Plant Operations Manager

Job summary

The Plant Operations Manager coordinates projects from design through installation, overseeing safety, production, quality, and maintenance teams. The role focuses on driving operational excellence, achieving KPI-driven objectives, and ensuring on-time project delivery in a design-build environment.

Job details

Our client, a dynamic and internationally recognized Canadian manufacturer of capital equipment and engineered systems, is seeking an experienced Plant Operations Manager to join its growing operation. This leadership role will serve as the central point of coordination for projects from initial design through manufacturing, commissioning, and final installation, ensuring seamless execution across all phases. The Plant Operations Manager will provide leadership for Safety, Production, Quality, Maintenance, and Project Management teams while fostering a collaborative and accountable culture focused on achieving KPI-driven objectives. Working within a design-build environment, the Plant Operations Manager will champion operational excellence, ensure on-time project delivery, and drive continuous improvement initiatives that support both customer satisfaction and organizational growth. Our ideal candidate will possess a post-secondary education in a technical discipline combined with a minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in a similar manufacturing or project-based environment. Strong communication, people leadership, and decision-making capabilities are essential, as this role requires the ability to engage employees at all levels while providing transparent performance metrics and inspiring positive change. Equally comfortable on the production floor and in the boardroom, the Plant Operations Manager will build strong relationships with internal stakeholders, customers, and executive leadership while supporting EPC project teams through effective analysis, strategic planning, and operational leadership. A strong understanding of electrical concepts and switch gear purposes is considered an asset. This opportunity is ideally suited for an individual who thrives in a project-focused setting, enjoys developing high-performing teams, and is motivated by the challenge of improving productivity, engagement, and overall business performance. Our Client’s preferred Salary Target is $100,000 - $110,000 and we encourage all applicants interested in this opportunity to apply. Please note, the hiring salary will be based on the selected candidate’s experience and ability to support the organization. At Kitchener Executive Consultants Inc., we provide a bespoke and personalized recruitment experience where every candidate’s application is reviewed by our team of Search Consultants and measured to our clients’ specific hiring criteria and requirements. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not used in selecting a candidate within our detailed and professional recruitment process.

What you’ll do

The Plant Operations Manager coordinates projects from design through installation, overseeing safety, production, quality, and maintenance teams. The role focuses on driving operational excellence, achieving KPI-driven objectives, and ensuring on-time project delivery in a design-build environment.

Requirements

Candidates must have a post-secondary education in a technical discipline and at least 10 years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing or project-based environments. Strong communication and decision-making skills are essential, with knowledge of electrical concepts and switch gear considered an asset.

Listed skills

• Continuous Improvement · Preferred
• Operational Excellence · Preferred
• People leadership · Preferred
• Decision Making · Preferred
• Quality Control · Preferred
• Communication · Preferred
• Project management · Preferred
• KPI Management · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Plant Operations Management
• Project Management
• People Leadership
• Operational Excellence
• Continuous Improvement
• Strategic Planning
• KPI Management
• Safety Leadership
• Quality Control
• Maintenance Management
• Decision Making
• Communication
• Electrical Concepts
• Switch Gear Knowledge
• EPC Project Support

Job areas

• Manufacturing
• Management & Leadership
• Engineering