Job Description

Director, Manufacturing & Operations

Location: Vancouver, BC
Permanent, on-site

Position Overview

Our client is seeking a Director, Manufacturing & Operations to provide strategic and operational leadership across manufacturing, production, supply chain, procurement, facilities, and transportation functions. This role is responsible for ensuring operational excellence managed within a metrics driven environment  while directly supporting growth objectives, product range diversity, and driving continuous improvement initiatives.

The Director, Manufacturing & Operations will work closely with senior leadership to develop and execute operational strategies that optimize productivity, quality, delivery performance, all to economic drivers. This individual will lead cross-functional teams and establish scalable processes that support both current operations and future growth.

Key Responsibilities

Manufacturing & Production

• Set-up a Vancouver based manf./production facility, support small volume production forecast, establishing this facility as a ‘blueprint’ for both replication at a larger site and expansion to other geographies areas in Canada and Europe.
• Lead all manufacturing and production operations to ensure safety, quality, productivity, and customer delivery objectives are achieved.
• Establish performance metrics and operational KPIs as the backbone to manufacturing performance.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on efficiency, quality, and cost optimization.
• Oversee production planning, scheduling, and capacity management activities.

Supply Chain & Procurement

• Direct procurement, sourcing, materials management, inventory control, and supplier performance activities.
• Develop and maintain strategic supplier relationships to ensure reliable supply and competitive pricing.
• Identify opportunities to improve supply chain efficiency, reduce risk, and strengthen inventory management practices.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to align material availability with production requirements.

Facilities & Transportation

• Oversee facility operations, maintenance programs, equipment utilization, and capital improvement initiatives.
• Ensure facilities operate in compliance with applicable safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee transportation, warehousing, and logistics activities to support operational and customer requirements.
• Evaluate and implement process improvements to enhance operational performance and reduce costs.

Leadership & Business Performance

• In partnership with senior mgmt and HR, recruit a new team for initial manf. operations, while developing plans for continuous resource expansion over the next 3 years
• Leader by example, mentor, and develop high-performing operations teams.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Partner with executive leadership to develop operational plans, budgets, and long-term growth strategies.
• Monitor operational performance and provide regular reporting on key business metrics.
• Support organizational initiatives related to growth, process improvement, and operational transformation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Supply Chain, Business, or a related discipline.
• Progressive leadership experience within manufacturing, operations, supply chain, or industrial environments.
• Demonstrated experience leading multiple operational functions, including manufacturing, procurement, logistics, and facilities.
• Strong understanding of operational excellence, continuous improvement, and manufacturing best practices.
• Experience managing budgets, operational planning, and performance metrics.
• Excellent leadership, communication, problem-solving, and stakeholder management skills.
• Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems and operational reporting tools.

Preferred Experience

• Experience within manufacturing, industrial, construction, building products, engineered products, or related sectors.
• Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement certifications.
• Experience leading operational growth, facility expansion, or transformation initiatives.

Key Success Factors

• Hands-on leader, self-starter, works effectively with leadership peers, strong collaborator
• Problem solver, creative, confident in his/her own abilities
• Comfortable starting from a zero position today – building a new facility, owning the journey and its operational performance.
• Improved operational efficiency and manufacturing performance.
• Strong supply chain reliability and inventory management.
• Achievement of quality, safety, and delivery objectives.
• Development of scalable operational processes and systems.
• Effective leadership and development of operations teams.