Food processing Jobs in Cambridge, ON

Vice President, Operations – Further Processing

Reports To: Chief Operating Officer, Further Processing
Direct Reports: Plant Managers and specialized roles
Indirect Reports: Approximately 1,100 employees across multiple facilities
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Position Overview:
The Vice President, Operations – Further Processing is responsible for providing strategic leadership and direction for all manufacturing operations across the Further Processing division. This role is accountable for operational excellence, financial performance, safety, quality, customer service, employee engagement, and continuous improvement initiatives across multiple facilities.
Working closely with the COO and executive leadership team, the VP Operations develops and executes operational strategies that support the organization's growth objectives while optimizing productivity, maximizing yield, controlling costs, and ensuring industry-leading standards in food safety, quality, and regulatory compliance.
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Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership
• Develop and execute long-term operational strategies aligned with corporate goals and growth objectives.
• Partner with the COO and Executive Leadership Team to establish annual business plans, operational priorities, and performance targets.
• Lead organizational transformation initiatives to improve efficiency, scalability, and overall business performance.
• Identify opportunities for expansion, innovation, automation, and process optimization.
Operations Management
• Provide leadership and oversight for all manufacturing operations across multiple facilities.
• Ensure the achievement of operational KPIs related to safety, quality, service, productivity, yield, labour efficiency, and cost management.
• Monitor performance metrics and implement corrective actions to address operational challenges and performance gaps.
• Drive standardization of processes and best practices across all facilities.
• Ensure operational structures, roles, and responsibilities are clearly defined and aligned to business needs.
Financial Performance
• Accountable for achieving operational budgets and financial objectives.
• Manage labour, overhead, conversion costs, capital expenditures, and productivity initiatives.
• Analyze financial and operational data to identify trends, risks, and improvement opportunities.
• Develop and implement strategies to enhance profitability and operational efficiencies.
• Ensure disciplined capital planning and appropriate return on investment for operational projects.
Safety, Quality & Compliance
• Champion a culture where employee health, safety, and wellbeing are foundational values.
• Ensure compliance with all food safety, quality assurance, regulatory, and customer requirements.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen food safety systems and audit performance.
• Maintain compliance with applicable legislation, industry standards, and company policies.
Leadership & Talent Development
• Build, develop, and mentor a high-performing operations leadership team.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, engagement, and continuous learning.
• Ensure succession planning and leadership development programs are in place across operational functions.
• Partner with Human Resources to support workforce planning, employee engagement, performance management, and organizational development initiatives.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Work closely with Supply Chain, Sales, Finance, Human Resources, Maintenance, Engineering, Quality Assurance, and Central Services teams to achieve business objectives.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives focused on customer satisfaction, service levels, operational improvements, and growth opportunities.
• Communicate operational performance, risks, opportunities, and strategic priorities to executive leadership on a regular basis.
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Professional Experience & Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Operations Management, Supply Chain, or a related discipline
• Minimum 15 years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience, including significant multi-site operational leadership.
• Proven success leading large-scale manufacturing operations in unionized and non-unionized environments.
• Previous Plant Manager and Senior Operations Leadership experience required.
• Food manufacturing experience required; protein processing experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success driving operational excellence, continuous improvement, and business transformation initiatives.
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing large operating budgets and capital projects.
• Experience leading Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Operational Excellence, or Continuous Improvement programs is considered an asset.
• Strong understanding of food safety systems, regulatory requirements, and customer quality expectations.
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Leadership Attributes:
• Strategic thinker with the ability to balance long-term vision and short-term execution.
• Authentic leader who builds trust, credibility, and strong working relationships.
• Results-oriented with a strong sense of accountability and ownership.
• Skilled at leading organizations through change and transformation.
• Strong decision-making and problem-solving capabilities.
• Exceptional communication and influencing skills.
• Demonstrates resilience and adaptability in a fast-paced environment.
• High degree of integrity and sound judgment.
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Core Competencies
Leadership Competencies
• Strategic Leadership
• Developing Talent
• Change Leadership
• Driving Accountability
• Building High-Performing Teams
• Executive Presence
Business Competencies
• Financial Acumen
• Operational Excellence
• Continuous Improvement
• Risk Management
• Business Planning
Interpersonal Competencies
• Relationship Building
• Influencing and Negotiation
• Collaboration and Teamwork
• Communication
• Customer Focus
Personal Effectiveness
• Analytical Thinking
• Problem Solving
• Decision Making
• Results Orientation
• Adaptability and Resilience

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