Plant Manager

Lock Search Group; Strathmore; On-site; CAD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Lock Search Group is seeking a Plant Manager to lead the commissioning, start-up, and ongoing operation of a new Strathmore, Alberta facility. You will oversee production, food safety and quality, maintenance, logistics, inventory, automation, and continuous improvement.

The position requires strong leadership, budget management, ERP and data analytics experience, and a track record of driving safety, reliability, and cost efficiency in a manufacturing setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, chemical, industrial, or related engineering.
• P.Eng. designation with APEGA preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee commissioning, start-up, and ongoing operation of the Strathmore plant.
• Lead production, food safety, quality, maintenance, logistics, inventory, automation, and continuous improvement.
• Set KPIs and drive Lean manufacturing, root-cause analysis, and cost-reduction initiatives.
• Partner with Engineering and Finance to resolve start-up challenges and optimize operations.

Skills

Leadership

ERP knowledge

Data analytics

Budgeting

Cross-functional leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical/chemical/industrial engineering

P.Eng. designation with APEGA preferred

Tools

Emerson DeltaV

Aptean ERP

Data Lakes

Machine Learning

Job description

Plant Manager

Strathmore, AB (some time in Calgary/Leduc during construction)

Be part of something new. Our client is an independent, Alberta-based innovator and processor of novel, sustainable pulse ingredients for the food, beverage, and baked goods industries. They are building a plant in Strathmore, Alberta, and are looking for a Plant Manager to bring it to life.

As Plant Manager, you will lead the commissioning, start-up, and ongoing operation of the facility. Reporting to the President & CEO, you will oversee production, food safety and quality, maintenance, logistics, inventory, automation, and continuous improvement. Your goal is a facility that runs safely, reliably, and cost-effectively, backed by a high-performing, accountable team.

Commissioning & Operational Readiness

• Partner with the Engineering Project Lead to support construction, commissioning, start-up, and ramp-up to steady-state operations
• Work across Engineering, Maintenance, Supply Chain, Food Safety and Quality, and Finance to resolve start-up challenges
• Develop budgets, staffing plans, schedules, performance targets, procedures, and training
• Support integration of Emerson DeltaV, Aptean ERP, data lakes, machine learning, and real-time analytics into plant operations

Operations Management

• Lead operations to meet safety, quality, delivery, cost, productivity, yield, and inventory goals
• Deliver production schedules while ensuring product consistency, traceability, and on-time delivery
• Optimize yield, throughput, energy efficiency, equipment reliability, and operating costs
• Set and manage KPIs, and lead Lean Manufacturing, root-cause analysis, and continuous improvement initiatives

Food Safety, Quality & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with SQF, GMPs, SOPs, CFIA requirements, HACCP, and applicable regulations
• Maintain high standards for sanitation, traceability, documentation, and audit readiness
• Lead investigations into food safety, quality, and operational incidents, and implement corrective and preventive actions

Health, Safety & Environment

• Build a safety-first culture and ensure safe-work procedures and training are consistently applied
• Lead incident investigations and monitor safety and environmental performance

Leadership & People Development

• Attract, lead, and develop managers, supervisors, team leads, and production staff
• Maintain a visible presence on the plant floor to support employees and resolve issues
• Foster a culture of trust, accountability, collaboration, and operational excellence

REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, process, chemical, industrial, or a related engineering discipline; P.Eng. designation with APEGA preferred
• 5-10 years of progressive manufacturing or plant operations experience, including leading managers, supervisors, and cross-functional teams
• Experience managing operating budgets, workforce plans, production schedules, and cost-reduction initiatives
• Strong knowledge of ERP, automation, and process-control systems
• Experience using operational data and analytics to improve yield, throughput, energy efficiency, reliability, and quality
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, decision-making, communication, and stakeholder-management skills
• Emotional intelligence, with the ability to build trust, develop talent, navigate difficult conversations, and inspire accountability

The successful candidate will lead a new, technology-enabled facility and shape operational excellence within a high-growth private company. They offer a total rewards package that includes a competitive base salary, annual bonus incentive, group health benefits, and the opportunity to participate in long-term incentive programs.