Sr. Manager Packline Operations

Job Summary: The Sr. Manager Packline Operations provides strategic and operational leadership for packline execution, ensuring optimal fruit allocation, processing efficiency, and alignment with sales and grower commitments. This role drives cross-functional coordination across operations, quality, inventory, and ERP systems to maximize performance, product quality, and financial returns. It is accountable for forecasting, production planning, and continuous improvement initiatives while leading a high-performing operations team in a fast-paced, data-driven environment. This role requires an individual who exemplifies the company values of humble, driven, and solutions-oriented.

Humble – Employees that are team players and are respectful of others and the job at hand. Great team players lack excessive ego or concerns about status. Humble employees are quick to point out contributions of others and slow to seek attention of their own.

Driven – Employees who are motivated and focused on self improvement. Driven or hungry employees are always looking for more. More things to do, learn, and take responsibility for. They never have to be pushed by a manager to work harder because they are self-motivated and diligent.

Solutions Oriented – Employees who focus on solving, and preventing problems from occurring, not just identifying them. This is equal parts of problems with systems and processes and the common sense that an employee has about people. They are aware, act appropriately, ask good questions, and listen to understand.

Role And Accountability

• Lead decision-making in collaboration with Vineland and internal stakeholders to ensure sales goals are met, packline operations are aligned, and all fruit is optimally allocated and packed to maximize grower returns and fulfill contractual obligations.
• Own the oversight of fruit quality, fruit movement, and processing contracts, ensuring that decisions—particularly those made with Vineland—maximize the return on fruit sold.
• Forecast sales, monitor demand trends, and analyze consumer behavior to support strategic planning and operational alignment.
• Oversee processing plan to ensure fruit processing, sorting and packouts meet sales forecast and client needs.
• Track business performance using scorecards, dashboards, and EOS Rocks; contribute to EOS implementation and cross-functional alignment.
• Lead strategic initiatives such as ERP optimization, QA and Food Safety transitions, and future facility development.
• Manage and optimize the FAMOUS ERP system for sales & marketing, including issue resolution, team training, and alignment with inventory, sales, and financial processes.
• Collaborate with QA, Food Safety, and Financial Operations leaders to integrate processes across company properties.
• Partner with senior managers to align pricing, promotions, and inventory planning; support SOP development and policy governance.
• Recommend labour allocations throughout the packline to ensure all positions are covered so the line can run at maximized efficiency.
• Provide support in compiling and balancing packout reports to shipment documentation to sales orders to ensure 3-way match to ensure accurate packing numbers and equitable outcomes for all growers.
• Work with Vineland to create a rolling 3-week forecast for packing, selection of fruit and ship times.
• Work with Inventory and Shipping team to maintain an accurate inventory level to be analyzed and assessed.
• Support in calculating daily packline production efficiencies and recommending necessary adjustments to operations and processes.
• Coordinate with the shipping and receiving department to ensure timely sale/delivery of product and the receipt and storage of packaging supplies.
• Ensure that FAMOUS tag inventory is accurate as packaging is used and packed inventory is produced by monitoring the success of FAMOUS inventory procedures and standards.
• Forecast required packaging materials, order, and maintain necessary inventory levels.
• Build and maintain professional relationships with suppliers.
• Manage inventory associated with product recalls.
• Assist with the purchasing and procurement of supplies for the operation.
• Work with the QC department to complete storage holdings reports.
• Ensure food safety and quality assurance standards are met throughout production.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations.
• Conduct regular performance conversations, including probationary 30/60/90-day check-ins for new hires and quarterly performance conversations to provide feedback, set expectations, and support employee development.
• Develop and maintain financial dashboards and KPI reporting to drive visibility into performance and support data-informed decision-making
• Build and lead a high-performance Packline Operations team by hiring A Players, using LMA (Lead, Manage, and hold Accountable), and developing future leaders.
• Serve as the point of escalation for department-level issues, collaborating with other senior managers to ensure organizational alignment.
• Follow established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), policies, and procedures, and provide feedback to supervisors when updates or improvements are needed.
• Execute daily responsibilities to meet departmental goals while adhering to company values (Humble, Driven, Solutions-Oriented).
• Provide feedback and suggestions to improve processes within the scope of the role.
• Attend relevant department and company-wide meetings, including Level 10 meetings, contributing to organizational alignment and effectiveness.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to address challenges, develop solutions, and align strategies with company goals.
• Utilize Microsoft To-Do (or similar) for task tracking and reminders, ensuring productivity and accountability.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to inspire and develop high-performing teams.
• Proficient in task management and operational software, including ERP systems and Microsoft To-Do.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to present complex information effectively.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills, with a solutions-oriented mindset.
• High emotional intelligence, professionalism, and the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Education And Experience

• Post-secondary education in Business Administration, Operations Management, Supply Chain Management, Agriculture, Food Science, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Progressive experience in operations, supply chain, or production environments, preferably within food production, agriculture, or perishable goods industries.
• Experience in a senior leadership or managerial role overseeing multi-functional teams and complex operational workflows.
• Demonstrated experience in production planning, inventory management, and end-to-end operational execution in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience working with ERP systems (FAMOUS or similar) and leveraging data, dashboards, and KPIs to drive operational decision-making.
• Experience collaborating with cross-functional stakeholders and external partners (e.g., growers, suppliers, or contract-based operations).
• Experience in quality assurance and food safety environments (e.g., HACCP, FSSC 22000) considered a strong asset.
• Demonstrated success in leading teams, driving accountability, and implementing continuous improvement initiatives in operational settings.

Salary $130,000 annually

Please note that this job posting is for an existing vacancy. As part of our recruitment process, Schuyler Farms, Norfolk Cherry Company, and The Norfolk Fruit Growers' Association may require candidates to complete behavioral assessments. Some of these assessments may use AI‑enabled tools to assist in evaluating job‑related competencies. However, final decisions are made by humans.

In accordance with the Ontario Human rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, The Company is an equal opportunity employer who is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier free recruitment and selection process. Applicants should advise Human Resources if they require any type of accommodation during the recruitment process.