Operations Director

Salary :

Activity area : Construction and engineering, Industrial and manufacturing

Post category : Executive search, Production and engineering

Province : Quebec

Region : Montreal, Montreal and surroundings

Recruiter : Audrey Chretien

Contact us : achretien@st-amour.com

Job description :

Our client, a well-established company in the manufacturing sector, is seeking an experienced Director of Operations to oversee the management, performance, and development of two facilities located in the Greater Montreal area.

Reporting to the Vice President of Operations, the successful candidate will play a key role in optimizing operational performance, developing management teams, and executing the organization's strategic initiatives.

We are looking for a results-driven, hands-on leader with a proven ability to combine strategic vision with strong operational execution and an active presence on the production floor.

Key Responsibilities :

Operational Leadership and Management

• Provide overall leadership and direction for two manufacturing facilities, ensuring operational excellence and consistent performance.
• Lead, coach, and develop a multidisciplinary management team overseeing production, quality, inventory, and logistics.
• Establish operational objectives, monitor key performance indicators (KPIs), and implement corrective actions to achieve business goals.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, workplace safety, and continuous improvement.
• Support management development, succession planning, and organizational effectiveness.

Operational Performance and Continuous Improvement

• Drive improvements in productivity, product quality, manufacturing costs, and on-time delivery.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives and identify opportunities to optimize processes and operational efficiency.
• Oversee inventory management, logistics, and production activities across both facilities.
• Collaborate closely with Sales, Customer Service, and Planning teams to ensure customer commitments are consistently met.
• Ensure compliance with occupational health and safety standards and applicable regulatory requirements.

Financial Management and Capital Projects

• Participate in the development of operational budgets and ensure effective cost management.
• Monitor financial and operational performance, identify variances, and implement appropriate corrective measures.
• Identify, evaluate, and lead capital investment projects (CAPEX) focused on facility improvements, equipment modernization, and production capacity expansion.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and in accordance with established objectives.

Labour Relations and Organizational Development

• Maintain proactive and constructive labour relations within a unionized manufacturing environment.
• Oversee collective agreement administration and contribute to the resolution of labour relations issues.
• Participate in collective bargaining processes in collaboration with senior leadership.
• Anticipate workforce requirements and support recruitment, training, talent development, and succession planning initiatives.

Strategic Execution

• Translate senior leadership's strategic priorities into actionable operational plans.
• Monitor the execution of strategic initiatives and assess their impact on organizational performance.
• Identify operational risks, growth opportunities, and opportunities for improvement.
• Act as a strategic business partner to the Vice President of Operations, providing operational insights and recommendations.

The Opportunity :

This position offers an exciting opportunity for an accomplished operations leader looking to make a meaningful impact on the performance and continued development of a manufacturing organization.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to lead multidisciplinary teams, contribute to strategic business decisions, and drive key operational initiatives in an environment where operational excellence, continuous improvement, and hands-on leadership are essential.

Location: Greater Montreal Area – regular on-site presence required at both facilities.

Skills and qualifications :

Qualifications and Experience :

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business Administration, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing operations, including at least 5 years in a Plant Management or Multi-Site Operations Management role.
• Demonstrated experience managing unionized teams and handling labour relations matters.
• Strong financial acumen, including budget management, cost optimization, and capital investment projects.
• Proven track record in continuous improvement and operational performance management.
• Excellent leadership, communication, team development, and change management skills.
• Proficiency with ERP systems and operational performance analysis tools.
• Fluency in both French and English, written and spoken, required to collaborate effectively with local teams and senior leadership.
• Valid driver's licence and ability to travel daily between the two facilities.