Plant Manager

David Aplin Recruiting; Airdrie; On-site; CAD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

David Aplin Recruiting is representing a leading Alberta manufacturing client seeking an experienced plant operations leader in Airdrie. The role focuses on safety, productivity, and profitability in a fast-paced environment.

You will oversee production, planning, maintenance, and logistics, building high-performing teams and coordinating cross-functionally to drive continuous improvements and cost efficiency.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience in manufacturing, industrial, or labour-intensive settings.
• Experience leading production teams and multiple operational functions.
• Strong people leadership skills with ability to drive accountability and high performance.
• Experience leading change and implementing process improvements.
• History of improving productivity, reducing costs, and enhancing operations.
• Solid understanding of workplace safety practices and safety programs.
• Familiarity with ISO standards and compliance requirements.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership and direction for plant operations, ensuring safe, efficient, and productive performance.
• Lead, coach, and develop a team across production, planning, maintenance, and operations.
• Manage and support direct reports including leadership of multiple functions.
• Establish clear expectations and drive accountability and engagement.
• Oversee production, logistics, maintenance, and day-to-day activities.
• Monitor KPIs and take action to improve productivity, costs, quality, and safety.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on productivity, costs, quality, and safety.
• Identify operational challenges and implement practical, sustainable solutions.
• Maintain focus on workplace health and safety and ensure compliance with requirements.
• Support ISO-related standards, processes, and compliance initiatives.
• Address HR matters and employee concerns in partnership with leadership.
• Manage relationships with vendors, customers, and external partners.
• Represent the organization professionally with external stakeholders as the local facility lead.
• Partner with senior leadership to support operational and profitability objectives.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Change management

Strategic planning

Communication

Problem solving

Tools

SAP

Job description

Key Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership and direction for plant operations, ensuring safe, efficient, and productive performance.
• Lead, coach, and develop a team of employees across production, planning, maintenance, and operations.
• Manage and support direct reports, including production, planning, maintenance, and operations leadership.
• Establish clear expectations and drive accountability, employee engagement, and performance.
• Oversee production, logistics, maintenance, and day-to-day operational activities.
• Monitor productivity, costs, quality, safety, and operational KPIs, taking action where improvements are required.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on productivity, efficiency, cost reduction, quality, and safety.
• Identify operational challenges and implement practical, sustainable solutions.
• Maintain a strong focus on workplace health and safety and ensure compliance with applicable requirements.
• Support ISO-related standards, processes, and compliance initiatives.
• Address HR-related matters and employee concerns in partnership with leadership.
• Manage relationships with local vendors, customers, and external business partners.
• Represent the organization professionally with external stakeholders and serve as the primary local representative for the facility.
• Partner with senior leadership to support operational and profitability objectives.

Qualifications & Experience

• Proven leadership experience within a manufacturing, industrial, or labour-intensive operations environment.
• Experience managing production teams and multiple operational functions.
• Strong people leadership skills with a demonstrated ability to build accountability, engagement, and high-performing teams.
• Experience leading change and implementing process improvements.
• Demonstrated success improving productivity, reducing costs, and enhancing operational performance.
• Strong understanding of workplace health and safety practices.
• Experience managing safety programs.
• Familiarity with ISO standards and compliance requirements.
• Strong understanding of operational cost management and profitability.
• Experience with SAP is preferred.
• Strong communication, presentation, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills.

At Aplin — together with our brands CompuStaff, Impact Recruitment, and Vantix Systems — we connect great people with great organizations across North America. We believe diverse teams build stronger companies, and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We use AI tools to assist in a fair and efficient matching process, helping our recruiters connect the right people with the right opportunities. To be considered, applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada, including holding any required permits. Our recruitment services are always free for job seekers.Accommodation is available upon request throughout all stages of the recruitment process.