Manufacturing Operations Manager

**Red Dog Raw Food Company** has been a pioneer in the manufacturing of raw food for dogs and cats for over 20 years. Our HACCP certified state-of-the-art manufacturing facility located in Port Coquitlam is experiencing significant growth. Red Dog’s products are sold nationally at specialty pet food retailers.

We are looking for an **Operations Manager**to spearhead the effort in growing the company and our enthusiastic operations team to the next level. You are someone that thrives on building processes and people and you excel at tackling challenges with innovative solutions to drive growth and manage change. And of course, you want to be part of the solution in providing nutritious healthy food to our beloved pets?

In your new role, you will be responsible for multiple aspects of our team, production facility and processes. You will be focused on managing the day-to-day manufacturing activities and facilities and coaching and empowering the team to success. A key focus will be on implementing process improvements and tracking KPIs to ensure that growth is executed efficiently, safely, and strategically.

1. **Have a people-first attitude;** coaching and empowering our employees to succeed.

2. **Have great communication skills,** working closely with other managers and board members to support the company and communicate organizational goals, procedures, and policies to the operations team.

3. **Have a hands-on approach to change-management**: our amazing operations team is very knowledgeable and hard-working, but they have their hands full. To implement changes effectively, you need to be willing to roll up your sleeves and get hands-on in the implementation process. So, if you prefer office work, this is not the role for you.

**4. Love for project and change management.**

5. **Comfortable with wearing many hats**; facility management, production management, HR, dog belly-rubber, and whatever is required to help the team succeed.

**A Day in the Life**:

- Ensuring the successful daily implementation of business operations including purchasing, scheduling, manufacturing, warehousing, shipping/receiving, and quality assurance, ensuring efficiency and high-quality output.
- Control of all operational aspects including EBITA, profit and loss, inventory, production planning, health and safety, and compliance
- Develop and nurture a dynamic and competent workforce through coaching, mentoring, inspiring, and leading by example
- Managing health and safety policies and procedures and provide employees with regular HSE training and leading the Health and Safety Committee
- Lead the operations team through the implementation of SQF/GFSI certification processes.
- Oversee and guide the operations team in meeting specific export packaging, labeling, and compliance requirements and meeting export standards for the US and Asian market.
- Supporting the maintenance supervisor with facility and equipment maintenance
- Responsible for facility management including coordinating with the landlord, facility maintenance, policy development, documentation, etc.
- Promote cross-training to optimize workforce, ensuring functional coverage, reducing labor costs, and supporting succession planning.
- Improve, optimize, and implement processes to maximize equipment and staff efficiency and scale operations for increased production volume.
- Managing process and product development projects
- Evaluate, procure, and oversee the installation of new equipment.
- Collecting and analyzing production metrics

**What You Bring**:

- 5+ years in a supervisory or management role in a manufacturing environment - Food manufacturing is a plus
- A strong emotional intelligence
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Demonstrated expertise with SQF implementation and US food exporting.
- Proven ability with managing changes in a production facility or process.
- Experience Scaling up new products and supporting their introduction into the market.
- Exceptional organizational and project management skills - time management, scheduling, prioritizing tasks, delegating to-dos.
- Deep commitment to health and safety standards, with a thorough understanding of best practices in workplace safety.

**What Makes You Great**:

- Highly motivated, autonomous, self-starter, with an entrepreneur spirit
- Experience with MRP systems such as Fishbowl Inventory
- Strong Experience with Procurement and Logistics
- Hands-on experience within lean manufacturing, 5S and process improvements
- Bachelor’s degree in food science, Engineering, Business Administration, or related field

What Makes Us Great:

- **Growth Opportunity** - this is a great opportunity if you are looking for a long-term career in Operations or Plant management to start at the beginning and build a legacy
- **Great Benefits** - Extended medical benefits that cover you and your family.
- **Work/Life Balance** - Paid sick days, 2 weeks paid vacation that accumulates on day one