monthly production schedules.
• Support Marketing/Sales and Product Development on new and existing product initiatives and customer inquiries.
• Ensure adherence to the Company’s food safety requirements and Good Manufacturing Practices, including BRCGS certification and audit targets, and support continual improvement of the food safety and quality management system.
• Maintain compliance with CFIA, provincial labour, environmental and health & safety legislation, Collective Agreements, and other regulatory requirements that impact plant performance.
• Build trust with employees and union partners through respect, visible presence on the floor, and timely feedback and grievance resolution.
• Set clear expectations and coach teams to own their performance against key metrics tied to the vision.
• Develop salaried employees through training, certification and coaching, and provide clear roles and consistent support and feedback to all employees.
• Build a cohesive, competent leadership group, with plans for development and succession, and create growth opportunities that prepare others to step into larger roles

What You’ll Bring:

• Post-secondary education in one of the following disciplines: food science, business, engineering, or operations management.
• A minimum of 5 years of production experience in the food processing industry.
• A minimum of 5 years of demonstrated, progressive management experience in a unionized work environment.
• Strong leadership, independent thinking, organizational and planning abilities, with excellent analytical, decision-making and problem-solving skills.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work as a team with all functional areas toward a common goal.
• Proven record of leading operational excellence initiatives and delivering bottom-line results.
• Customer-focused mindset, with a commitment to building a loyal customer base.
• Leadership style grounded in listening, coaching and empowering others, with the credibility to hold high standards.
• Demonstrated track record of decision making using analytical tools (e.g., SAP, variance reports, downtime analysis, SWOT analysis, Six Sigma metrics).

What We Offer at Maple Leaf Foods:

• Being part of a high-performance, people-focused company that has an inspiring and unique vision to become the most sustainable protein company on earth, and a deep commitment to sustainable protein across North America.
• An inclusive company culture and a work environment that keeps our people safe, rewards excellence, and empowers everyone to learn and contribute their best.
• Competitive Health and Wellness benefits that offer flexibility to meet your individual or family needs, including programs focused on improving mental health and wellbeing. These benefits start on your first day of employment.
• Defined Contribution Pension Plan with company matching that starts on your first day of employment.
• Learning and development opportunities, including workshops, ‘speaker series’ events, and resources that allow you to develop your skills and progress your career.
• Comprehensive tuition reimbursement program that supports continuous learning and development of our team members through investment in eligible degrees, diplomas, professional certification, or trades programs.
• Supporting our deep commitment to community impact, we offer up to two paid days annually to volunteer at a cause of your choice.

About Us:

We’re a carbon neutral food company on a purposeful journey to Raise the Good in Food through better nutrition, safer food and workplaces, more humane animal care, and environmental sustainability efforts that protect our planet. We care about our communities and commit to reducing food insecurity in Canada. Join us on the journey. Let’s build a better future, together.

We’re passionate about food. For more than 100 years, we’ve made delicious, healthy protein that Canadians love under iconic national and regional brands, like Maple Leaf®, Schneiders®, and Greenfield Natural Meat Co.® We’re on a journey to become the most sustainable protein company – not just in Canada – but on earth.

• We are carbon neutral.
• We are one of the only food companies in Canada to set science-based targets.

We’re a global food company with approximately 10,000 team members. We operate sites in 20+ locations across Canada. We also have locations in the U.S. and Mexico, and do business in Asia.

A diverse and inclusive work environment

Championing diversity and inclusion is a critical component to advancing our collective purpose and vision and living the Maple Leaf Leadership Values. We believe in building, investing in, recognizing, and rewarding remarkable people who value an inclusive workplace, embrace all forms of diversity, and commit to including every voice in our collaborative environment. We’re so much stronger when we know we’re accepted and valued for who we are and what we each bring to the workplace.

We embrace a strong, values-based culture

• Doing What’s Right
• Shared Value
• High Performance
• Diverse and Inclusive Teams
• Disciplined Decision Making

  We thank all applicants for their interest in exploring employment opportunities with Maple Leaf Foods; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Applicants may be subject to a background check and must meet the security criteria designated for the position.

  Championing diversity and inclusion is a critical component to advancing our collective purpose and vision, living the Maple Leaf Leadership Values, and delivering winning results. Accommodation is available upon request for applicants with disabilities in the recruitment and assessment process and when hired; please contact our Talent Attraction Team at [e-mail] .

  Disclaimer: Please note that salaries posted on sites other than the MLF Careers Page are not a reflection of Maple Leaf Foods and are an estimated salary range provided by that particular job board. Maple Leaf Foods offers competitive wages and an attractive total rewards package, which will be discussed during an interview with our Talent Team.