<p>JOB PURPOSE AND SUMMARY</p> <p>The Director of Operations is responsible for overseeing all aspects of operations at KFI. This leadership role manages the Operations Manager and is accountable for driving performance and continuous improvement across production. The Director plays a critical role in aligning daily operations with long-term business goals, optimizing plant performance, and supporting a safe, food-compliant, and efficient work environment. This role partners closely with the VP of Operations and facility leadership to implement best practices and create a culture of accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement.</p> <p>Duties and responsibilities include formulating policies, managing daily/weekly/monthly operations, and planning the use of raw materials and human resources. Responsible for ensuring the use of food safety procedures to ensure quality product.</p> <p>Supports the review, understanding and compliance of all programs, policies and procedures contained in the Food Safety and Quality Management System. Incumbent must understand their role in food safety and regulatory responsibilities as required by the SQF Food Safety Code and report any food safety concerns to initiate appropriate action. Actively participate and support the 5S and EAM initiatives.</p> <p>DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES</p> <p>% OF</p> <p>ITEM TIME JOB FUNCTIONS</p> <ol> <li> <p>35% Provides leadership and oversight for all activities related to the preparation and production of finished goods, ensuring operational objectives are achieved through effective management by the Operations Manager and team. Collaborates with cross-functional departments to align production schedules, resource planning, and quality standards. Reviews and analyzes operational data, including production schedules, efficiency reports, lab analysis, weight control charts, waste reports, activity reports, and cost variance reports, to assess plant performance and identify improvement opportunities. Guides and supports the development and enhancement of management tools such as Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) and other analytical systems to optimize operations and asset utilization.</p> </li><li> <p>30% Provide day-to-day support to the Operations Manager, focusing on leadership development and execution of strategic goals defined in collaboration with senior leadership. Serve as a mentor and coach to develop leadership competencies, improve team communication, and foster a culture of accountability and performance. Ensure effective delegation and follow-through throughout the operations team. Direct and coordinate operations budget activities to fund operations, maximize investments, increase Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) and maximize quality of product profiles.</p> </li><li> <p>20% Establish and implement departmental policies, goals, objectives, and procedures, conferring with the VP of Operations, Maintenance/Engineering Management, Human Resources Manager, QC/QA Management, Purchasing Manager, and staff members as necessary. Champions operations training strategy across all levels, ensuring regular follow-up, coaching, and accountability. Promotes a culture of continuous improvement by modeling, supporting, and reinforcing RCA methodologies and problem-solving discipline.</p> </li><li> <p>10% Leads workforce planning efforts in collaboration with the Operations Manager and HR, aligning staffing strategy with established departmental goals and training initiatives. Supports operational readiness for trial runs and product launches by coordinating resources across departments. Ensures that safety, sanitation, and regulatory standards are upheld through strong leadership and reinforcement of company policies. Champions the implementation and sustainability of the 5S program by setting expectations, removing barriers, and fostering team ownership.</p> </li><li> <p>5% Performing other duties and responsibilities as required or assigned by the VP of Operations.</p> </li></ol> <p>_<strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong>____</strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></p> <p>TOTAL 100%</p> <p>POSITION DIMENSIONS AND QUALIFICATIONS</p> <p>Internal Contacts:</p> <p>Communicating with VP of Operations, Engineering/Maintenance Management, Operations staff, Purchasing/Scheduling Manager, and Sales Managers, Purchasing Coordinator, QC/QA Team, Supervisors, Peers, and Subordinates.</p> <p>External Contacts:</p> <p>Communicating with key customers, vendors, suppliers, contractors, and auditors.</p> <p>Education Level and Focus:</p> <p>A bachelor's degree in Business Management, Operations Management, or a related field is preferred. A combination of education and relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a formal degree.</p> <p>Years and Type of Related Experience Required:</p> <p>Requires 12+ years of progressively responsible experience in operations or manufacturing, including a minimum of 5 years in a leadership role. Experience in food production, continuous improvement initiatives, and cross-functional team management is strongly preferred.</p> <p>Overall Experience & Job Training:</p> <p>In this occupation usually needs several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.</p> <p>SKILLS & ABILITIES</p> <p>Uphold Kagome's Values:</p> <p>Employee works well with others as a team and treats others with respect. Conducts self in a professional manner and exhibits the highest level of integrity. Maintains a positive attitude through good working relationships with our customers, visitors, and co-workers that emphasizes our commitment to good customer service.</p> <p>Attendance:</p> <p>Ability to be punctual with regular attendance. Ability to work overtime when needed. Reliability and acceptable attendance are required. It is critical to be punctual and arrive on time for work and for meetings (if applicable).</p> <p>Productivity:</p> <p>Must consistently fulfill job responsibilities, knowing how to prioritize tasks and manage time effectively.</p> <p>Employee Retention:</p> <p>Build a culture employees and/or co-worker want to be a part of. Be helpful to others and work as a team toward company goals. Participate in an exceptional onboarding experience for new hires and ensure they have the necessary tools to succeed in their roles by welcoming and assisting them. Build employee engagement, recognize, and reward employees, provide avenues for professional development, and manage to retain.</p> <p>Interpersonal and Communication:</p> <p>Interpersonal: Providing information to department managers, supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person. Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others and maintaining them at all times. Motivating, developing, directing people as they work, and identifying the best people for the job. Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions. Managing ones owns time and the time of others.</p> <p>Communication: The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand and to speak clearly so others can understand you. The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person and to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences. The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong and it does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem. Must be able to communicate effectively with co-workers and management team.</p> <p>Technical and Analytical:</p> <p>Knowledge of: E-Time Software; JustFoods ERP Software; Primary 1 Data; Microsoft Word; Microsoft Excel; Microsoft Outlook. Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, statistics, and their applications. Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction. Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.</p> <p>Administration and Operations:</p> <p>Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources. Ability to work in stressful environment and meet deadlines.</p> <p>Physical Demands:</p> <p>Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations and working over a number of hours in one week.</p> <p>Work Environment:</p> <p>Administrative, food plant, cold, hot and humid conditions, wet floors, high noise levels, forklift and pedestrian traffic. This is a Safety Sensitive position.</p> <p>Special Equipment Used:</p> <p>Using computers and computer systems (software) to set up functions, enter data, track, or process information.</p>