Production Manager

Job Description:

Production Manager

Work Location: 10 Kodiak Crescent Ste 120, North York, ON M3J 3G5 (Onsite)

Position Overview

We're seeking an experienced Production Manager to lead, optimize, and scale manufacturing operations for our ultra-widefield retinal imaging systems. This individual will be responsible for overseeing end-to-end production activities, ensuring operational excellence, maintaining regulatory compliance, and driving continuous improvement across all manufacturing processes.

The successful candidate will possess strong leadership skills, extensive experience in regulated medical device manufacturing, and a proven ability to build scalable production systems within a fast-paced, high-growth environment.

Reporting directly to the CEO, the Production Manager will work closely with Engineering, Quality Assurance, Regulatory Affairs, Supply Chain, Service, Finance, and EssilorLuxottica's global manufacturing organization to ensure operational success.

Key Responsibilities

Production Operations & Manufacturing

• Lead all aspects of manufacturing operations, including production planning, scheduling, procurement, materials management, assembly, testing, packaging, inventory control, deployment, and logistics.
• Ensure production schedules are achieved while maintaining quality, cost, and delivery objectives.
• Monitor production capacity and develop strategies to support future business growth.
• Optimize manufacturing workflows to improve productivity, efficiency, and throughput.
• Oversee inventory management, production forecasting, and material availability.
• Manage supplier relationships to ensure quality, on-time delivery, and resolution of material quality issues.
• Coordinate production priorities across engineering, purchasing, service, and customer support teams.
• Drive Design for Manufacturing (DFM) initiatives in collaboration with Engineering.

Quality, Regulatory & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with ISO 13485, GMP, FDA, Health Canada, and other applicable regulatory requirements.
• Maintain world-class manufacturing quality standards.
• Develop, implement, and continuously improve Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), work instructions, and production documentation.
• Oversee non-conformance investigations, corrective and preventive actions (CAPA), and continuous quality improvements.
• Monitor manufacturing metrics including yield, defect rates, rework, scrap, and overall equipment effectiveness.
• Support internal and external quality audits.

Strategic Manufacturing Leadership

• Develop and execute Cellview's manufacturing strategy in alignment with corporate growth objectives.
• Support new product introduction (NPI) activities, ensuring smooth transition from engineering into production.
• Identify opportunities for automation, process improvements, and manufacturing scalability.
• Collaborate with EssilorLuxottica on long-term manufacturing strategy, operational alignment, and best practice implementation.
• Lead manufacturing readiness for future product releases and production expansion.

Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement

• Establish KPIs and production dashboards to monitor operational performance.
• Lead Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Drive cost reduction initiatives while maintaining product quality.
• Improve manufacturing efficiency through process optimization and waste reduction.
• Develop roadmaps for operational maturity and scalable manufacturing systems.

Leadership & Team Development

• Recruit, develop, mentor, and lead a multidisciplinary production team, including technicians, assemblers, inventory personnel, and manufacturing support staff.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, quality, and continuous improvement.
• Conduct performance reviews, coaching, and employee development planning.
• Promote a safe, organized, and productive manufacturing environment.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with Engineering, Regulatory Affairs, Quality Assurance, Supply Chain, Service, and Finance.
• Support engineering change implementation and production readiness activities.
• Participate in executive planning and operational review meetings.
• Provide regular production reporting, forecasts, risks, and improvement recommendations to senior leadership.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, or a related technical discipline (or equivalent industry experience).
• 10+ years of progressive manufacturing or production management experience within medical devices, optics, electronics, precision manufacturing, or similarly regulated industries.
• Demonstrated experience managing full-cycle manufacturing operations from procurement through production, quality assurance, and shipment.
• Strong understanding of:
  • ISO 13485
  • GMP
  • FDA Quality System Regulations
  • Health Canada Medical Device Regulations
• Proven leadership experience managing cross-functional teams.
• Experience implementing and improving manufacturing processes within regulated environments.
• Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems (NetSuite, SAP, Oracle, or equivalent).
• Excellent analytical, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong decision-making and project management abilities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience scaling manufacturing from early-stage product development to commercial production.
• Experience working within a high-growth or startup environment.
• Lean Manufacturing and/or Six Sigma certification or equivalent experience.
• Optical, ophthalmic, imaging, or medical device manufacturing experience.
• Experience supporting Design for Manufacturing (DFM) initiatives.
• Familiarity with manufacturing automation and process optimization.
• Experience collaborating with international manufacturing organizations.