Director of Manufacturing Operations

Hello, I’m Simon Mathé, Recruitment Consultant at FED ManuTech, specializing in engineering and manufacturing positions.


I am currently recruiting a Director of Manufacturing Operations for a recognized international group with a large-scale manufacturing organization in the Greater Montreal area. The position covers two production facilities, with most of the time spent at the main facility on the South Shore.

Reporting directly to the Vice President, you will lead a production organization of approximately 200 employees. Your mandate will be to stabilize operations, drive sustainable performance improvements and develop the existing management team while meeting daily delivery requirements. This highly visible position offers genuine opportunities for career progression in the medium term.


Your Responsibilities:
-Lead the fabrication, painting, assembly, subassembly, packing, technical support, planning and scheduling functions
-Ensure orders are delivered on time, at the expected cost and in accordance with established quality standards
-Coach and develop production managers and supervisory teams
-Lead the daily, weekly and monthly performance management routines
-Manage the master production schedule, work sequencing and release of work orders to the production floor
-Balance labour and capacity across both facilities, production areas and shifts
-Act as the main escalation point for production, labour, equipment and material issues
-Increase team autonomy and strengthen decision-making on the production floor
-Manage the operations budget in close partnership with the Plant Controller
-Monitor delivery, productivity, quality, cost, overtime and safety indicators
-Identify equipment requirements and lead the operational component of CAPEX projects
-Prioritize and deliver continuous improvement projects in collaboration with industrial engineering
-Work closely with quality, maintenance, engineering, product development, purchasing, logistics and finance

Your Profile:
-At least ten years of experience managing manufacturing operations
-Several years of experience leading a complete production function
-Demonstrated experience leading and developing managers
-Experience in a high-mix, low-volume or make-to-order manufacturing environment
-Understanding of work-cell production involving frequent changes in products and priorities
-Experience in production planning, scheduling and capacity management
-Experience managing manufacturing budgets and analyzing variances
-Strong continuous improvement and KPI-based management skills
-Ability to address immediate operational challenges while building a more structured long-term organization
-Engaging leadership style, strong shop-floor presence and sound decision-making skills
-Bachelor’s degree in engineering, operations management or a related field, or equivalent experience
-Professional English is essential due to regular interactions with the group’s North American entities
-Professional French is strongly preferred
-Experience in electrical assembly is an asset but is not required. Candidates from other high-mix, low-volume manufacturing environments will be considered.


Conditions:
-Base salary between $130,000 and $160,000, depending on experience
-Target annual bonus of 25%, based on company performance and individual objectives
-Permanent full-time position
-Position primarily based in Longueuil
-Regular presence required at the Laval facility
-Occasional travel to other facilities within the group
-Direct reporting relationship with the Vice President