Plant Manager – Food Production

Lock Search Group; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 130,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Extended health benefits

Job summary

Lock Search Group is seeking an experienced Plant Manager for its Greater Vancouver food production operation. You will lead production, maintenance, warehousing, and safety, driving continuous improvement and lean initiatives in a non-union environment.

Reporting to the COO, you will coach a diverse team, implement new systems, optimize resources, and ensure the highest quality and regulatory compliance across all plant activities.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of leadership in food manufacturing.
• SQF & HACCP environment experience in production/warehousing.
• Proven ability to lead teams and improve performance.
• Knowledge of food safety standards, quality systems, and regulatory compliance.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills.
• Continuous improvement mindset with process optimization experience.
• Experience with ERP systems and implementing new systems.
• Ability to motivate a diverse team and allocate resources effectively.
• Familiarity with Canadian labor laws, health & safety regulations.
• Post-secondary degree (food science, engineering or business) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Direct day-to-day plant operations ensuring safety, quality, productivity, and efficiency targets.
• Lead production, maintenance, warehouse, and operations teams with a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Develop and implement systems and processes to improve performance and workforce capability.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, regulatory, and company standards.
• Monitor KPIs, production metrics, and operational performance to identify opportunities.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to support growth and strategic objectives.
• Mentor and develop high-performing teams through coaching and succession planning.
• Drive customer satisfaction by delivering safe, efficient, high-quality products.

Skills

Leadership

Lean manufacturing

Food manufacturing

ERP systems

Safety compliance

Communication

Continuous improvement

Education

Degree in food science/engineering/business

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Plant Manager – Food Production (Greater Vancouver Region)

Greater Vancouver, BC

Cameron Lappin of Lock Search Group is partnering with another proud, and innovative food manufacturer in the Great Vancouver Region. As our client continues its scaling and growth, they are now seeking to bring on an experienced, hands‑on Plant Manager to lead their production operation at their Greater Vancouver operation. Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer, this newly created leadership role offers the opportunity to make a significant impact by strengthen the team through coaching and mentoring, as well by introducing new systems, and optimization strategies, within this non‑union operation.

The Plant Manager will oversee all day‑to‑day operations within the facility, including production, manufacturing, safety, and warehousing. This role is instrumental in driving continuous improvement initiatives focused on operational efficiency, productivity, safety, and overall plant performance. The successful candidate will bring strong leadership capabilities, a solid understanding of production, and lean manufacturing principles; in addition, a proven ability to optimize resources and improve processes. They will be an effective communicator and team leader, able to motivate and develop a diverse workforce while maintaining high standards of quality, compliance, and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Direct and oversee all day‑to‑day plant operations to ensure safety, quality, productivity, and efficiency targets are achieved
• Lead production, maintenance, warehouse, and operational teams while fostering a culture of ‘being kind and collaborative’ but also one of accountability and continuous improvement
• Develop and implement operational systems, processes, and best practices that improve performance and workforce capability
• Ensure compliance with all food safety, regulatory, and company standards
• Introduced and monitor KPIs, production metrics, and operational performance to identify opportunities for optimization
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with senior leadership to support organizational growth initiatives and strategic objectives
• Build and mentor high‑performing teams through coaching, development, and succession planning
• Drive customer satisfaction by ensuring products are delivered safely, efficiently, and to the highest quality standards

Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience within food and beverage manufacturing, or consumer packaged goods (CPG) environments, either as a currently Plant Manager or in a Production/Operation Manager with a minimum of 5 years previous experience in a food manufacturing setting
• Strong operational background overseeing production, maintenance, and warehousing functions within a SQF & HACCP environment
• Demonstrated success leading teams and improving operational performance in a manufacturing setting
• Knowledge of food safety standards, quality systems, and regulatory compliance requirements
• Excellent communication, problem‑solving, and leadership skills
• Continuous improvement mindset with experience implementing operational efficiencies and process improvements
• Track record working with ERP systems, as well implementing and operating new systems
• Excellent leadership and communication skills with the ability to motivate and inspire a diverse team
• Allocate resources effectively and make full use of assets to achieve optimal results
• Familiarity with industry standard equipment and technical expertise, also with Canadian labor laws, health & safety regulations
• Be knowledgeable of safety, quality, productivity and processes
• Post secondary education with a degree or masters, ideally in food science, engineering or business administration is a major plus,

Compensation & Benefits:

• Competitive compensation package including a salary ranging from $130 to 165K (level is dependent on experience), annual bonus and extended health benefits is included
• Opportunity for long‑term career growth within an expanding organization is readily available, including moving to multisite plant leadership

This is an excellent opportunity for an operational leader who thrives in fast‑paced manufacturing environments and is passionate about driving safety, quality, efficiency, and team development.

Applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada without sponsorship.