Plant Manager – Food Ingredients

Position: Plant Manager – Food IngredientsLocation: This is a full-time on-site position based out in Oakville, Ontario.Status: Full-time, permanent (1)

Reporting to the Director of Operations, Canada, the Plant Manager will provide strategic and operational leadership for Quadra’s food ingredients blending facility in Oakville, overseeing manufacturing, warehousing, and distribution activities. This is a high-impact leadership role responsible for ensuring operational excellence across safety, quality, regulatory compliance, productivity, and people development, while supporting innovation and business growth initiatives.

We are seeking a seasoned manufacturing leader with deep experience in food production, ingredient blending, or dry powder processing environments, who thrives in fast-paced operations and has a proven ability to build high-performing teams. This role will work closely with Quality, R&D, Supply Chain, and Commercial leaders to ensure our operational capabilities support current business needs while positioning the site for future growth.

This is an opportunity to lead a critical manufacturing site at a growing organization where operational excellence, innovation, and people development are at the core of our success.

If you’re a hands-on, strategic plant leader ready to make a significant impact, we’d love to hear from you.

What would be your main responsibilities as a Plant Manager ?:
Operational Leadership

Plan, organize, direct, control and optimize all plant operations including production, inventory control, maintenance, planning, and distribution.
Optimize operational performance to meet customer deadlines, ensuring minimum downtime and optimal run times, all with safety and quality at the forefront. business requirements for safety, quality, cost, delivery, and service.
Lead and coach the Production Manager, Supervisors, Lead Hands, and Operations team to achieve performance objectives.
Promote and foster a culture of accountability, engagement, safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
With the support of the maintenance coordinator, manage assets and oversee a comprehensive preventative maintenance program.
Direct sanitation efforts in a production environment, including managing dust control systems, dry cleaning procedures and full wash (wet) cleaning procedures
Collaborate and align with commercial leaders to ensure that the plant is meeting or exceeding the needs of the current business, while also aligning future growth requirements, and in turn building operational plans

People Management & Development

Provide leadership, coaching, and performance management for direct and indirect reports.
Ensure strong staffing strategies, training plans, and competency development programs.
Build leadership bench strength through succession planning and capability development
Promote a high-performance culture focused on collaboration, ownership, and results

Food Safety, Quality & Regulatory Compliance

Lead all internal and external audits, inspections, and compliance activities
Ensure full compliance with all applicable food safety and regulatory requirements, including:

Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR)
Food and Drugs Act
Health Canada requirements
Ontario food production and public health regulations

Partner with Quality, Regulatory, and Audit teams to maintain and exceed standards related to:

GMP
HACCP
FSQA
BRCGS
Preventive Control Plans
Traceability systems
Allergen control
Halal, Kosher, and Gluten-Free certifications

Inventory, Planning & Supply Chain

Oversee inventory control and production planning & scheduling
Optimize inventory accuracy (raw materials and finished goods), service levels, and working capital.
Collaborate cross-functionally to minimize waste and inefficiencies.

Business Growth & Strategic Projects

Provide operational leadership for key business initiatives and capital projects.
Support product innovation trials, scale-up, and commercialiszation activies.
Collaborate with business teams to align operational capabilities with market needs.
Lead site readiness for future expansion initiatives

Financial & Performance Management

Develop and manage plant budgets and operating costs.
Monitor and report on operational KPIs to drive performance.
Identify and implement productivity, efficiency, and cost-improvement initiatives.
Implement a comprehensive CAPEX plan to maintain assets and support growth.

Health and Safety

Champion a best-in-class safety culture across the site
Ensure compliance with the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act and all applicable regulations
Act as the employer representative for workplace health and safety
Support Joint Health and Safety Committee initiatives and mandatory safety training

What are the required skills and qualifications to have success in this position?
Qualifications & Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Food Science, Operations Management, or related field.
10-15+ years of progressive manufacturing experience in a food manufacturing plan or food ingredients environment.
At least 7–10 years of progressive leadership experience in a manufacturing environment, including managing people leaders.
Strong capital project and operational improvement experience (PMP certification is considered an asset)

Key Competencies

Deep expertise in food safety systems, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance within food manufacturing environments.
Strong working knowledge of GMP, HACCP, allergen control, traceability systems, and related food safety standards.
Hands-on experience with dry blending operations, including powder flow characteristics, process optimization, and blending equipment.
Proven experience in finished food product blending is essential.
Demonstrated operational leadership within high-volume, fast-paced manufacturing environments.
Exceptional prioritization skills, with the ability to manage competing demands and make sound decisions in complex operational settings.
Proven track record of driving projects from planning through execution, ensuring on-time completion and measurable business impact.
Outstanding communication and influencing abilities, with the capacity to engage effectively across all organizational levels—from frontline production teams to senior leadership.
Strong people leadership capabilities, including coaching, mentoring, performance development, and building high-performing teams.
Continuous improvement mindset with a strong focus on operational excellence, process optimization, and efficiency gains.
Solid business acumen with demonstrated success collaborating cross-functionally to achieve strategic objectives.
Exceptional problem-solving skills with a proactive, solutions-oriented approach and the ability to act decisively to drive operational performance.

At Quadra, we offer not only an engaging culture, a collaborative, family-oriented and supportive environment, but also plenty of autonomy and flexibility. We also offer you the opportunity to be part of a professional, fun, innovative and committed team in a growing, people-oriented, Great Place to Work® certified organization. In addition to being Great Place to Work® certified, Quadra has been recognized as one of the Best Managed Companies for over 20 years! You will work with dynamic colleagues who are eager to share their knowledge with you.
Here are some of the perks of choosing Quadra:

Permanent, full-time position: Join us for a stable, long-term career
Competitive salary & Performance Incentives: Your hard work is rewarded with attractive compensation and bonuses
Tailored training: We provide personalized training to support you and your growth
Excellent Benefits Package: Medical, Dental, HSA, and more to keep you covered including our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and access to telemedicine/Virtual healthcare
Generous Time Off: Flexible personal days, sick days and vacation to recharge
Wellness Programs: Enhance your quality of life with wellness initiatives, including health and mental wellness programs from healthcare leaders
Pension plan with match: Plan your future with our matched pension plan program
Family-owned and support environment: Be part of a private, family-owned company with a strong infrastructure and core values
Award-Winning Workplace: Work in a certified Great Place to Work®, and Best Managed Company!
Inclusive Culture: We celebrate diversity and caring for each other and having fun are part of our core values!
Career Growth: Unlock opportunities for development in a fast-paced growing company
Fun Social Activities: Get involved in company events, Volunteering programs, etc.
Referral & Recognition Programs: Earn monetary rewards through our referral and employee recognition programs (years of service, merit awards, etc.)
And Much More !

Compensation Information: The annual base salary for this position is expected to range between $101,175.00 and $178,350.00. Please note that this base salary range is provided for reference purposes only. Individual total compensation will vary based on factors such as job-related knowledge, skills, education, and experience.

Base salary represents just one component of our overall compensation package. This role is also eligible for a generous incentive program and comprehensive benefits. Quadra’s salary ranges are benchmarked against the market and determined by role and level. Final base salary will be aligned with the selected candidate’s qualifications, skill set, competencies, and work location.

At Quadra, we are committed to offering a competitive and rewarding total compensation package that recognizes your expertise and supports your professional growth.

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