Senior Director, Manufacturing Operations (Plant) Peterborough (Canada)

The Plant Senior Director is responsible for leading the site operations including juice, dairy manufacturing and warehousing. This role is responsible for overall management & leadership of the plant operations, overseeing and managing various operational aspects such as safety, quality, production, maintenance, HR/Admin & warehousing for 24/7 manufacturing facility producing Minute Maid and Fairlife products at Peterborough, Ontario. The incumbent will provide leadership and directs strategy to execute plant's strategic plans while meeting compliance. The leader will be responsible for ensuring and improving the overall site performance, productivity and operational compliance of the facility. This is an onsite role.

Key Responsibilities and Position-Related Functions

• Develop and execute 1-year and 3-year business plans in line with national/regional/local objectives, including strategy, process, and program development.
• Motivate, direct, coach, and develop a diverse, high-performing leadership team to meet goals and build organizational capability.
• Effectively communicate plant goals and objectives across all levels of the organization, ensuring alignment on relevant performance data.
• Review business results regularly and work with plant personnel to optimize supply chain performance.
• Foster a safety-focused environment and promote an engaged safety culture.
• Ensure proactive, transparent, and timely communication to stakeholders regarding potential gaps or issues.
• Cultivate a culture that values operational excellence through continuous process improvement.
• Adopt and share best practices from within and outside the company.
• Demonstrate behaviors necessary for effective change implementation.
• Ensure manufacturing processes comply with company specifications and customer expectations.
• Meet the needs and service requirements of both internal and external customers.
• Ensure compliance with company and regulatory policies.
• Represent the company responsibly in community affairs and maintain environmentally sustainable efforts.
• Oversee budget preparation, planning, and financial performance monitoring to ensure facility meets or exceeds budgetary commitments.
• Analyze reports and recommend operational activities to achieve optimal performance and annual key performance indicators.
• Lead site audits process and drive compliance with ISO and KORE standards
• Develop partnership with finance, marketing, supply chain services and labor relations for business growth and governance

• 10+ years' experience in a manufacturing environment is required
• 5+ years' experience in leadership roles for value added aseptic beverage processing/Fluid Milk or Juices required
• Bachelor's Degree; Engineering, Food Science, Dairy Science, Science required, with proven knowledge of beverage manufacturing, dairy knowledge is highly desirable
• Experience leading and managing Multi million dollars capital projects required
• Experience working in a unionized environment preferred
• Experience working under manufacturing operating models based on KPIs, Continuous Improvement tools, Quality Tools and Gap Closure Action Plans
• Leadership experience within complex manufacturing facilities
• Working knowledge of Food Safety Principles, CFIA/PMO/OMAFRA/DFO/local and other regulations an asset
• Ability to implement fundamental TQM and Lean Manufacturing principals across the operations
• Good Understanding of GMPs, CIP operations, functionality and chemistry
• Strong interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent organizational and multi-tasking skills
• Demonstrated leadership experience and success working in a fast-paced environment, managing 24/7 operations
• Understanding of key business drivers for gauging effectiveness and performance of groups and suppliers
• Proficiency in SAP and MS Office
• Business acumen and strategic problem-solving abilities
• Strong influencing and negotiation skills