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E.G. Penner Building Centre
Steinbach, Manitoba
The Company
E.G. Penner Building Centre is one of Manitoba’s most established and recognized names in building materials. Proudly independent, family owned, and deeply rooted in the Steinbach community, the business has grown from a small local operation into Manitoba’s largest independently owned building supply company.
For more than 60 years, E.G. Penner has built its reputation by being the go-to destination for homeowners, contractors and building professionals across the region. Today, the business combines the stability and values of a long-standing local employer with the scale, resources and ambition of a company that continues to invest in its people, product offering, and customer experience.
More than a building materials retailer, E.G. Penner offers specialized departments, experienced sales and design teams, installation services and extensive project support. This breadth has allowed the business to become a trusted partner throughout the entire building and renovation process.
Despite its growth, E.G. Penner remains closely connected to the community it serves. It is a business built locally, employing local people and supporting the contractors, homeowners and communities that have contributed to its success.
For someone looking to build a long-term career, E.G. Penner offers a rare combination: the stability and reputation of an established business, significant scale and resources, and the opportunity to help shape the next stage of its growth.
THE OPPORTUNITY
Behind the reputation that E.G. Penner has built, is an operation that needs to deliver every day.
The right product needs to be available. Orders need to be accurate. Trucks need to leave on time. Customers need to receive what was promised. And the people responsible for making all of that happen need strong leadership, clear expectations, and the tools to do their jobs well.
E.G. Penner is looking for a Vice President of Operations to join its Executive Leadership Team and lead this critical part of the business.
Reporting directly to the President, this is a broad executive mandate with responsibility for the people, processes, infrastructure and systems that support the organization. The VP of Operations will help ensure E.G. Penner continues to deliver the quality, reliability and level of service that customers have come to expect over more than six decades.
With six direct reports comprised of department managers/supervisors, and approximately 60 indirect reports, this individual will lead an experienced operational team spanning; warehousing, purchasing & inventory, logistics and delivery, fleet, facilities, maintenance, and health and safety, while working closely with the broader retail and customer-facing business.
This role is not about changing what has made E.G. Penner successful. It is about building on it.
The opportunity is to bring strong operational leadership, new ideas and greater consistency to an established business, while protecting the values, relationships and commitment to service that have always been at its core.
THE MANDATE
The VP of Operations will take ownership of operational performance across the organization, creating an environment where people understand what is expected of them, where managers are mentored and empowered to lead, and customers consistently receive the experience E.G. Penner promises.
Key Areas Of Responsibility Will Include
- Develop and execute an organization-wide operational strategy aligned with E.G. Penner’s long-term growth, profitability and customer commitments.
- Lead and develop the operational management team, creating clear accountability while coaching managers and developing future leaders.
- Oversee warehousing, receiving and shipping, inventory, purchasing, delivery and logistics, fleet operations, facilities, maintenance and health and safety. Six Departmental Managers/Supervisors.
- Work across the broader retail operation, supporting departments including building materials, hardware, flooring, cabinets, paint and customer service.
- Protect and improve the quality and reliability of the customer experience, from product availability and order accuracy through to delivery.
- Establish meaningful operational KPIs and use them to improve productivity, service, cost and performance.
- Lead inventory strategy and controls, balancing product availability, accuracy, inventory investment and turns.
- Improve delivery, routing, fleet utilization and logistics performance, recognizing that dependable delivery is a critical part of the promise E.G. Penner makes to its customers.
- Develop and manage operational budgets and identify opportunities to improve profitability while protecting quality and service.
- Evaluate and lead capital investments, operational projects, expansions and infrastructure improvements.
- Identify opportunities for technology, automation and process improvement that make work easier, improve accuracy and allow the organization to grow effectively.
- Champion a strong safety culture where people look out for one another and safe practices are part of how the business operates every day.
- Partner closely with the President and senior leaders across Sales, Finance, and Human Resources on annual planning, forecasting, workforce planning and strategic initiatives.
- Continue building a culture of accountability, teamwork, continuous improvement and genuine care for the customer.
Success in this role will be visible across the business.
Customers receive the right products, at the expected quality, when they were promised. Inventory is accurate and available. Deliveries run reliably. Operational teams understand their priorities. Managers have the confidence and accountability to lead their people. Problems are identified and solved rather than passed along.
Just as importantly, improvement should feel consistent with who E.G. Penner is.
This person will bring structure without unnecessary bureaucracy. They will respect the knowledge and experience already within the business, listen before making changes and build trust with the people responsible for delivering results every day.
Success will ultimately be measured across profitability, operational expense management, inventory accuracy and turns, gross margin, on-time delivery, labour productivity, fleet utilization, safety, customer satisfaction, employee engagement and the execution of strategic initiatives.
CROSS-FUNCTIONAL LEADERSHIP
A key relationship for the VP of Operations will be their partnership with the VP of Sales. The connection between Sales and Operations is critical to delivering the quality, service and reliability E.G. Penner is known for, and these two leaders need to work closely and collaboratively. They should be aligned, open-minded and comfortable challenging and supporting one another, with a shared focus on what is best for the customer and the business. Many of the challenges and opportunities that arise will sit between Sales and Operations and will benefit from two perspectives working together, rather than one.
Strong communication, mutual respect and a willingness to solve problems together will be essential to keeping both functions connected and moving in the same direction.
The Experience
We are looking for an accomplished operations leader who understands that great operations are ultimately about people, customers and execution.
The Successful Candidate Will Ideally Bring
- 10+ years of progressive operations leadership experience, including at least five years at a senior leadership level.
- Experience within building materials, lumber, distribution, retail, manufacturing, construction supply or a similarly complex operational environment.
- Experience leading large, multi-functional teams through experienced managers.
- Strong knowledge of warehousing, logistics, inventory management, supply chain and operational planning.
- Demonstrated responsibility for operational budgets, financial performance and capital investment.
- A strong commercial mindset and an understanding of how operational decisions affect customers, sales, margins and profitability.
- Experience establishing KPIs, improving processes and leading continuous improvement initiatives.
- A track record of developing managers, building accountability and successfully leading organizational change.
- Strong knowledge of workplace safety, risk management and regulatory compliance.
- Experience with ERP systems and using operational data to support better decision-making.
An MBA or advanced business designation would be considered an asset.
THE LEADERSHIP PROFILE
E.G. Penner is looking for someone who genuinely enjoys leading people and improving businesses.
Someone who can see the bigger picture without losing sight of the details that matter to the customer. Someone comfortable around an executive table, but equally comfortable spending time in the warehouse, talking with a driver or working through a challenge with a department manager.
They will ask good questions, listen to the people who know the business and make thoughtful decisions. They will hold people accountable, but also give them the support, clarity, and the tools they need to succeed.
They will understand that operational excellence is not simply about efficiency. It is about doing what you said you would do, delivering quality work, taking care of customers and creating an environment where people are proud of the work they do.
For the right person, this is an opportunity to become an important part of a business that has been built over generations, and to help ensure the reputation E.G. Penner has earned over the past 60 years becomes the foundation for the decades ahead.
Salary Disclosure; Total compensation package exceeding $200,000
If you are interested in arranging a confidential conversation, please apply via the DMC website. This role is being hired with priority on behalf of our long-term client, E.G. Penner.
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DMC Recruitment uses a CRM system that includes AI-assisted screening and summary. However a human consultant makes the final decision on the suitability of every candidate for every role.
This posting is for an existing vacancy.
