\r\n\r\nOur client is a well-established food manufacturing organization seeking a Plant Manager to lead one of its key operations. This is a highly visible leadership role with full accountability for plant performance, safety, quality, and culture.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nThe successful candidate will be a hands-on, people-centered leader—someone who understands that sustainable results come from engaged teams, disciplined execution, and a relentless focus on continuous improvement. This role offers the opportunity to shape culture, develop future leaders, and position the facility for long-term growth.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nReporting to senior operations leadership, the Plant Manager will assume full responsibility for the day-to-day and strategic performance of the facility, leading unionized teams across production, maintenance, sanitation, warehouse/logistics, and quality.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nKey accountabilities include:\r\n\r\n\r\n\tProviding strong, visible leadership across all plant functions, fostering accountability, trust, and collaboration\r\n\tCreating and sustaining a culture of food safety, quality excellence, and workplace safety, ensuring compliance with BRC, HACCP, GMP, and Health & Safety regulations\r\n\tDelivering operational performance against key metrics including efficiency, yield, cost, waste, labour utilization, and service levels\r\n\tLeading, coaching, and developing supervisors and managers; building a high-performing pipeline of talent\r\n\tPartnering cross-functionally with Quality, Supply Chain, R&D, HR, and Finance to support business priorities and new product introductions\r\n\tOverseeing production planning, capacity management, and forecasting in alignment with customer demand\r\n\tDriving Continuous Improvement initiatives, including Lean manufacturing, automation, and reliability-focused maintenance practices\r\n\tManaging the plant operating budget, with accountability for labour, materials, utilities, waste, and maintenance spend\r\n\tNavigating labour relations effectively within a unionized environment, balancing performance expectations with a respectful, people-first approach\r\n\tSupporting capital projects, operational readiness for growth, and future expansion initiatives\r\n\tActing as a credible, professional representative of the plant with suppliers, auditors, and regulatory bodies\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWhat Success Looks Like\r\n\r\nSuccess in this role will be measured through:\r\n\r\n\r\n\tConsistent achievement of operational KPIs (efficiency, yield, cost-per-unit, labour utilization)\r\n\tStrong food safety and quality outcomes, including audit performance\r\n\tReduced downtime, waste, and rework\r\n\tHigh levels of employee engagement, retention, and bench strength\r\n\tA safe workplace with strong leading and lagging safety indicators\r\n\tEffective cost control and budget adherence\r\n\r\n\r\nThe ideal candidate will bring a strong blend of operational discipline, emotional intelligence, and leadership maturity.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nRequired experience and attributes include:\r\n\r\n\r\n\t7–10+ years of progressive leadership experience in food manufacturing, including senior plant-level responsibility\r\n\tProven success leading operations in a unionized manufacturing environment\r\n\tBackground in bakery, fresh/frozen foods, or CPG manufacturing strongly preferred\r\n\tDemonstrated ability to lead end-to-end plant operations including production, maintenance, warehouse, and quality\r\n\tTrack record of delivering Continuous Improvement, Lean, and automation initiatives\r\n\tSolid understanding of production planning, ERP systems, forecasting, and inventory management\r\n\tSound financial acumen with experience managing operating budgets\r\n\tStrong working knowledge of BRC, HACCP, GMP, and occupational health & safety requirements\r\n\tA visible, communicative leader who connects well within a diverse, multicultural workforce\r\n\tCalm, practical approach to change management and problem-solving\r\n\r\n
