Operations Lead

Location: Guelph, Ontario - In Person
Company: Original Composites & Fiberglass
Pay Range: $99,000 - $150,000
ABOUT US

Join Original Composites & Fiberglass, a leading global provider of solutions for the growing composites industry as we build on more than 85 years of innovation. Our 4,000 employees across 12 countries share a commitment to redefining what is possible for our customers in energy, transportation, infrastructure, defense, and consumer goods. Guided by our core values of Passion, Ownership, and Team Spirit, the Guelph plant has produced glass fiber reinforcements, including Wet Use Chopped Strands (WUCS) and Continuous Filament Mat (CFM), in the heart of the city since 1951.

POSITION SUMMARY

We have an immediate opening for an Operations Lead who will report to the Plant Lead and serve as an active member of the Leadership Team. This role provides leadership to the Operations Department while contributing to the development and execution of the plant business strategy and the achievement of plant and regional objectives.

The Operations Lead is accountable for safe, reliable, environmentally responsible, and efficient plant operations. The role drives disciplined execution of standard work, talent development, Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), and collaboration with union and salaried stakeholders. Success will come from building effective systems, developing frontline leaders, using data to improve performance, and leading change that delivers sustainable results.

This leader delivers results through Production Supervisors and cross-functional partners, translating plant strategy into clear daily priorities while strengthening the continuous improvement culture. The role requires visible leadership across a 24/7/365 unionized manufacturing environment and may require occasional travel.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Lead safety, security, and environmental performance

• Drive a zero-injury, safety culture and ensure consistent compliance with safety systems, procedures, and standards.
• Lead the Autonomous Maintenance TPM pillar and support Environment, Health and Safety and Training and Development priorities.
• Identify and deliver improvements that reduce environmental risk and support company goals and community interests.
• Use leading and lagging indicators, including recordable injuries, first aids, near misses, and safety tags, to focus action and strengthen prevention.

2. Deliver operational performance and business results

• Deliver plant targets through stable, capable, and efficient operations and data-driven decision-making.
• Establish clear performance expectations and proactively manage operating performance against plan.
• Own operating-plan delivery, conversion cost, productivity, labour utilisation, manufacturing gains and losses, volume, overtime, and operational reliability.
• Prioritise the people, capital, technology, maintenance, and operating investments needed to improve safety, reliability, productivity, and quality.
• Align resources to the plant’s highest risks, losses, and strategic priorities.

3. Build people capability and a high-performing culture

• Lead through frontline leaders by setting direction, clarifying expectations, and ensuring alignment across shifts and departments.
• Develop Production Supervisors and broader operational talent through coaching, development plans, cross-training, internal promotion, and succession planning.
• Create an environment in which employees are engaged, empowered, and accountable for results.
• Partner with Human Resources and functional leaders on performance management, organisational capability, talent development, labour relations, and sustainable conflict resolution.
• Use employee feedback, engagement, absenteeism, overtime, turnover, and labour-utilisation measures to identify and remove organisational barriers.

4. Strengthen quality and customer performance

• Promote a zero-defect mindset and consistent on-time delivery that strengthens customer confidence.
• Drive adherence to the Quality Management System and Daily Management System.
• Use customer feedback and operating insight to improve quality, service, reliability, and plant priorities.
• Build understanding of customer requirements, markets, and the operational factors that create customer value.

5. Execute strategy and accelerate continuous improvement

• Translate plant, regional, and business strategy into clear day-to-day priorities, expectations, and measures.
• Develop and execute operating plans while building the operational capabilities, resources, technology, and talent required over the next one to three years.
• Drive continuous improvement through TPM, standard work, structured management systems, and loss elimination.
• Lead organisational and cultural change required to implement and sustain improved operating systems and evolving business priorities.
• Communicate clear performance updates so employees understand priorities, results, and how they can contribute to improvement.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Post-secondary degree in Engineering, Operations, Business, or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and progressive manufacturing leadership experience.
• 10+ years of manufacturing experience, including proven people leadership in a unionised environment.
• Demonstrated success leading through frontline leaders and cross-functional teams in a 24/7 manufacturing operation.
• Strong planning, resource-allocation, delegation, communication, financial and operational decision-making, and change-leadership capabilities.
• Demonstrated success designing and leading organisational or cultural change.
• Strong experience with continuous improvement systems such as TPM, Lean, or Six Sigma.
• Proven ability to use operational and financial data to identify losses, prioritise action, and improve performance.
• Experience developing leadership capability and moving talent across functions is strongly preferred.
• May require travel. Must have no legal restrictions on travel between Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Valid passport eligibility is mandatory.

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

• Safety-first and standards-driven - Sets a visible example, consistently reinforces expectations, and follows through until safe and reliable standards are sustained.
• Strategic and results-oriented - Connects long-term objectives to daily execution and maintains ownership for operating-plan delivery.
• People-centred and accountable - Develops leaders, enables employees, and addresses performance or labour-relations issues directly and respectfully.
• Analytical and improvement-minded - Uses operational and financial data, structured problem-solving, and disciplined management systems to eliminate losses.
• Collaborative and change-ready - Builds alignment across functions, shifts, union and salaried stakeholders, and leads change with clear communication and resilience.

WHAT YOU'LL LOVE ABOUT US!

For more information:         LinkedIn - Original Composites and Fiberglass (OCF)

Competitive Benefits: We take pride in providing our employees with a competitive compensation package to help promote your wellbeing and that of your family. Here are some of the perks we offer:

• Company-paid health and dental benefits from the first day
• Company pension plan
• Health Care Spending Account
• Staff Recognition Awards
• Employee and Family Assistance Program
• Paid time off
• Disability insurance

AI-Assisted Screening Disclosure
To support a fair, consistent, and efficient recruitment process, we may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist with the initial screening of applications. These tools help identify qualifications and experience that match the requirements of the role. AI is used only to support our recruiters; final hiring decisions are made by the HR Lead and hiring team. No applicant data is shared externally through these tools, and all information remains securely within our systems in accordance with our privacy and data protection policies.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
We value diversity and recognise the important role it plays in achieving our objectives and attracting, engaging, and retaining talented people. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds. OCF is committed to accessible recruitment in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and will provide appropriate accommodation to persons with disabilities throughout the recruitment process upon request.