Production Manager

Lactalis Canada; Niagara-on-the-Lake; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Lactalis Canada seeks a Production Manager responsible for overseeing a processing department in a manufacturing plant. This role involves ensuring safety, quality, and efficiency, along with budget management and team leadership. The ideal candidate will have strong leadership skills and a background in engineering or food science, complemented by practical experience in the dairy sector.

Benefits

Performance-Based Bonus System

4 Weeks of Vacation

Pension Program with an Employer Match at 100% of up to 6%

Tuition reimbursement plan of up to $3,000 / year

A Volunteer Day to give back to your community

Learning and Development opportunities

Commitment to internal career advancement with potential for international mobility

Qualifications

• 5 years' experience in production leadership, preferably in dairy.
• Ability to implement best practices in operations management.
• Knowledge of high-speed filling and CIP processes.

Responsibilities

• Manage production for safety, quality, efficiency, and cost.
• Lead and coach staff while ensuring safety and quality standards.
• Develop, communicate, and execute annual goals and strategies.

Skills

Leadership

Problem Solving

Analytical Skills

Communication

Organizational Skills

Education

College diploma or University degree in Engineering, Food Science or Biochemistry

Tools

Microsoft Office (Word & Excel)

SAP

Job description

About Us :

Welcome to Lactalis Canada – where we take pride in being recognized as one of 2025 GTA's Top

Employers! As well as Forbes Canada, Top Canadian Employers for 2025! Our journey revolves around enhancing the lives of Canadians through a rich variety of dairy delights, including some of Canadian’s favourite dairy brands such as like Black Diamond Cheese, Lactantia Milk, Astro Yogurt, Balderson Cheese, and Cheestrings. In fact, we’re proud to say our products grace the shelves of an incredible 94% of Canadian households!

With a 140-year legacy driven by innovation and unwavering quality, we’re seeking like-minded individuals to join us in shaping our next chapter.

About the opportunity :

The Production Manager has overall accountability for assigned processing department in a plant of standard operation and / or small volume. The position is responsible for department results in safety, product quality, reliability, productivity and operating costs. Responsibilities also include management of projects (capital, cost savings and CI) and championing process improvements as well as raising the level of accountability productivity and decision making of all reports.

The attributes we are looking for :

• Manage production by measuring, analyzing and executing corrective actions for Safety, Quality, Efficiency, and People. Plan and execute production and labour schedules to produce the required volume ensuring that measures are met including cost control, within specification and quality requirements including HACCP, PQMS, and customer requirements.
• Provide leadership to improve health and safety performance by being a role model in safety and demonstrating due diligence through applying the corporate health & safety program elements. These focus on incident prevention through hazard identification, implementing necessary controls, training, education, and audits. Where necessary, take corrective action to address unsafe situations and employee behaviours, uphold Parmalat’s cardinal and other safety rules and procedures, and communicate with appropriate resources to address any hazardous conditions or unsafe employee conduct.
• Provide leadership and supervision to staff by hiring, reviewing performance and providing feedback, determining training and development needs, and providing coaching and work direction. Promote a team focus on excellence in all activities including those required to support safety, operational productivity, quality, loss reduction, people development, and cost improvement.
• Support plant and corporate objectives by developing, communicating, and executing annual goals and strategies.
• Manage the department’s budget by controlling, monitoring and justifying expenditures versus plan and manage accordingly.

What you will bring :

• College diploma or University degree preferably in Engineering, Food Science or Biochemistry
• Five (5) years’ experience in production leadership position in manufacturing, preferably dairy, including experience in improving plant performance and developing organizations and people
• Ability to implement best practices in operations management
• Knowledge of high-speed filling, packaging equipment and processing systems
• Knowledge of CIP processes, SAP or automation systems
• Leadership, planning and execution skills including strong communication and organizational skills
• Strong analytical, problem solving and decision-making skills
• Financial and budgetary skills
• Bilingual (where applicable)
• Knowledge of Kaizen and SMED concepts
• Proficient with standard office computer technology such as Microsoft Office (Word & Excel), as well as business systems such as SAP

What Lactalis will offer :

Lactalis Canada believes in rewarding its people with the following comprehensive benefits package and perks :

• A Performance-Based Bonus System
• 4 Weeks of Vacation
• A Pension Program with an Employer Match at 100% of up to 6%
• Tuition reimbursement plan of up to $3,000 / year
• A Volunteer Day to give back to your community
• Learning and Development opportunities
• A commitment to internal career advancement with potential for international mobility

Our ESG commitment :

Our ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) roadmap drives our sustainability mission. We aim to positively impact communities and the planet by enabling stakeholders including our people, consumers, customers, suppliers, dairy farmers, government, and industry partners to have a positive impact on the wellbeing of our communities and the planet through all that we do.

At Lactalis Canada, we value our employees as catalysts for positive change. Together, we will create a sustainable future, promote belonging, and make a lasting impact on the world.

Our commitment to DEI :

Fuel Our Culture with Your Uniqueness! Lactalis thrives on the value each person brings. We're dedicated to amplifying diverse voices, inviting personal and professional growth, and embracing everyone's true selves. We're committed to crafting an environment that genuinely welcomes all, reflecting the richness of our people and communities.

Our promise extends to accessible processes and spaces. If you require accommodation due to a disability (which may be visible or invisible, temporary, or permanent), please inform our Talent Acquisition team – confidentiality will be maintained.

Note : Lactalis Canada does not conduct credit or background checks through LinkedIn. If required, we'll contact you after signing a Job Offer.

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