Vice President of Operations

Summit Search Group; Vaughan; On-site; CAD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading cheese production company is searching for a Vice President of Operations to execute the operational strategy and drive performance across various aspects of the business. The ideal candidate will demonstrate considerable experience in food manufacturing, particularly in dairy, and possess a strong operational and financial background to enhance productivity and quality while navigating regulatory challenges.

Qualifications

• 15+ years experience in management and plant operations in food manufacturing.
• Knowledge of CFIA Regulations, HACCP, and GMP.
• University degree with an MBA considered an asset.

Responsibilities

• Drive performance across operations and supply chain.
• Collaborate with Senior Leadership to improve efficiency.
• Oversee compliance with industry regulations.

Skills

Operational management

Financial acumen

Process improvement

Team leadership

Supply chain management

Education

University or college degree in engineering or business management

MBA

Tools

MS Office

ERP systems

Job description

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About Our Client: Our client is a Canadian-based producer of award-winning specialty cheeses known for combining traditional Italian craftsmanship with modern innovation.

Position Scope:

Reporting directly to the Senior Leadership Team, the Vice President of Operations will be a pivotal force in shaping and executing the operational strategy of the organization. This role is responsible for driving performance across operations and supply chain, ensuring compliance with industry regulations and standards, and optimizing systems to support quality, production, and delivery goals aligned with both current objectives and future growth.

The ideal candidate brings a strong blend of operational, business, and financial acumen, paired with an entrepreneurial mindset and a passion for continuous improvement. The VP, Operations will be a catalyst for change, capable of navigating resistance with resilience and empathy. They must be comfortable leading through ambiguity and fostering cross-functional collaboration, particularly in connecting operations with sales and other business units to drive integrated, customer-focused solutions.

The VP of Operations will oversee a team of direct reports and will be expected to lead by example—building trust, promoting accountability, and championing a culture of excellence and innovation.

Responsibilities:

• Design and implement operations, quality, and compliance strategies to achieve the overall objectives for the organization
• Advise Senior Leadership Team on strategic business development and key corporate planning issues that relate to and impact Operations
• Collaborate with the Senior Leadership Team to increase the overall efficiency and productivity of the organization
• Provide team leadership to evaluate and take action that is consistent with the Company’s overall strategy
• Set performance goals/ key performance indicators (KPI’s) tailored to the operations department and tied to long-term goals of the Company
• Lead plant production and supply chain strategies
• Drive key initiatives to support implementation of productivity/quality improvements to minimize costs and enhance efficiency
• Proactively identify operational risks. Propose risk management strategies to address current risks and mitigate future risks
• Ensure all operations are aligned with the appropriate provincial, national, and international regulations (as applicable)
• Introduce greater visibility to results inclusive of KPI s and broader manufacturing analytics to measure performance against commitments and actively use results to redirect resources as required
• Align production, project management, and manufacturing plans to the organization’s strategy
• Set the plant production strategy to support due diligence and mitigate health and safety risks
• Oversee the implementation of effective layout, workflow, equipment, and assembly procedures
• Review production costs and product quality and modify production to maintain and enhance profitable operation of plant
• Assist with monthly production plan and shipping schedule and adjust the work force accordingly
• Monitor and control the daily production activities such that production variances are at or below budgeted levels
• Closely monitor efficiency of each product line operations to assure that jobs are run at or better than standard
• Mentor and coach plant managers to support their growth and development
• Work closely with Sales and QA to ensure that customer KPIs are achieved
• Lead capital project management, including capital expenditures

Supply Chain

• Review inventory control programs to maintain and enhance profitable operation of plants
• Collaborate with the VP of HR to forecast plant workforce needs and adjust accordingly
• Report to senior leaders on internal and external supply chain measures
• Lead the integration of supply chain automation with human capital. Coach managers and teams to better collaborate with machines/technology
• Establish improvement measures for cycle count inventory control procedures
• Mentor and coach supply chain manager to support their growth and development
• Oversee inventory expenditures with the objective of increasing turns and reducing exposure to future obsolescence

Operational Technology

• Proactively identify and implement new information technology requirements for the Company, to create efficiencies (e.g., supply chain automation and robotics). May include obtaining or renewing all required business licenses and permits
• Lead manufacturing and processing plants to achieve KPIs
• Establish operational excellence and consistency across plants
• Align the operational strategy to the overall company strategy and provide ongoing communication to plant managers regarding targets
• Oversee expansion and support change management initiatives to ensure successful implementation
• Leverage the company’s ERP system to optimize data management, expand the ERP system’s capabilities, and oversee the entire process from start to finish.

Quality Assurance

• Improve quality by setting the strategic direction for research and advising on new skills, processes, or methods
• Oversee the corporate product quality systems, including the setting of quality goals, managing and improving all aspects of the quality system and product quality with an emphasis on customer use and expectations.
• Ensure product quality to meet or exceed customer expectations
• Ensure compliance with regulatory agencies and all applicable standards worldwide
• Implement quality design and quality assurance strategy for new product development and sustain business activities
• Lead process enhancement initiatives to maintain an environment of continuous improvement throughout the organization
• Oversee Change Control approvals for production processes and equipment, ensuring that procedures are followed, and changes are documented, approved and assessed appropriately

Other

• Communicate regularly with employees on strategy, direction, results etc.
• Provide support, feedback, guidance, and coaching/professional development opportunities to all direct reports
• Focus on teamwork, employee involvement/development and process ownership
• Clearly communicate the strategic vision, translate it into practicable, tactical actions, and effectively deploy the operations team against those activities.
• Embrace and enhance the family business culture and core values
• Adhere to all Company established policies and procedures
• Other duties as required

Education and Experience:

• University or college degree in engineering and/or business management, preferably with a focus on manufacturing. An MBA would be considered an asset
• 15+ years of experience in management and plant operations in food manufacturing. Dairy or cheese manufacturing would be considered an asset
• Knowledge of MSOffice suite
• Knowledge of CFIA (Canadian Food Inspection Agency) Regulations, HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points), GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices), Health and Safety regulations, CIP (Cleaning in Place) and SIP (Sanitizing in Place) Systems, and preventative maintenance of machinery and equipment for food manufacturing plant

Summit Search Group is a fair and equitable search firm. We welcome and encourage applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the recruitment and selection process.