Vice President of Manufacturing

THE OPPORTUNITY

We have an amazing opportunity for a Vice President of Manufacturing to join a global manufacturer and distributor based in Edmonton, renowned for its expertise in producing high-quality wear parts for the construction, mining, and road maintenance sectors. Reporting directly to the President and CEO, the Vice President of Manufacturing will assume responsibility for directing manufacturing operations across multiple sites. As a key member of the senior leadership team, this role entails comprehensive oversight and management of all manufacturing activities. The successful candidate will be tasked with formulating and executing manufacturing strategies aligned with corporate objectives, serving as a strategic leader in driving operational excellence, continuous improvements, enhancing productivity, and facilitating business expansion initiatives.

THE ORGANIZATION

Black Cat Wear Parts began manufacturing cutting edges in Edmonton, Alberta in 1968. Through the years, Black Cat's business model focused on quality, customer service, and striving for the lowest production costs. The company has expanded its capabilities and now produces both cutting edges from hot rolled steel as well as steel castings from its foundry operation. Black Cat Wear Parts now operates multiple production facilities in North America and China, distributing their industry leading products worldwide.

Black Cat Wear Parts offers full service you can rely on. From design and engineering through fabrication, delivery, and maintenance, their team covers every step of the creation and use of their products. Black Cat is your wear parts experts. Whether that means re-engineering a product and having it specially produced for your specific needs, or reliably filling orders for a standard edge, they have the capacity to handle your every need.

Black Cat does not compromise on quality. Their customers rely on them to deliver the highest quality product time and time again from their ISO Certified facilities. Black Cat creates and develops a variety of patented solutions for the earth-moving industry. Their designs offer a variety of innovative advantages including improved safety, longer wear life and superior performance.

To learn more about Black Cat Wear Parts, visit their website at:

THE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop strategic planning for the direction and control of manufacturing, process improvement and development as well as technical support activities.
• Enthusiastically support and build a world class Safety Program.
• Formulate long-term objectives and standards of performance for all manufacturing throughout the organization to assure that it achieves objectives and project completion within budget and time frame.
• Be a student of current industry trends, ensuring that the company maintains and expands its technology leadership position.
• Develop and support the plant level leadership teams in all manufacturing locations.
• Ensure that products are meeting or exceeding the customer's reasonable expectations.
• Develop plans and procedures for maintaining high standards of manufacturing operations, ensuring products conform to established customer and company quality standards.
• Prepare the annual budget for manufacturing, including capital expenditures.
• Manage overhead, variable and direct labour costs to budget and prior year expenses.
• Aggressively lead operations to identify, recommend, specify and implements changes to improve productivity.
• Drive quality performance, efficiencies and waste reduction through Lean Manufacturing principles.
• Environmental stewardship and ongoing development of an Environmental Management System. Including sustainability and social governance.
• Facilities and associated properties. Managing the upkeep and development of the manufacturing locations and properties.
• Participates in labour management of the operational employees.

THE QUALIFICATIONS

• 10+ years of manufacturing process experience, with at least 5 years in a management position.
• Degree or master's degree in mechanical engineering, manufacturing, business administration, or related field would be considered an asset.
• Experience in steel fabrication and foundry operations would be advantageous.
• Demonstrated team building and leadership skills across multiple sites.
• Working knowledge and experience in key operations best practices techniques and continuous improvement methodologies such as lean manufacturing, six sigma, kaizan.
• "Out of the box thinker" must be key driver contributing to the products roadmap and willing to take innovative product risk while balancing the road map for on time deliverables.
• Manage diverse, simultaneous projects of varying complexities.
• Strong relationship management, strategy development, project management, problem solving and change management skills.
• Professional and positive approach, self-motivated, strong in building relationships, team player, dynamic, creative with the ability to work on own initiative.
• Demonstrated strong oral and written communication skills.

KEY COMPETENCIES

• Strategic Leadership: Ability to develop and execute manufacturing strategies aligned with overall business objectives, driving sustainable growth and profitability across diverse locations.
• Operational Excellence: Proficiency in optimizing manufacturing processes, improving efficiency, reducing waste, and enhancing productivity while ensuring high-quality standards are consistently met.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Skill in fostering collaboration and alignment with other departments such as engineering, supply chain, and sales to ensure seamless coordination and efficient operations.
• Multi-site Management: Experience in overseeing manufacturing operations across multiple locations, including managing resources effectively, standardizing processes, and ensuring consistent performance across sites.
• Technology Integration: Understanding of advanced manufacturing technologies and their application in improving production processes, quality control, and overall operational efficiency.
• Quality Management: Strong focus on maintaining and enhancing product quality standards, implementing quality assurance measures, and driving continuous improvement initiatives to meet or exceed customer expectations.
• Cost Management: Proficiency in budgeting, cost analysis, and cost reduction strategies to optimize manufacturing expenses while maintaining profitability.
• Change Management: Ability to lead organizational change initiatives, drive cultural transformation, and effectively manage resistance to change, fostering a culture of innovation and adaptability.
• Risk Management: Skill in identifying potential risks and implementing mitigation strategies to ensure business continuity, including contingency planning, supply chain resilience, and compliance with regulatory requirements.
• People Leadership: Strong leadership and interpersonal skills to inspire and motivate teams, provide strategic direction, mentorship, and development opportunities, fostering a high-performance culture across the manufacturing organization.
• Safety Management: Understand and support of all applicable regional requirements of safety regulations and guidance. Ongoing development of the Safety Management system.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT

SANDY JACOBSON | T: | E: |