Operations Supervisor - Plastics

Harbinger Network Inc.; Toronto; On-site; CAD 72,000 - 94,000; Full time

Job summary

Harbinger Network Inc. is seeking a manufacturing supervisor to lead safety, quality, and productivity on the production floor.

You will promote a strong safety culture, ensure ISO 9001 compliance, and guide teams in daily operations and process improvements. The role requires 5+ years of supervisory experience in manufacturing, a degree in Chemical Engineering or related field, and exceptional leadership skills.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of supervisory experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering or related field preferred.
• Experience in ISO 9001 environment is required.
• Strong understanding of workplace safety programs and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead and promote a strong safety culture on the production floor.
• Ensure employees follow safety policies, procedures, and PPE requirements.
• Participate in safety audits, observations, and hazard identifications.
• Monitor production activities and identify productivity trends and issues.
• Train and develop employees on production processes and equipment.
• Drive improvements in production rates, labor utilization, and waste reduction.
• Maintain accurate daily production logs and personnel documentation.
• Lead, coach, and mentor production employees; conduct performance reviews.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Organizational skills

Problem solving

ERP experience

Driver's license

English communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering or related field

Tools

ERP systems

Microsoft Office

HRIS/timekeeping systems

Job description

What You'll Be Responsible For

Safety

• Lead and promote a strong safety culture throughout the production floor.
• Ensure employees understand and follow all safety policies, procedures, and PPE requirements.
• Participate in regular safety meetings and initiatives.
• Complete safety audits, observations, and hazard identification activities.
• Immediately address and educate employees or visitors when unsafe behaviours or conditions are observed.
• Maintain strong housekeeping standards throughout the production area.

Quality

• Ensure production employees follow applicable ISO 9001 procedures and quality standards.
• Ensure employees are properly trained and qualified to perform in-process quality checks.
• Review quality and test results and address issues as required.
• Ensure appropriate material identification and scanning procedures are followed to prevent material mix-ups.
• Review production documentation prior to job start.
• Verify packaging, labelling, and finished product requirements before material is released to logistics.
• Ensure production follows process engineering instructions and established job directives.

Production & Productivity

• Monitor production activities and identify trends, opportunities, and potential issues that could affect productivity.
• Ensure employees consistently follow work instructions and established production procedures.
• Train and develop employees on various production processes and equipment.
• Drive improvements in production rates, labour utilization, material usage, cleanup times, and waste reduction.
• Identify opportunities to reduce waste and maximize the reuse of materials where applicable.
• Utilize production history, logbooks, charts, and other available data to improve results.
• Manage vacation and overtime requests to maintain appropriate shift coverage.
• Support new product development and new business initiatives.

Administration

• Maintain accurate daily production logs and records.
• Ensure production jobs are closed out accurately and on time.
• Record daily labour and machine hours within the ERP system.
• Review and approve employee attendance and time records.
• Maintain accurate production and personnel documentation.

Leadership & Employee Development

• Lead, coach, mentor, and develop production employees.
• Conduct performance reviews and establish goals and training plans.
• Identify employee strengths and development opportunities.
• Implement performance improvement plans when required.
• Participate in hiring and termination decisions in partnership with management and HR.
• Support the selection and onboarding of manufacturing employees.
• Apply company policies and procedures consistently.
• Manage vacation schedules while balancing productivity and overtime requirements.
• Ensure all direct reports receive appropriate training.
• Develop employees and prepare high-potential team members for future advancement opportunities.
• Empower employees through effective delegation and accountability.

Cross-Functional Communication

You will work closely with:

• Production
• Quality
• Maintenance
• Logistics
• Engineering
• Human Resources
• Plant Management
• Other corporate and operational departments

What We're Looking For

• 5+ years of supervisory experience in a manufacturing environment
• Previous supervisory, team leadership, or people-management experience
• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering or a related field preferred
• Working knowledge of plastic compounding, materials, and production equipment
• Experience working within an ISO 9001 environment
• Strong understanding of workplace safety programs and regulatory requirements
• Experience with formal safety programs such as S.T.O.P. is an asset
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills
• Strong leadership, coaching, and employee-development skills
• Excellent English communication skills, both verbal and written
• Comfortable working with ERP systems and Microsoft Office
• Experience with HRIS/timekeeping systems is an asset
• Strong mechanical aptitude
• Ability to understand, interpret, and consistently implement policies, procedures, and work instructions
• Ability to remain calm, focused, and effective under pressure
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced and complex manufacturing environment
• Demonstrated ability to recognize employee strengths and development opportunities
• Strong delegation and empowerment skills
• Ability to work effectively through others to achieve production goals
• Valid driver's licence
• Ability to work a continental shift schedule
• Ability to perform physically demanding work when required

Why This Opportunity?

This role is ideal for a manufacturing leader who wants to make a direct impact on safety, quality, productivity, and employee development.

Compensation will range according to your level of expertise in the range of $72000 - $94000 to start.

You'll have the opportunity to lead a production team, improve processes, develop employees, and work closely with multiple departments to achieve operational goals.

Harbinger Network Inc. is a Canadian-based firm serving companies across Canada, with a diverse network of recruiters and expertise spanning more than 10 major disciplines. Our mission is to build meaningful careers for professionals and develop powerhouse teams for businesses across Canada.

Disclosure:

This posting represents an active and genuine vacancy with one of Harbinger Network’s clients and is not for speculative or pipeline recruitment. Harbinger Network and/or our Clients may use AI-assisted tools to support the screening and evaluation of applications; however, these tools are not intended to replace the Hiring Manager’s judgement or decision-making in the hiring process.