Production Manager

Confidential; Vaughan; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential in Vaughan, Canada is seeking a Production Manager to lead safety, quality, and continuous improvement in a high‑volume food manufacturing setting. You will drive operational excellence, mentor supervisors, and partner with maintenance, QA, supply chain and sanitation teams to optimize processes.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years of manufacturing leadership, strong knowledge of food safety (GMPs/audits), and experience with Lean, Six Sigma, and ERP systems.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5+ years of management and supervisory experience in a unionized manufacturing environment.
• Proven track record in food processing or related industries with high-volume production.
• Knowledge of food safety regulations, GMPs, and continuous improvement methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma).

Responsibilities

• Safety leadership: uphold OH&S policies and proactive safety programs.
• Food safety & QA: ensure audits, GMPs, and sanitation standards compliance.
• Operational excellence: drive targets, waste reduction, and cost control.
• People development: mentor supervisors and hourly staff.
• Union relations: maintain positive labor relations under the collective agreement.
• Cross-functional collaboration: partner with maintenance, QA, supply chain and sanitation.
• Standardize processes and drive efficiency, leadership and influence.
• Problem-solving: rapid, innovative responses to production challenges.
• Communication: transparent, cross-level communication.
• Adaptability: lead change and transformation initiatives.

Skills

Safety Leadership

Food Safety

Quality Assurance

Lean & Six Sigma

People Development

Union relations

Cross-functional Collaboration

ERP familiarity

MS Office

Education

Post-secondary Education in Engineering or Food Science

AIB Certification (asset)

Tools

ERP Systems

Microsoft Excel

Job description

The Production Manager is responsible for driving in a safe way, operational excellence, ensuring food safety, and promoting a culture of continuous improvement.

Position Responsibilities:

• Safety Leadership: Ensure compliance with Occupational Health & Safety Act, and local regulations. Manage and reinforce in a proactive way safety programs and maintain an exemplary safety record.
• Food Safety & Quality Assurance: Adhere to Food Safety and Quality Standard , GMPs, and sanitation protocols. Drive zero-defect culture and ensure compliance with audits and certifications.
• Operational Excellence: Achieve production targets through efficient resource management and waste reduction. Support the implementation of continuous improvement programs (Lean, Six Sigma, TPM, Kaizen) to enhance productivity and reduce costs.
• People Development & Engagement: Lead and mentor production supervisors and hourly associates, fostering a culture of accountability and collaboration.
• Union & Associate Relations: Maintain positive labor relations and ensure compliance with the collective agreement. Encourage open communication and engagement to build trust and resolve conflicts constructively.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Maintenance, Quality Assurance, Supply Chain, Sanitation teams among others to ensure seamless operations. Support asset management initiatives, including preventive maintenance and reliability programs.
• Operational Excellence: Ability to standardize processes and drive efficiency.
• Leadership & Influence: Inspire teams to model a continuous improvement environment while achieving goals.
• Problem-Solving: Rapid response to production challenges with innovative solutions.
• Communication: Transparent and effective across all levels of the organization.
• Adaptability: Navigate change and lead transformation initiatives.

Education & Technical Background:

• Post-secondary education in Engineering, Food Science, or a related technical discipline.
• Formal technical baking education (e.g., AIB Certification) is a strong asset.
• Knowledge of food safety regulations, GMPs, and continuous improvement methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma).

Experience:

• Minimum 5+ years of management and supervisory experience (unionized manufacturing environment preferred).
• Proven track record in food processing or related industries, with emphasis on high-volume production.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and driving operational excellence.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Excel, Word) and familiarity with ERP systems.
• Superior communication skills to thrive in a multi-cultural environment.
• Strong leadership presence with ability to develop and mentor talent for succession planning.
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative, make sound decisions, and manage complex operational challenges.
• Strategic thinker with a continuous improvement mindset.
• Ability to foster a positive labor relations environment.
• High level of adaptability and resilience in a dynamic production setting.