Plant Manager

At Ice River Sustainable Solutions, we are building more than products. We are building careers with purpose. As a proudly Canadian, family‑owned leader in sustainable manufacturing, we transform 100% recycled plastic into innovative solutions used across North America. Sustainability is not just something we talk about; it is built into everything we do. We move fast. We solve problems. We take pride in doing meaningful work that makes a real impact. We invest in our people, promote from within, and create real opportunities for growth across our organization. If you are someone who rolls up your sleeves, thinks creatively, and is ready to grow with a company that is redefining sustainable manufacturing, this could be your next move.

The Plant Manager is accountable for the overall performance of the Shelburne Water facility, leading all aspects of operations including production, maintenance, quality, and warehouse. This role requires a hands‑on, operationally strong leader with deep experience in high‑speed bottling or food and beverage manufacturing environments. As a key leader within Ice River Sustainable Solutions, the Plant Manager will drive operational excellence, ensure equipment reliability, and build a high‑performing team culture focused on safety, accountability, and continuous improvement. A strong maintenance and technical foundation is critical to success in this role, enabling proactive decision‑making, effective troubleshooting, and long‑term reliability planning.

Key Responsibilities Plant Leadership & Operations

Lead all day‑to‑day plant operations to achieve safety, production, quality, and cost targets

Own and deliver on all key performance indicators including OEE, labour efficiency, yield, downtime, and service levels

Ensure effective production planning, line loading, and resource allocation

Maintain strong floor presence to drive engagement, accountability, and operational discipline

Maintenance & Reliability

Provide direct oversight of maintenance strategy and execution to maximize uptime and equipment performance

Ensure robust preventive and predictive maintenance programs are in place and adhered to

Lead root cause analysis and implement permanent corrective actions for recurring downtime issues

Partner closely with maintenance leadership to build technical capability across the team

Leverage hands‑on technical knowledge to support troubleshooting and decision‑making in a bottling environment

Quality & Regulatory Compliance

Ensure full compliance with all quality standards, including HACCP, SQF, and internal quality systems

Maintain strong knowledge of regulatory requirements including CFIA, Health & Safety, and environmental standards

Lead audit readiness and execution, ensuring all regulatory and customer expectations are consistently met

Warehouse & Supply Chain Coordination

Oversee inventory management, material flow, and warehouse operations to support production and customer delivery

Collaborate with supply chain, logistics, and customer service teams to ensure service targets are achieved Optimize inventory levels and minimize waste or disruption

People Leadership & Culture

Lead, coach, and develop a team of supervisors, maintenance leaders, and frontline employees

Build a high‑performance culture rooted in accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement

Set clear expectations, monitor performance, and provide ongoing feedback and development opportunities

Support recruitment, onboarding, and retention strategies for plant employees

Continuous Improvement & Financial Accountability

Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on efficiency, cost reduction, and throughput

Analyze performance gaps and implement data‑driven solutions

Manage plant operating budget, including labour, overhead, and production costs

Support capital planning and execution of equipment and process improvements

Qualifications & Experience

Minimum 10+ years of leadership experience in manufacturing, including 5+ years as a Plant Manager or equivalent senior leadership role

Mandatory experience in food, beverage, or bottling manufacturing environments

Strong maintenance background (Millwright, Electrician, or hands‑on technical leadership experience strongly preferred)

Proven experience operating in high‑speed production environments with a focus on equipment reliability and uptime

Post‑secondary education in Engineering, Operations, Business, or related field is preferred

Skills & Competencies

Strong operational leadership with the ability to drive results through others

Deep understanding of high‑speed bottling equipment, maintenance systems, and production processes

Hands‑on, solutions‑oriented leader with strong troubleshooting capability

Proven ability to build and lead high‑performing teams in a fast‑paced environment

Data‑driven decision maker with strong analytical and problem‑solving skills

Experience driving continuous improvement and lean manufacturing initiatives

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills across all levels of the organization

High sense of ownership, accountability, and urgency

What Success Looks Like

Consistent achievement of plant KPIs across safety, quality, delivery, and cost

High equipment reliability and reduced downtime through strong maintenance practices

Engaged, high‑performing team with strong retention and development

Continuous improvement mindset embedded across the plant

Strong alignment with Ice River’s operational standards and growth objectives

Compensation $120‑140K/year to start, depending on experience and certifications

Please let Ice River Sustainable Solutions know if you require accommodation during the hiring and selection process and we will work with you to make appropriate arrangements.

Ice River Sustainable Solutions is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

We are committed to equity, diversity and inclusivity in the workplace; we welcome applications from women, racially visible individuals, people with disabilities, indigenous peoples, and LGBTQ2S+ persons.

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