Director of operations Jobs in Waterloo, ON

SENIOR DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

SME Canadian Manufacturer

Industrial Products (Non-Automotive)

Oakville, ON

OUR CLIENT

Our client is a highly regarded Canadian manufacturer in the industrial products sector, recognized for their unwavering commitment to quality, precision, and customer excellence. With a proud legacy of manufacturing excellence and a strong people-first culture at the core of its success, the company continues to set the standard within its market segment. As they enter a significant phase of growth—expanding their presence in established markets while strategically moving into new ones- they are seeking a Senior Director of Operations to play a pivotal leadership role in aligning operational teams, and performance with long-term strategic objectives. This is a newly created position.

THE VISION

Reporting directly to the President, the Senior Director of Operations will align the efficiency and collaborative function of several key departments : Production, Supply Chain, Maintenance & Engineering, and Quality. The successful candidate will bring operational clarity and momentum to the team, fostering smooth workflows, efficient processes, and measurable outcomes across the business. This is an opportunity to step into a critical role that blends technical expertise with strategic insight and people leadership.

THE ROLE

This role will lead a high-performing team of professionals within a values-driven organization that places safety, innovation, and continuous improvement at the forefront of its operations. The Senior Director of Operations will be responsible for optimizing current production performance while building the operational foundation needed to support future growth. With a clear focus on long-term scalability, this leader will drive strategic initiatives in automation, capital investment, risk management, and capacity planning—ensuring the business remains agile, efficient, and well-positioned for sustained success.

THE CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate will be an experienced and well-rounded operations leader with deep expertise in manufacturing and change management, backed by a proven track record of driving measurable improvements in quality, cost, safety, and delivery. With a minimum of 10 years of progressive experience, they will bring the depth of knowledge and leadership capability needed to thrive in this multifaceted role. A solid grounding in Lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, and capital investment planning is essential, as is the commercial insight to align operational strategies with broader business objectives. This position calls for a well-rounded leader—someone who blends strategic foresight with hands-on problem-solving and is equally adept at managing day-to-day execution while contributing to the company’s long-term direction.

THE SCOPE

This role requires a hands-on, people-first leader with a genuine passion for mentorship and team development. The Senior Director of Operations will be responsible for building, coaching, and empowering a high-performing operations team, while fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, growth, and continuous improvement. Working closely with HR, they will help ensure the right organizational structure, talent pipeline, and succession plans are in place to support long-term resilience of the departments. With health and safety deeply embedded in the company’s values, the Director will lead by example—promoting a proactive, safety-first mindset, maintaining full compliance with OHSA standards, and overseeing regular audits and risk assessments. A natural curiosity, presence on the production floor, and a genuine commitment to teaching, coaching, and leading from the front are essential to success in this role.

This is a unique opportunity to join a high-growth Canadian manufacturer (SME) that blends the strength of a stable foundation with a bold vision for growth. As the company continues to invest across its operations, the Senior Director of Operations will play a critical role in driving performance, enhancing scalability, and reinforcing the organization’s reputation as a market leader.

NEXT STEPS

If you’re an experienced operations leader who thrives in dynamic environments and is ready to make a meaningful, long-term impact, please apply via the DMC website. This role is being hired with priority on behalf of our client.

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