Operations, Senior Manager

About the role

We are an engineering and manufacturing company based in Toronto, Canada, serving customers in [add your markets: e.g., industrial, OEM, transportation, etc.]. We are seeking a Senior Manager, Operations to lead and coordinate the functions that keep our business running smoothly: delivery scheduling, project management, procurement, logistics, order management, office management, and quality control.

This is a key leadership role responsible for translating customer demand into reliable delivery, optimizing end‑to‑end operations, and ensuring that our teams and processes are aligned to support growth and efficiency.

You will work closely with Production/SMT & Assembly, Engineering, Sales, Finance, and Senior Leadership locally and internationally.

Key Responsibilities:

Operational Leadership & Planning

• Own the end‑to‑end order‑to‑delivery process, ensuring on‑time delivery (OTD) and customer satisfaction.

• Develop and implement master operations plans and capacity plans in coordination with Production, Sales, and Engineering.

• Lead daily/weekly operational review meetings to track commitments, remove bottlenecks, and adjust priorities.

• Monitor and report on key operational KPIs (OTD, backlog, cycle times, inventory turns, quality metrics, etc.).

Project & Program Management

• Manage customer orders, custom builds, and major internal initiatives.

• Ensure clear project scopes, timelines, resource allocation, and risk management for major customers/projects.

• Implement standardized project management practices and tools for consistent execution.

• Act as escalation point for project-related issues that impact cost, schedule, or quality.

Procurement & Supply Chain

• Lead and execute procurement activities to ensure timely, cost‑effective, and quality supply of materials and services.

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers; negotiate pricing, terms, and service levels.

• Manage material planning (MRP) and inventory management to balance availability with working capital targets.

• Assess and mitigate supply risk (single-source items, long lead‑time materials, critical components).

Logistics & Order Management

• Manage order entry, order confirmation, and change management processes to ensure accuracy and clarity.

• Coordinate inbound and outbound logistics, including shipping, receiving, customs, and freight optimization.

• Ensure accurate and timely documentation (packing lists, export documents, certificates, etc.).

• Drive process improvements in order-to-cash, from quotation/PO to shipment and invoicing.

Quality Control & Continuous Improvement

• Oversee quality control systems across operations to ensure products meet customer and regulatory requirements.

• Work closely with Quality, Production, and Engineering on corrective and preventive actions (CAPA), root cause analyses, and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Maintain and improve quality management systems (e.g., ISO 9001 or other relevant standards).

• Track quality KPIs (first‑pass yield, RMA/returns, customer complaints) and drive improvement projects.

Leadership & People Management

• Lead, mentor, and develop managers and coordinators across operations functions (procurement, logistics, order management, PMO, QC, office admin).

• Build a culture of accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement.

• Set and communicate clear objectives and performance expectations; conduct regular performance reviews and coaching.

• Support organizational change initiatives and drive alignment across teams and functions.

Financial & Strategic Responsibilities

• Contribute to annual budgeting and forecasting for operations (labor, materials, logistics, overhead).

• Monitor operational costs and identify cost‑reduction and margin‑improvement opportunities.

• Provide data‑driven input to strategic decisions related to capacity, outsourcing vs. in‑house, supplier strategy, and capital investments.

• Support business development and key customer engagements with operational insights and commitments.

Qualifications:

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management, Engineering, Business, Supply Chain, or a related field.

Experience

• 8+ years of progressive experience in operations within an engineering or manufacturing environment.

• 3–5+ years in a senior operations leadership role overseeing multiple functions (e.g., procurement, logistics, order management, quality, or PMO).

• Proven track record of improving on‑time delivery, operational efficiency, and customer satisfaction.

• Experience managing in a growing or fast‑paced environment with complex customer requirements.

Skills & Competencies:

• Strong understanding of end‑to‑end supply chain and operations in a manufacturing context.

• Experience with ERP/MRP systems and operational reporting/dashboards.

• Solid project management skills; familiarity with PM methodologies (PMP/Prince2/Agile is an asset).

• Working knowledge of quality systems and standards (e.g., ISO 9001; others as applicable to your industry).

• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills; comfortable using data to drive decisions.

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, including with customers and suppliers.

• Demonstrated leadership ability: building teams, driving change, and aligning cross‑functional groups.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary and performance‑based bonus.

• Comprehensive benefits package (health, dental, vision, etc.).

• RRSP/retirement contributions (adjust as applicable).

• Opportunities for career growth and professional development.

• A collaborative environment where operations, engineering, and manufacturing work closely together to deliver high‑quality products.