Summary/Job Scope:
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Operations Manager is responsible for the safe, efficient, and cost-effective operation of the cement manufacturing plant in order to obtain optimum output for operations and maximize profits. This position provides leadership to production managers, supervisors, technicians and planners, to ensure the plant consistently achieves production, quality, environmental, and safety targets.
The Operations Manager oversees all aspects of the production process, including raw material preparation, kiln operations, clinker production, finish grinding, alternative fuel processes and cement dispatch coordination. The role is accountable for optimizing plant performance, driving continuous improvement initiatives, ensuring regulatory compliance, and fostering a culture of operational excellence.
Be advised that this role serves as the designated alternate to the Plant Director, assuming leadership responsibilities and ensuring continuity of operations during the Director's absence.
Key Responsibilities:Production Management & Operational Excellence- Direct and manage all production activities within the cement manufacturing process.
- Ensure production targets are achieved while maintaining product quality specifications.
- Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) including production volumes, throughput, kiln performance, energy consumption, and equipment utilization.
- Develop and implement production plans to meet customer demand and business objectives.
- Coordinate production schedules with maintenance, quality control, quarry, logistics, and other plant departments.
- Identify and implement process improvements to optimize productivity, efficiency, and operating costs.
- Analyze production data and trends to identify opportunities for improvement.
- Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions related to production losses, quality issues, and operational inefficiencies.
- Support Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Work closely with maintenance teams to optimize equipment reliability and availability, while ensuring production impacts related to maintenance activities are minimized.
- Participate in shutdown planning and execution.
- Develop and monitor departmental budgets and cost control measures.
- Manage operating expenses while maintaining production and quality standards.
- Lead the safe and efficient implementation, operation, and continuous improvement of alternative fuel programs within the cement manufacturing process, while ensuring compliance with Ontario environmental regulations, emissions permit requirements, and corporate sustainability objectives.
Leadership and Team Development- Provide leadership, coaching, and direction to production managers, supervisors and hourly staff.
- Establish performance objectives and conduct performance evaluations.
- Support employee development through training, mentoring, and succession planning.
- Foster positive employee relations and maintain effective communication throughout the department.
- Promote accountability, teamwork, and a continuous improvement mindset.
Health, Safety, Environmental Compliance and Quality Assurance- Champion a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act (Ontario), company policies, and industry best practices.
- Lead incident investigations and corrective action initiatives.
- Conduct regular safety audits, inspections, and risk assessments.
- Ensure compliance with environmental permits, emissions standards, and applicable federal, provincial, and municipal regulations.
- Promote continuous improvement in workplace health, safety, and environmental performance.
- Ensure compliance with all product quality standards and specifications.
- Collaborate with Quality Control personnel to maintain consistent product performance.
- Address and resolve production-related quality concerns.
- Drive process improvements that enhance product quality and customer satisfaction.
- Maintain compliance with applicable employment, health and safety, environmental, and industry regulations.
- Support internal and external audits.
- Ensure accurate operational records and reporting requirements are maintained.
Note: This job description may not cover all duties and requirements and may include additional tasks as assigned by the Plant Director.
Qualifications:- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Industrial Technology, Manufacturing, Operations Management, or a related field preferred.
- Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in heavy industrial manufacturing.
- Minimum 5 years of leadership experience managing large cement production operations in a unionized environment.
- Strong understanding of cement manufacturing processes, kiln operations, grinding systems, and process control.
- Ability to read, interpret, analyze reports, periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, advanced engineering blueprints.
- Strong computer skills with proficient knowledge of SAP, Process Control Manufacturing; MS Word, Power Point; advanced user of Excel.
- Financial acumen with experience managing departmental budgets.
- Excellent communication skills with proven leadership, coaching, and team-building skills.
- Strong organizational and project management capabilities with the ability to make sound operational decisions in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Knowledge of Ontario health and safety legislation and environmental regulations.
Working Conditions:Working conditions relating to physical effort for this role have been rated Moderate-Intermediate, within industrial manufacturing environment with exposure to heat, dust, and noise where work is performed in both office and industrial plant environments, with use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is required.
Occasional work outside normal business hours may be required to support production demands, outages, emergencies, or shutdown activities.
WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU?Being part of VCNA is being part of building famous landmarks such as Toronto's CN Tower, Roy Thompson Hall, Maple Leaf Gardens and the Darlington Nuclear Station and Ryerson Centre, St. Regis Chicago and 150 N. Riverside, Louis High-Speed Rail in Chicago and more
- Opportunities to collaborate with teams around the globe and growth opportunities in different areas
- Training, professional development
- Access to Employees Resource Groups (ERGs), including SheBuilds, which fosters mentorship, leadership development and community support
- Tuition reimbursement/assistance
- Competitive wages, vacation and holiday time
- Medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance
- RRSP and DC (CAN) and 401K (U.S.)
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP): confidential support for you and your family (CAN)
- Educational scholarship program for dependents of regular salaried employees.
- Fertility drug coverage
- Paid Maternity Leave Top Up
- Hybrid work model for certain positions
Salary Range: $126,899.82 - $190,349.73
(offers will be based on qualifications, experience and education, which will determine where a candidate will fall in line with the above wage range)
OUR PEOPLEWe care about people - all people. At VCNA, we take safety, health and wellness seriously. We're dedicated to giving our employees a safe workplace, our neighbors a safe environment and our customers a high-quality and safe product. Safety first -and always!
Our VC Way reflects who we are, inspiring us to unite our culture and be our best: Our Way of Being: ethical and respectful, Our Way of Working: together with excellence and Our Way of Thriving: with the courage to transform.
