Director, Operations

At Ice River Sustainable Solutions, we are building more than products. We are building careers with purpose. As a proudly Canadian, family-owned leader in sustainable manufacturing, we transform 100% recycled plastic into innovative solutions used across North America. Sustainability is not just something we talk about; it is built into everything we do.
We move fast. We solve problems. We take pride in doing meaningful work that makes a real impact. We invest in our people, promote from within, and create real opportunities for growth across our organization.
If you are someone who rolls up your sleeves, thinks creatively, and is ready to grow with a company that is redefining sustainable manufacturing, this could be your next move.
Role Overview
The Director of Operations leads safe, efficient, and profitable operations across multiple manufacturing sites, providing strategic and hands-on leadership to Plant Managers and Operations leaders. This role translates business strategy into consistent operational execution by balancing safety, quality, cost, delivery, and engagement, while strengthening frontline leadership capability and operational discipline. Working closely with HR, Continuous Improvement, Supply Chain, Maintenance, Quality, and Finance, the Director of Operations drives sustainable performance and long-term organizational strength across the business.
Key Accountabilities
Operational Leadership

• Provide direct leadership and oversight to Plant Managers and site leadership teams across multiple facilities
• Ensure consistent execution of operational standards, policies, and performance expectations across all sites
• Drive operational excellence across safety, quality, productivity, cost control, and service
• Establish clear operational priorities aligned to business objectives and growth plans
• Act as a visible, hands-on leader in the plants, balancing strategic direction with floor-level engagement
  

Safety, Quality & Compliance

• Champion a safety culture, holding leaders accountable for proactive safety leadership
• Ensure compliance with all health & safety, environmental, food safety, and regulatory requirements
• Partner with Quality and H&S teams to investigate incidents, address root causes, and implement preventative measures
• Reinforce operational discipline and GMP expectations across all facilities
  

People Leadership & Talent Development

• Build strong, accountable Plant Management teams through coaching, performance management, and development
• Partner with HR to support:
• Leadership capability building (Supervisors, Leads, Plant Managers)
• Succession planning and talent pipelines
• Performance management and corrective action
• Set clear expectations for leadership behaviour, consistency, and decision-making across plants
• Foster a culture of engagement, accountability, and continuous improvement
  

Continuous Improvement & Efficiency

• Lead and sponsor continuous improvement initiatives focused on:
• Line efficiency
• Waste reduction
• Downtime reduction
• Cost optimization
• Partner with CI and Maintenance to ensure:
• Strong preventative maintenance practices
• Standardized processes and KPIs
• Data-driven problem solving
• Ensure improvement initiatives are practical, sustainable, and embedded into daily operations
  

Financial & Performance Management

• Own operational KPIs and dashboards across all sites
• Monitor and manage operational budgets, labour efficiency, and cost performance
• Analyze performance trends and implement corrective actions where targets are not met
• Support capital planning, justification, and execution for operational investments
• Ensure plant-level decisions align with overall business financial objectives
  

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Supply Chain to align production planning, inventory, and service levels
• Partner with HR on workforce planning, labour strategy, and engagement initiatives
• Collaborate with Finance on forecasting, budgeting, and cost control
• Serve as a key operational voice at the senior leadership table
  

Leadership Expectations
The Director Of Operations Is Expected To

• Lead with consistency, clarity, and fairness
• Be comfortable making tough decisions while remaining people-centred
• Hold leaders accountable without micromanaging
• Model strong communication, follow-through, and operational discipline
• Balance urgency with long-term sustainability
  

Qualifications & Experience

• Post-secondary education in Engineering, Operations Management, Business, or related field (preferred)
• 10+ years of progressive operations leadership experience in a high speed beverage manufacturing environment
• Proven experience leading multi-site operations
• Strong understanding of:
• Safety-sensitive manufacturing environments
• Continuous improvement methodologies
• Labour-intensive operations
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop senior operational leaders
• Strong financial and analytical acumen
• Comfortable operating at both strategic and hands-on levels
  

Travel Requirement

• Regular travel between manufacturing sites within Canada (estimated 40-50%)
  

Salary

• $140-175K/year to start
  

Please let Ice River Sustainable Solutions know if you require accommodation during the hiring and selection process and we will work with you to make appropriate arrangements. Ice River Sustainable Solutions is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
We are committed to equity, diversity and inclusivity in the workplace, we welcome applications from women, racially visible individuals, people with disabilities, indigenous peoples, and LGBTQ2S+ persons.
Note To Recruiting Agencies
Ice River Sustainable Solutions does not respond to unsolicited emails from third party recruiters acting on behalf of job seekers. All candidates are encouraged to create their own online profile, allowing us to reference resumes effectively and advise when opportunities match your knowledge and skills. Any profiles created by recruiters on behalf of job seeking candidates will be deleted. This practice threatens future interactions between third party recruiters and Ice River Sustainable Solutions recruitment.