Managing Director

We are seeking a Managing Director to lead the Ontario operations of a premier engineering consulting firm specializing in the food industry. As a hands-on, people-focused leader with deep 'gate-to-plate' expertise, you will bridge the gap between high-level group strategy and day-to-day operational excellence in food processing, manufacturing, hygiene, and safety—ensuring corporate vision translates into world-class technical standards and peak site performance. You will inherit a business backed by global expertise and be tasked with building a robust, inclusive local culture that champions talent development and long-term client loyalty. This is a pivotal leadership role for a professional who values "culture as a strategy" and wants to steer a business backed by global expertise. Mandate Reporting directly to the Group CEO, you will hold full P&L accountability and define the strategic roadmap for the Ontario subsidiary. Your mission is built on four pillars: - Champion Culture: Transition the business into a collaborative, psychologically safe workplace where integrity and mutual respect are the baseline. - Talent Architect: Bridge the generational gap. You will implement structured mentoring to ensure knowledge transfer from senior experts to the next generation of engineers. - Operational Excellence: You will oversee complex project delivery while ensuring the stringent safety and hygiene standards essential to the food processing industry are maintained at every stage - Market Growth: Act as the primary face of the firm, deepening long-term partnerships with key industrial clients across Ontario. Who You Are - A Culture-First Leader: You have a documented history of improving employee engagement and successfully leading organizational change within professional services. - Industry Conversant: While you don't need to be the lead technical specialist, you should possess a solid understanding of the regulated manufacturing sector (processing, manufacturing, or hygiene) and engineering principles. - Strategically Grounded: You are comfortable with financial oversight, P&L management, and reporting to an international Board. Qualifications & Experience - Education: Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related discipline. - Professional Status: P.Eng. designation (or eligibility) is a significant asset. - Sector Knowledge: Practical gate to plate project build expertise within the food processing industry (processing, manufacturing, hygiene, or safety). You must be able to engage credibly with technical teams and clients without needing to be the lead technical specialist. - Regional Expertise: Deep familiarity with Ontario employment legislation, Health & Safety standards, and professional workplace expectations. Leadership Profile - Professional Services Mastery: Extensive senior leadership experience within a consulting, engineering, or project-based environment. You understand the nuances of billable hours, project lifecycles, and client retention. - Culture & Change Architect: A proven track record of building healthy organizational cultures and leading teams through periods of change or evolution. - People-First Results: Demonstrated success in driving strong employee engagement outcomes. We are looking for a leader who prioritizes psychological safety and inclusive leadership. - Talent Developer: Proven ability to mentor emerging leaders and facilitate structured knowledge transfer across generations (bridging the gap between senior experts and early-career professionals). - Strategic Relationship Manager: Exceptional skills in navigating complex client relationships and acting as a senior escalation point for high-stakes projects.