Group Director, Manufacturing Financial Dr

The Opportunity:

Group Director, Manufacturing is responsible for leading the manufacturing operations across multiple facilities, with a focus on driving operational excellence, maximizing efficiency, and ensuring a safe and healthy working environment. This executive-level position will oversee day‑to‑day business operations, including the development and implementation of strategic manufacturing and operational plans, policies, and procedures that align with Maple Leaf Foods’ forward‑thinking vision, mission, and values.

Reason for vacancy:
Existing Headcount

• Oversee the entire manufacturing process across Maple Leaf Foods’ processing facilities, accomplished through your leadership of Site Leaders and Plant Managers across the Maple Leaf Foods network.
• Develop and implement a robust manufacturing plan aligned to Maple Leaf Foods’ ambitious operational vision, strategies, policies, programs, and processes.
• Create and inspire vision and strategy for the business, considering global macro‑economic trends in the sector, as well as commercial opportunities in the Canadian and international markets.
• Implement consistent manufacturing standards, philosophies, and approaches to ensure compliance with industry best practices and customer requirements, including Good Manufacturing Practices and HACCP.
• Strategize on capacity planning and resource optimization to meet resourcing, labour, and material planning requirements.
• Provide professional leadership and management across all components of the organization to ensure consistent standards of performance that reinforce Maple Leaf Foods’ vision.
• Liaise and work closely with industry advocates, union representatives, elected officials, and the community.
• Identify, recommend, and implement new processes, technologies, and systems—including digital solutions and automation technologies—to improve and streamline organizational processes and use of resources.
• Monitor financial performance by developing and implementing cost‑saving initiatives and using insights from KPIs to improve processes and boost operational efficiency.
• Ensure employee health and safety and food quality are at industry‑leading levels by establishing and maintaining appropriate standards and protocols in partnership with your peers in Health & Safety, Food Safety & Quality Assurance, and Sustainability.
• Engage teams, creating a cohesive, high‑performing culture to achieve superior financial performance, with health and safety and food safety as top priorities.
• Work closely with the Maple Leaf Foods leadership team to gain support for strategy and growth initiatives.
• Leverage Maple Leaf Foods’ Leadership Values to cultivate a trusting, learning culture of leaders through continuous feedback, coaching, and robust development opportunities

• Significant senior‑level experience in manufacturing, ideally within the food industry or CPG, is critical.
• Experience overseeing multiple plants concurrently, including leadership of Plant Managers or Site Leaders.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field preferred.
• Strong commercial/business acumen and understanding of market dynamics, along with exceptional critical thinking and analytical capabilities.
• Strong understanding of yields, labour, and costing, and how it affects day‑to‑day operations.
• In‑depth knowledge of lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively collaborate across functions and levels to solve complex problems, gain alignment, and execute with speed to deliver on commercial/financial objectives.
• Experience driving staffing and technological improvements and solutions to build world‑class…