Director of Operations

Winpak Division is seeking an accomplished and strategic Director, Operations to lead its flagship Winnipeg manufacturing facility, a complex operation employing over 900 employees. The mandate of the role will be to drive operational excellence, strengthen cross-functional collaboration, and deliver measurable performance improvements. The Director will oversee both the Extrusion and Converting divisions, each with its own senior management, and will be tasked with building a stronger alignment across the plant to operate as a unified enterprise.

Reporting to the General Manager, Winpak Division, the Director of Operations is responsible to plan, organize and direct Winpak Division operations, engineering and maintenance groups to ensure the most effective return on assets. Direct reports include the Sr. Extrusion, Sr. Converting Manager, Maintenance Managers and Manager, Capital.

This is an exciting opportunity for a senior manufacturing leader to lead transformation at scale, influence operational performance across the business, and shape the future of one of Winpak's largest and most successful business units.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Strategy & Continuous Improvement

• Develop and implement plans that minimize manufacturing costs through effective utilization of manpower, equipment, materials, and capital.
• Ensure business objectives are achieved while continuously improving safety, quality, and productivity.
• Establish and monitor Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to drive performance, transparency, and continuous improvement.
• Promote structured problem-solving and cross-departmental initiatives that support cost reduction and operational excellence.
• Ensure adequate equipment, personnel, and resources are available to meet objectives and budget forecasts.
• Provide timely monthly, quarterly, and ad hoc operations reports as required by the Business Unit President or Corporate Office.

Safety, Quality & Compliance

• Maintain workplace safety as a core responsibility across all levels of the organization.
• Clearly define, communicate, and integrate safety goals into every manager's core functions.
• Hold all employees accountable for upholding Winpak's Safety Tenants and Values, ensuring safety is actively demonstrated in daily actions.
• Support ongoing compliance with ISO , SQF 2000, IMS certification, and internal quality standards.

Organizational Design & Leadership

• Determine optimal organizational structure, ensuring clear lines of authority and efficient workflows.
• Foster innovation by empowering employees and encouraging collaboration across departments.
• Establish group and individual accountabilities, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
• Ensure consistency of policies, procedures, and resources across all functional areas to promote teamwork and a supportive work environment.
• Lead labour and capital planning aligned with the Business Unit's three-year plan, including budgeting for labour, capital equipment, and materials.
• Ensure all expenditures are in accordance with policy and budgetary approvals.

People Development & Communication

• Ensure training and development plans are in place to promote the growth of current staff and development of future leaders.
• Foster a culture of accountability and open communication through clear expectations, feedback, and performance transparency.
• Maintain consistent, transparent communication across the Operations Management team to drive alignment and engagement.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate closely with the Director of Sales, Inventory & Operations Planning (SI&OP) to align production scheduling, inventory control, and execution.
• Provide leadership and oversight to the Maintenance and Engineering teams to ensure optimal machine performance, preventative maintenance, and proactive capital planning.
• Maintain constructive and collaborative working relationships with the Union, participating in meetings and fostering open communication and mutual respect.

The ideal candidate will be a seasoned operations leader with a proven track record in large-scale manufacturing environments. They will combine proven people leadership skills with hands-on operational and technical expertise, able to unite diverse teams and deliver measurable improvements in quality, efficiency, and customer responsiveness.

Qualifications and Experience

• Postgraduate University degree required, preferably in Operations Management, Engineering, Business Administration, or a related technical discipline or a related technical discipline.
• Additional professional certifications in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or Continuous Improvement are considered a strong asset.
• A minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in operations or production management within a manufacturing environment, with a proven track record of driving efficiency, safety, and quality improvements.
• Demonstrated success in implementing continuous improvement initiatives, optimizing workflows, and reducing waste through Lean and Six Sigma methodologies.
• Previous experience working in a unionized environment is an asset, with the ability to foster positive labor relations and ensure compliance with collective agreements.
• Background in plastics, film manufacturing, or extrusion for converting operations is highly desirable.

Personal Characteristics

• Strong leadership and people management skills with the ability to inspire, mentor, and develop teams across multiple departments.
• Ability to establish clear performance expectations, hold individuals accountable, and build a culture of collaboration, accountability, and safety.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate effectively at all levels of the organization and influence key stakeholders.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, capable of presenting operational results, business cases, and strategic initiatives to senior leadership.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple priorities under pressure and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret data, identify trends, and implement effective solutions to operational challenges.
• Proficiency in the use of modern manufacturing systems, ERP software, and data-driven decision-making tools.

Why Winpak?

Winpak is committed to providing comprehensive benefits to support the physical, mental, financial and social well-being of our employees and their families. Our benefit package includes the following:

• Medical, dental, vision & prescription coverage
• Travel coverage
• Disability coverage
• Voluntary life insurance
• Life and accidental death & dismemberment insurance
• Tuition assistance program
• Retirement savings plans
• A comprehensive employee and family assistance program which includes short term counselling, wellbeing coaching, financial and legal consultations services.

Winpak's vision is to provide the best packaging solutions for people and planet. We are a leading supplier of innovative packaging solutions, known for providing high-quality products that meet the needs of a variety of industries, including food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, and consumer products. With a commitment to sustainability, safety, and excellence, Winpak continues to grow as a global leader in the packaging industry.

At Winpak, inclusion is one of our core values. We believe that an inclusive culture fosters a sense of belonging, drives innovation, and provides our brand a competitive advantage. Our goal is to create an environment free from harassment and discrimination, and where every individual feels respected, valued, and appreciated.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we are committed to an equitable and inclusive recruitment process, evaluating applicants based on merit, capability, and qualifications related to the job - never on identity factors such as race, color, gender, age, sexual orientation, religion, disability, national origin, or any other protected status. To support this commitment, if you require any accommodations during the recruitment process, please let us know and we will work with you to ensure your needs are met.