Director of Operations - Cannabis - Medical Grade

Director of Production Operations GTA West, Ontario (On-Site)


$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.

Leadership & Culture

• 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.

Operational Excellence

• 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.

Quality & Regulatory Compliance

• 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.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• 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.

Qualifications


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

Why Join?

• 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

Interested?


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.