Ready Mix Operations Manager

Aplin has partnered with a leading building materials and construction solutions company to recruit an experienced and driven Operations Manager - Ready-Mix Concrete for its operations in Kitimat, British Columbia.About the Role
This is a senior operational leadership opportunity responsible for the overall management, performance, and coordination of concrete supply operations supporting a large-scale infrastructure project and associated construction activities.The successful candidate will oversee all aspects of plant operations, dispatch, logistics, fleet coordination, production planning, quality control, safety, maintenance, and workforce management to ensure concrete products are delivered safely, efficiently, and in accordance with customer specifications, project requirements, and contractual commitments.The Operations Manager will serve as the central point of operational accountability, coordinating production, dispatch, logistics, fleet, quality, maintenance, materials, and workforce planning. This role requires someone who can effectively manage a complex, high-demand project environment where production requirements, pour schedules, specifications, delivery commitments, and customer priorities can change quickly.Important: Candidates must currently reside in Canada, be legally authorized to work in Canada for any employer without requiring sponsorship, and be willing and able to relocate to Kitimat, BC, for the duration of this three-year contract.The purpose of this position is to provide overall operational leadership for concrete supply operations supporting major infrastructure projects, ensuring the organization consistently meets its production, service, quality, safety, and contractual commitments.Success in this role will be measured by the ability to:Deliver concrete safely and without operational incidents.Meet customer pour schedules and delivery commitments.Consistently produce concrete that meets required specifications.Coordinate multiple contracts, customers, projects, and concrete mix requirements.Maintain sufficient plant, fleet, material, equipment, and workforce capacity.Anticipate operational constraints before they impact customer projects.Respond effectively to production, quality, equipment, logistics, and scheduling challenges.Maintain effective communication between operations, customers, contractors, and project teams.Deliver operational efficiency while maintaining appropriate cost controls and contractual obligations.Key Accountabilities
Concrete Supply & Operational Execution
Lead the day-to-day execution of concrete production and delivery activities supporting large infrastructure and associated projects.Ensure concrete orders are produced and delivered safely, efficiently, on time, and in accordance with customer requirements.Maintain oversight of daily and upcoming pour schedules across all active contracts.Coordinate plant production, dispatch, trucking, materials, quality control, maintenance, and labour requirements.Establish operating plans for major pours and periods of high concrete demand.Contract Management & Customer Coordination
Maintain operational oversight of multiple active concrete supply contracts and associated project commitments.Demonstrate a strong understanding of contract management and administration, including contractual obligations, scope of work, specifications, volumes, schedules, delivery requirements, testing requirements, and service expectations.Monitor contract performance and ensure operational activities align with agreed contractual commitments.Identify and proactively address potential contract delivery risks, operational constraints, and service issues.Maintain visibility of upcoming concrete demand and resource requirements across all contracts.Participate in customer, contractor, and project planning meetings as required.Ensure changes to pour schedules, volumes, specifications, or project requirements are communicated promptly to operational teams.Maintain accurate records of significant operational events, delays, disruptions, customer issues, and contract-related matters.Build and maintain effective working relationships with customers, contractors, and project stakeholders.Concrete Quality & Specification Compliance
Ensure all concrete supplied meets approved mix designs, customer specifications, project requirements, and applicable industry standards.Work closely with Quality Control personnel to maintain production consistency and concrete performance.Ensure plant operations follow established batching, production, testing, and quality procedures.Maintain clear communication between Operations and Quality Control regarding upcoming pours and specialized mix requirements.Ensure different contract specifications and mix requirements are properly communicated and managed across operations.Production Capacity & Resource Planning
Translate customer forecasts and project schedules into operational requirements for plants, trucks, operators, drivers, materials, maintenance, and quality personnel.Coordinate labour schedules to support expected production requirements.Ensure adequate availability of cementitious materials, aggregates, admixtures, fuel, and other critical production inputs.Coordinate with suppliers to manage inventory requirements and potential supply-chain risks.Plant, Fleet & Equipment Reliability
Ensure concrete plants and supporting equipment are operationally ready to meet scheduled production requirements.Coordinate with maintenance personnel regarding equipment condition, preventative maintenance, repairs, and planned downtime.Schedule maintenance activities to minimize impacts on customer commitments.Monitor mixer truck availability and coordinate fleet requirements with dispatch and maintenance.Lead regular operational planning meetings to ensure all departments understand upcoming requirements, responsibilities, constraints, and priorities.Workforce Leadership & Employee Development
Provide leadership to plant supervisors, batch plant operators, dispatch personnel, drivers, and other operational employees.Establish clear expectations regarding safety, customer service, operational performance, quality, and accountability.Ensure appropriate staffing levels are maintained to support scheduled operations.Foster positive employee relations through open communication, coaching, and employee engagement.Lead recruitment, training, performance management, and employee development initiatives.Identify talent development and succession planning opportunities for key operational positions.Provide constructive feedback, communicate goals and corrective actions, and support employees in developing their capabilities.Promote a collaborative working environment across departments and functions.Customer & Project Interface
Serve as the primary operational contact for significant concrete supply matters.Maintain regular communication with client project teams, contractors, construction managers, and customers.Participate in project coordination and look-ahead meetings.Provide clear information regarding production capacity, delivery capabilities, operational constraints, and upcoming requirements.Respond promptly to customer concerns and coordinate appropriate corrective actions.Maintain a professional, solutions-oriented approach while protecting the organization’s operational capabilities and contractual position.Health, Safety & Environment
Lead safety performance and establish a strong safety culture across operations.Implement and support health, safety, and environmental programs, ensuring compliance with applicable policies and requirements.Hold employees and operational teams accountable for maintaining a safe working environment.Work closely with regional safety leadership to establish objectives, monitor performance, and implement improvements.Lead by example through toolbox talks, corrective actions, safety initiatives, and continuous improvement of workplace safety practices.Qualifications & Experience
Minimum 5-10 years of relevant industry experience in a supervisory or operational leadership position, or an equivalent combination of technical education and industry experience.Demonstrated experience in operations management within ready-mix concrete, construction materials, or a related manufacturing and industrial environment.Strong knowledge and proven experience in contract management and administration is mandatory. Candidates must understand contractual obligations, scope of work, service delivery, customer commitments, performance monitoring, and operational compliance.Technical knowledge of concrete production, batching operations, equipment, and construction methods.Experience managing and maintaining ready-mix concrete equipment and associated production operations.Proven ability to coordinate multiple projects, customers, production schedules, and operational priorities.Strong leadership and workforce management experience, including the ability to lead supervisors and frontline employees.Experience working with quality management systems and production specifications.Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office and dispatching or production management software.Excellent written and verbal communication, organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.Ability to work independently, make sound operational decisions, and manage competing priorities effectively.Career Stability & Long-Term Commitment
Preference will be given to candidates who have demonstrated longevity in their roles and the ability to develop and maintain long-term operational relationships. Candidates should be able to demonstrate clear career progression, accountability, and a genuine interest in taking ownership of a significant operational mandate.The successful candidate must be comfortable committing to the three-year fixed-term assignment and relocating to Kitimat, BC.Key Competencies
Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.Excellent organizational and planning capabilities.Strong commercial awareness and contract administration skills.Analytical and financial management capabilities.Effective conflict resolution and decision-making.Results-oriented with a strong sense of urgency.High energy, resilience, versatility, and a strong work ethic.Ability to adapt quickly to changing operational and customer requirements.Strong attention to detail and commitment to operational excellence.A positive, collaborative, and solutions-focused approach.Working Conditions
Position is based in Kitimat, BC, for the duration of the three-year contract.Requires a hands-on presence within plant and operational environments.Ability to travel to other business units and corporate offices as required.Must comply with applicable workplace health and safety requirements and personal protective equipment standards.Must comply with company drug and alcohol testing requirements.Compensation
The anticipated base salary range for this position is $140,000-165,000 CAD, plus eligibility for an annual performance bonus.Final compensation will be determined based on the candidate’s relevant industry experience, contract management expertise, technical knowledge, leadership capabilities, and overall qualifications.Mandatory Candidate Requirements
Currently reside in Canada.Be legally authorized to work in Canada for any employer without requiring employer sponsorship.Be willing and able to relocate to Kitimat, British Columbia.Be comfortable accepting a three-year temporary / fixed-term contract.Demonstrate strong knowledge and experience in contract management and administration.If you are an experienced operations leader with a strong background in concrete or construction materials, proven contract management capabilities, and the ability to lead complex, high-demand operations, we welcome your application.
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