Winter Foreman

Tri-Green Landscape Group; Kitchener; On-site; CAD 34,440 - 52,348; Full time

Job summary

Tri-Green Landscape Group is seeking an experienced Winter Foreman to lead snow and ice management operations for the coming winter season. This is a working lead role; you will operate equipment yourself and direct crew priorities in real time during storm events to keep sites safe and clients happy.

The ideal candidate has 3+ years of hands-on winter operations experience, strong equipment operation skills, and a proven ability to prioritize under pressure.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of hands-on winter operations experience.
• Experience operating tractors, loaders, plow trucks, or sidewalk equipment.
• Prior lead-hand or crew-lead experience preferred.
• Valid driver's license; DZ/AZ an asset but not required.
• Familiar with MS Office/Outlook and dispatch software.

Responsibilities

• Operate and direct winter equipment per conditions.
• Prioritize work across sites in real time during storms.
• Lead crew while operating equipment.
• Inspect work for safety and quality.
• Report unusual site conditions.
• Ensure equipment is fueled and ready.
• Communicate progress with Operations Manager.
• Fill in on equipment when short-staffed.

Skills

Leadership

Calm communicator

Physical stamina

Safety minded

Tools

Tractors

Loaders

Plow trucks

Sidewalk equipment

Job description

SUMMARY

Tri-Green Landscape Group is looking for an experienced Winter Foreman to lead the ground-level execution of our snow and ice management operations for the coming winter season. This is a working lead role: you will operate equipment yourself, direct crew priorities in real time during storm events, and make the day-to-day judgment calls that keep sites safe and clients happy. Because this is a short-term seasonal position, we're looking for someone who can step in with minimal ramp-up — strong equipment operation background and the judgment to prioritize under pressure matter more here than in a longer-term role.

SCHEDULE & AVAILABILITY

• Scheduled shifts for the season, with flexibility to shift or extend hours around storm events and weather forecasts.
• Must be available to respond on short notice once a storm is called — winter operations run on the weather's schedule, not a fixed clock.
• 40 hours per week on a banked-hours basis: heavier hours during active storm stretches are balanced against lighter hours in calm periods.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Operate and direct the use of tractors, loaders, plow trucks, and other winter equipment as conditions require
• Prioritize work across sites in real time during an event — deciding what gets done first based on safety risk, contract requirements, and site conditions.
• Lead by example on a crew: run equipment directly while directing other operators and labourers on routes and priorities.
• Inspect completed work for quality and conformance to site and safety standards; correct issues on the spot.
• Monitor and report unusual site conditions (ice buildup, drifting, damaged fencing/signage, lighting issues) that could affect service or safety.
• Ensure equipment is fuelled, salt boxes are filled, and machines are staged and ready ahead of a forecasted event.
• Communicate clearly with the Operations Manager and dispatch on route progress, delays, and site issues via radio, phone, or email.
• Fill in on equipment personally when short-staffed — plow truck, loader, tractor, or sidewalk machine, depending on the gap.

EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum 3+ years of hands-on winter operations experience (snow/ice management, landscaping, or related field) — given the short seasonal term, we're prioritizing candidates who can operate independently from day one.
• Demonstrated experience operating tractors, loaders, plow trucks, and/or sidewalk equipment.
• Prior lead-hand, foreman, or crew-lead experience preferred — comfortable directing others without extensive formal management training.
• Valid driver's licence in good standing; DZ/AZ an asset but not required.
• Comfortable with MS Office/Outlook and basic dispatch or route-tracking software

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

• Sound judgment under pressure — able to prioritize competing site needs during an active storm without waiting for direction on every call.
• Comfortable operating equipment personally, not just directing others.
• Clear, calm communicator, especially over radio/phone during an event.
• Reliable and available on short notice throughout the season.
• Physically able to work in sub-zero, wet, and variable outdoor conditions for extended periods.

PHYSICAL DEMAND

• Regularly required to stand, walk, climb in/out of equipment, and handle tools or controls; frequent lifting up to 25 lbs and occasional lifting up to 50 lbs.
• Extended exposure to outdoor winter conditions, including sub-zero temperatures and wet/humid weather.