Regional Director, Cadre Operating Model (COM)

Safariland; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Safariland is seeking a Regional Director to operate within the Ottawa region, where you'll lead the deployment of the Cadre Operating Model across various sites. This role focuses on driving transformational change by building leadership capabilities and establishing performance management systems.

The ideal candidate will possess strong expertise in Lean principles with at least 10 years of experience in operational excellence, coupled with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of leadership experience in Operational Excellence.
• Proven success in leading multi-site transformation initiatives.
• Deep expertise in Lean, Kaizen, and performance management.

Responsibilities

• Lead deployment of the Cadre Operating Model across sites.
• Establish KPI frameworks and governance rhythms.
• Drive cultural change and continuous improvement.

Skills

Leadership presence

Lean expertise

Change management

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field

Job description

TOGETHER, WE SAVE LIVES

At Cadre Holdings, we are transforming how our businesses operate; building a high-performance culture grounded in integrity, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Reporting to the Global Director, the Regional Director of the Cadre Operating Model (COM) will play a pivotal leadership role in driving this transformation across multiple business units and manufacturing sites located in the Ottawa region. This is a high-impact, high-visibility role; where you partner directly with executive leadership to translate strategy into measurable business results.

You won’t just deploy tools; you will build capability, shape culture, and deliver sustainable performance improvement.

What You’ll Do

• Lead the deployment and evolution of the Cadre Operating Model across multiple sites and business units
• Translate strategic objectives into actionable operational roadmaps that deliver measurable results
• Partner closely with executive and site leadership to align priorities and accelerate performance

Lead Operational Excellence at Scale

• Champion initiatives that improve Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, Inventory, and Employee Engagement
• Establish and standardize best-in-class continuous improvement methodologies across the region
• Ensure disciplined execution and sustainment of Lean principles, Daily Management, and problem-solving practices

Build Leaders and Organizational Capability

• Serve as a trusted advisor and coach to Plant Managers, COM leaders, and senior leadership
• Develop leadership capability in Lean, structured problem solving, and daily accountability systems
• Facilitate workshops, site assessments, and Kaizen events that accelerate learning and impact

Deliver Measurable Impact

• Identify and prioritize high-value improvement opportunities across the network
• Drive cross-functional initiatives and remove barriers to execution
• Ensure solutions are implemented, sustained, and delivering expected outcomes

Own Performance Management and Governance

• Develop KPI frameworks and operational scorecards that provide transparency and drive accountability
• Establish governance rhythms to track initiatives, savings, and maturity progression
• Provide clear, data-driven updates to executive leadership on progress and risks

Champion Culture and Change

• Build a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and engagement
• Lead change management efforts to ensure adoption of new ways of working
• Embed sustainable systems that enable long‑term growth and performance

What Success Looks Like

• Measurable improvement in key operational metrics across multiple sites
• Strong adoption and sustainment of the Cadre Operating Model
• Increased leadership capability and accountability at all levels
• A visible, engaged continuous improvement culture across the organization

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Operations, Business, or related field (Lean certification preferred)
• A min of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in Operational Excellence, Lean, or Manufacturing
• Proven success leading multi‑site or enterprise‑wide transformation initiatives
• Deep expertise in Lean, Kaizen, Daily Management, Value Stream Mapping, and Root Cause Analysis
• Strong leadership presence with the ability to influence at all levels
• Demonstrated ability to build teams, develop leaders, and drive cultural change
• Experience creating KPI dashboards, performance systems, and executive‑level reporting
• Willingness to travel extensively across sites

Leadership Competencies

• Enterprise Leadership & Strategic Thinking
• Change Leadership
• Coaching & Talent Development
• Influence Without Authority
• Results Orientation & Accountability
• Continuous Learning & Improvement Mindset

Why This Role is Compelling

This is not a traditional CI role. It is an opportunity to:

• Shape how Cadre operates globally
• Work directly with senior executives and influence business strategy
• Lead transformation across multiple businesses and facilities
• Build a legacy of operational excellence and leadership capability