Operations Manager – Industrial Automation

IN DEMAND Recruitment & Consulting Inc. is confidentially seeking an OPERATIONS MANAGER – INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION for our client in North GTA/York Region, ON.

Our client is an established specialty automation equipment manufacturer serving industrial customers across North America. They are seeking an Operations Manager to lead purchasing and day-to-day production, strengthen operating processes, and improve delivery performance.

Typical Business Hours – Occasional evenings/weekends as required.

Minimal Travel – most within the GTA area. Very occasional overnight travel.

Comprehensive employer paid benefits package.

Open to hearing from those outside this range.

You are a hands‑on manufacturing leader who brings structure to a busy operation. You combine practical production knowledge with sound purchasing judgment, communicate clearly, and help teams turn improvement ideas into consistent results.

Make a visible impact in a growing business where you can influence the full operation. Work closely with an experienced Director of Operations, gain exposure to senior leadership, and develop your capabilities as the company scales.

The Operations Manager will oversee purchasing and production execution within a manufacturing operation of approximately 30 employees. Working closely with the Director of Operations, you will align materials, people, and production schedules to meet customer commitments safely, efficiently, and consistently.

This role combines shop‑floor leadership with planning, supplier management, and continuous improvement. Your focus will be building practical processes that support reliable delivery, cost control, and sustainable growth.

• Lead production execution: Manage daily and weekly production schedules, coordinate resources, and resolve bottlenecks while maintaining safety, quality, and delivery standards.
• Own purchasing: Manage supplier relationships, negotiate pricing and lead times, and ensure materials are available to support production.
• Control inventory: Balance material availability with inventory investment, reducing shortages, excess stock, and unnecessary costs.
• Strengthen operating processes: Implement practical lean tools, including 5S, visual management, standard work, and root‑cause problem solving.
• Develop the team: Coach purchasing and production employees, set clear expectations, and reinforce accountability and continuous improvement.
• Coordinate across functions: Partner with sales, engineering, and finance to align production capacity and purchasing decisions with customer requirements and business priorities.
• Measure performance: Track and report key measures, including on‑time delivery, inventory turns, purchase price variance, and safety performance.
• Deliver improvements: Lead focused initiatives that reduce waste, improve productivity, shorten lead times, and control costs.

• 5–8 years of progressive experience in manufacturing operations, production, and/or purchasing, including demonstrated team leadership.
• Experience with in equipment, industrial, or capital‑goods manufacturing.
• Practical knowledge of production scheduling, material availability, and shop‑floor execution.
• Experience managing suppliers, negotiating purchasing terms, and making decisions that affect cost and profitability.
• Demonstrated application of lean or continuous‑improvement methods in a manufacturing environment.
• Ability to simplify processes, establish priorities, and follow through on improvements.
• Strong communication, problem‑solving, and decision‑making skills, including sound judgment on when to elevate issues.
• A collaborative leadership style and comfort working both on the…