Japanese / English Bilingual Plant Manager - Global Food Manufacturing (BL35761)

A global food manufacturing company is seeking a results-driven Plant Manager to lead our noodle manufacturing operations in Canada. This role is responsible for overseeing all aspects of plant performance, ensuring compliance with food safety standards, and fostering a culture of operational excellence, safety, and continuous improvement.

Plant Manager Key Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee all plant operations including production, maintenance, quality assurance, sanitation, warehousing, and logistics.
• Ensure full compliance with Canadian and international food safety standards (HACCP, CFIA, GMP, SQF, FSMA); maintain audit readiness.
• Drive efficiency through Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and other continuous improvement initiatives.
• Develop and execute production plans to meet demand while minimizing downtime, waste, and cost.
• Monitor and manage key performance indicators (KPIs) such as yield, labor productivity, cost per unit, efficiency, and product quality.
• Champion asafety-first culture, ensuring compliance with occupational health and safety regulations.
• Collaborate with QA/QC teams to uphold the highest standards of product quality and regulatory compliance.
• Prepare and manage plant budgets, capital investments, and cost-reduction strategies.
• Build and lead a high-performance team through effective communication, training, coaching, and performance management.
• Partner with cross-functional teams including R&D, Supply Chain, and Human Resources to support overall business goals.
• Act as the primary contact for internal and third-party audits and inspections.

Plant Manager Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Engineering, Business Administration, or related field (Master's degree is an asset).
• Minimum 7–10 years of progressive leadership experience in food manufacturing (preferably in noodles, pasta, or similar product lines).
• Strong working knowledge of HACCP, GMP, CFIA/FDA/USDA regulations, and food safety systems.
• Demonstrated success in production management, team development, and performance optimization.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
• Proficiency in ERP systems and manufacturing software.
• Familiarity with Canadian regulatory frameworks and workplace safety legislation.
• Ability to work in a manufacturing environment with temperature variations, noise, and extended periods of standing or walking.
• Must be able to occasionally lift 30–50 lbs.
• Flexibility to work non-standard hours to meet operational needs.

Activ8 Recruitment & Solutions / Renaissance Resources Inc. has been a trusted leader in North American recruiting for Japanese businesses for over 25 years. We specialize in connecting top talent with companies in the Automotive, Electronics, Food & Beverage, Logistics, Manufacturing, Oil & Gas, Banking & Finance, and Entertainment industries. Our client-focused approach ensures that we understand your unique needs, whether you're a company seeking skilled professionals or a candidate looking for the right career opportunity. By working closely with each individual, we provide tailored solutions that drive success.

We screen ALL Candidates to verify the validity of each applicant's provided information. Upon submitting your resume, we will contact only those candidates that we deem qualified for our client. If we do not contact you, we do not see the fit for the position. If we are unable to reach you in a reasonable timeframe, you will be eliminated from the pool of potential candidates.

We prioritize direct applicants; third-party resumes may not be reviewed.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: $80,000.00-$110,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental care
• Discounted or free food
• Extended health care
• Life insurance
• On-site parking
• Paid time off
• RRSP match

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Barrie, ON: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Experience:

• food plant manager : 5 years (required)
• noodle manufacturing : 3 years (preferred)
• HACCP, GMP, CFIA/FDA/USDA regulation : 5 years (required)

Language:

• Japanese (required)

Work Location: In person