Telecommut
$130,000-$150,000 Base + 20% Annual Bonus
MacDonald Search Group has been retained to recruit a Director of Operations for a confidential client operating within a highly regulated manufacturing environment. Experience at Director level in Cannabis, Food, or Pharmaceuticals is required.
This is a key member of the senior leadership team, reporting directly to the General Manager and responsible for leading end-to-end operations across manufacturing, production, facilities, planning, supply chain, and cultivation (where applicable). The successful candidate will drive operational performance, build high-performing teams, and ensure the business consistently delivers on quality, compliance, customer service, and financial objectives.
The Opportunity
This role offers the opportunity to lead a complex manufacturing operation while shaping operational strategy, developing future leaders, and implementing continuous improvement initiatives that support long-term business growth.
The successful candidate will balance strategic thinking with hands-on leadership, partnering closely with Quality, Commercial, Finance, HR, and Supply Chain to ensure operational excellence across the organization.
Key Responsibilities Operational Leadership
- Lead all manufacturing, production, facilities, planning, supply chain, and operational activities.
- Develop and execute operational strategies aligned with business growth objectives.
- Ensure production plans meet customer demand while optimizing labour, equipment, inventory, and capacity.
- Monitor operational KPIs including quality, productivity, yield, service, cost, inventory, and safety.
- Support commercialization activities and new product introductions.
- Coach, mentor, and develop a team of operational leaders.
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, safety, and continuous improvement.
- Lead succession planning, workforce development, and performance management.
- Partner with Human Resources on recruitment and organizational development initiatives.
- Drive Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Improve productivity, efficiency, inventory management, and production planning.
- Lead capital projects, facility improvements, automation initiatives, and process optimization.
- Implement systems and technologies that improve operational visibility and decision-making.
- Manage operational budgets, forecasts, and business performance reporting.
- Ensure compliance with all regulatory and quality requirements.
- Partner closely with Quality Assurance to maintain audit readiness and support internal and external inspections.
- Promote a quality-first culture across all operational functions.
- Support investigations, CAPAs, change controls, and continuous quality improvement initiatives.
- Work closely with Commercial, Finance, Procurement, Supply Chain, Quality, and Executive Leadership.
- Support demand planning, inventory strategy, customer service, and operational execution.
- Identify operational risks and develop mitigation strategies to support business continuity.
We're Looking For An Experienced Operations Leader Who Brings
- 7+ years of progressive manufacturing or operations leadership experience with teams of 70+ full time staff indirectly reporting into you through divisional leaders
- Experience leading multiple operational functions including manufacturing, production, planning, supply chain, and facilities.
- Success managing teams within highly regulated manufacturing environments.
- Strong financial acumen with experience managing budgets, forecasting, and operational KPIs.
- Demonstrated success implementing continuous improvement and operational excellence initiatives.
- Experience with ERP systems, production planning, and operational reporting.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Business, Manufacturing, Agriculture, or a related discipline is preferred
- Senior leadership opportunity with significant influence over business operations within a highly regarded global organization
- Highly visible role partnering directly with the General Manager and executive team.
- Opportunity to lead transformational operational improvements.
- Collaborative, growth-oriented culture.
- Competitive compensation package
If you're an operations leader who enjoys building teams, improving manufacturing performance, and driving operational excellence within regulated industries, we'd like to hear from you.
