Plant Manager

De Lacy Executive Recruitment • Full-time • Markham, ON, Canada • 1d ago

\r\n\r\nOur client, a leading childcare catering company, is dedicated to providing healthy, delicious, child-friendly meals and snacks to childcare centers and schools. Their mission is to nourish lives through excellent nutrition and flavors children love, combining quality food with exceptional service. The organization is growing and committed to operational excellence, a strong culture, and becoming a dominant brand in the industry.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nThe Role\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nThe Plant Manager oversees day-to-day operations within the production facility, ensuring safe, efficient, and high-quality manufacturing and distribution of meals and snacks. The role is accountable for productivity, capacity planning, people leadership, cost control, and regulatory compliance across all production areas, including receiving, preparation, cooking, packaging, and quality assurance.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nAs an operations leader, the Plant Manager manages a multidisciplinary team and partners closely with cross-functional stakeholders to support operational excellence and strategic business objectives.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nSuccess in this role is demonstrated by a well-run, compliant, and high-performing facility that consistently meets customer expectations. The Plant Manager drives continuous improvement, embeds food safety principles, and builds a culture of teamwork, accountability, and operational discipline.\r\n\r\n\r\nKey Responsibilities\r\n\r\nOperations Oversight\r\n\r\n\r\n\tOversee daily production to achieve volume, quality, safety, and service targets\r\n\tEnsure all processes meet regulatory and internal standards\r\n\tManage plant capacity, labor planning, and workflow to meet demand while minimizing inefficiencies\r\n\tPartner with FSQA to maintain compliance with HACCP, GMP, GFSI, and relevant regulatory requirements\r\n\tEnsure equipment uptime through proactive maintenance planning\r\n\tMaintain a clean, organized, and audit-ready facility\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nCross-Functional Collaboration\r\n\r\n\r\n\tWork closely with Nutritional Services, FSQA, Purchasing, Logistics, HR, and other stakeholders\r\n\tSupport menu rollouts, process changes, and new equipment implementations\r\n\tProvide operational insights to senior leadership\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nSafety, Compliance & Risk Mitigation\r\n\r\n\r\n\tEnsure full compliance with health & safety regulations and company policies\r\n\tChampion a “Zero Harm” mindset, proactively identifying hazards and reducing risk\r\n\tOversee plant security, traceability, and product integrity\r\n\tLead the facility’s response during audits, inspections, and emergency situations\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nTalent Management\r\n\r\n\r\n\tLead, coach, and develop staff for maximum efficiency and alignment with objectives\r\n\tSupervise and allocate responsibilities across teams\r\n\tEnsure proper employee documentation, payroll, attendance, and vacation management\r\n\tRecruit, train, and develop team members\r\n\tMaintain regular communication with the team through daily huddles, weekly meetings, 1:1s, and feedback sessions\r\n\tConduct performance reviews and manage performance issues professionally\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nContinuous Improvement & Innovation\r\n\r\n\r\n\tMake data-driven recommendations for process and efficiency improvements\r\n\tLead change initiatives and encourage team participation in continuous improvement projects\r\n\tExplore and implement new technologies to accelerate operations\r\n\tCollaborate across functions to support operational and customer-facing improvements\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nLeadership & Culture\r\n\r\n\r\n\tModel and promote company values and culture\r\n\tLead by example in daily operations, problem-solving, and employee engagement\r\n\tEnsure confidentiality, diplomacy, and professional conduct\r\n\tParticipate in special projects and cross-functional initiatives\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nQualifications & Requirements\r\n\r\n\r\n\tCollege diploma or university degree\r\n\t7–10+ years leadership experience in food manufacturing, CPG, or other high-volume regulated production environments\r\n\t2+ years culinary, food science, or product development experience\r\n\tRed Seal Certification and Safe Food Handler knowledge/certification are assets\r\n\tStrong knowledge of HACCP, GMP, GFSI, BRC or SQF standards\r\n\tProven ability to manage large teams in just-in-time production environments\r\n\tExperience with lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, or Six Sigma methodologies is a plus\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nSkills & Abilities\r\n\r\n\r\n\tStrong leadership and team development skills\r\n\tExcellent planning and organizational abilities\r\n\tIntermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office, ERP systems, recipe management software\r\n\tKnowledge of food allergies and safety standards\r\n\tCustomer-focused and service-oriented\r\n\tStrong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities\r\n\tAble to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nCompetencies\r\n\r\n\r\n\tContinuous Improvement: Seeks ways to enhance operational efficiency\r\n\tChange Management: Embraces and drives change effectively\r\n\tResults Focus: Holds self and team accountable to meet objectives\r\n\tMotivating Others: Engages and empowers team members\r\n\tCommunication: Clearly expresses ideas and information\r\n\tCustomer Focus: Demonstrates strong orientation to internal and external customers\r\n\tDigital Literacy: Effectively uses technology and digital tools\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nKey Performance Indicators (KPIs)\r\n\r\n\r\n\tProduction volume and capacity utilization\r\n\tSafety, quality, and productivity performance\r\n\tLabor efficiency and cost management\r\n\tOn-time, in-full production metrics\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nPersonal Style & Leadership Traits\r\n\r\n\r\n\tHigh integrity and trustworthy\r\n\tHands-on and willing to roll up sleeves\r\n\tDriven, self-motivated, and results-oriented\r\n\tGrowth mindset with curiosity about data, trends, and processes\r\n\tStrong emotional intelligence and low ego\r\n\tAbility to thrive in fast-paced, ambiguous environments\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nInterested in this Opportunity? Submit an Application Package by clicking on APPLY TO THIS POSITION.\r\n