Director, Operations (Manufacturing)

Position Title: Director, Operations

Position Type:  Full-time, on-site

Position Location: 145 East Drive, Brampton

Requisition ID: 2422

Who We Are

Sofina Foods Inc. is a privately held, Canadian-based leader in food manufacturing, headquartered in Markham, Ontario. Founded in 1995, the company has grown into a global enterprise with over 18,000 employees across Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, and France. In Canada, Sofina produces a diverse portfolio of pork, beef, turkey, chicken, and seafood products under well-known brands including Lilydale®,  Mastro®, San Daniele®, Janes®, Exceldor®, Butterball®, Saha®, Grannys®, Cuddy®,  and Fletcher's®.

Guided by our Core Values of Integrity, Respect, and Accountability, Sofina's vision is to be the most successful food company in the world. The company pursues that vision through four Guiding Principles: Entrepreneurial Spirit, Family Values in Business, a Disciplined Approach, and Social Responsibility.

What Does It Mean to Be a Sofina Builder

At Sofina, we call our people Builders, which reflects a shared belief that every role, at every level, contributes to moving the company forward, and it is grounded in our Blueprint, the framework that unites our Vision, Mission, Core Values, and Guiding Principles.

Being a Builder means taking ownership, acting with integrity, and believing there is always a better way. It also means giving back. Through the Sofina Foundation, our employees and partners come together to support programs that champion children and strengthen the communities where we live and work. Wherever you sit in the organisation, the Blueprint connects you to a common purpose and a shared standard of excellence.

Role Overview 

Reporting to the VP, Operations, the Director, Operations serves as the senior site leader with end-to-end accountability for plant performance. The Director provides strategic and operational leadership across manufacturing, quality and food safety, maintenance and engineering, utilities, logistics, human resources, and customer service, while fostering a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence. Leading through a high-performing team, the Director is accountable for achieving and exceeding key performance indicators related to employee safety, cost, regulatory and environmental compliance, asset reliability, product quality, and customer service.

Key Responsibilities

Provide visible, values-based leadership across all shifts; build a respectful, safe, accountable and inclusive workplace; strengthen leadership capability; and maintain succession and development plans for critical operational and technical roles.

Foster a safe working environment through the development of strategies focused on accident reduction as well as energy and waste minimization. Ensures compliance to all OHS and environmental regulatory and corporate standards. Oversee in depth root cause analysis of any non-compliance, and effective and timely implementation of corrective and preventative measures.

Oversight of all QA programs and processes to ensure required food safety and product quality standards in accordance with all functional company standards and government regulations.

Strategically manage capacity to meet and exceed broader Sofina operations goals beyond specific plant location. Accountable for product yield, labour efficiency and overhead expenses.

Promote a culture of best-in-class preventative Maintenance programs, focusing on reliability improvement and capital reinvestment as required.

As a hands-on Coach of the Operational Team, in coordination with Human Resources, identify and develop the capability and skill set of direct reports to achieve business results. Manage performance and encourage development activities, providing feedback and guidance.

Foster an environment that supports the key company values and guiding principles.

Through influence and motivating others ensure effective communication throughout the organization.

Promote a collaborative employee and labour relations environment, building positive relationships with Union representatives.

Key Knowledge and Experience

Post Secondary Degree in a related field, and minimum of 10 years Plant or Technical Management experience; Food Processing industry preferred.

Senior leadership experience in a large, complex, unionized manufacturing operation

Demonstrated people management and development capability and proven success in leading and inspiring teams to excel.

Experience leading maintenance, reliability, engineering, and capital projects

Experience with development and deployment of Continuous Improvement principles and programs.

Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels of a matrix organization.

Critical thinker with the ability to apply strategic practices, ensuring execution and delivering results while respecting corporate values.

Strong business acumen coupled with an ability to translate business strategy into practical application.

Collaborative/entrepreneurial leadership mindset with demonstrated ability to lead change and drive sustained business results.

Hiring Range: CAD $120,100 - $170,100

Bonus: This position is eligible for a bonus up to 17.5% of base salary subject to the plan terms and conditions.

Please note: The expected hiring range provided is derived from a group of like roles within Sofina.  The final offer amount for this role will be dependent on geographical region, applicable experience, skillset of the candidate and internal equity.

This position is currently an active vacancy.