Plant Manager at Open People Network — NeverHard

Company: Farm GirlAbout Farm Girl Farm Girl is a proudly Canadian food and beverage company focused on better-for-you cereal and granola products with scaled retail distribution. As production demand continues to grow, we are building a strong operational foundation with a focus on efficiency, safety, and team performance across our manufacturing facility. Position Overview The Plant Manager is responsible for leading all aspects of plant operations, with a strong focus on supporting and enabling Production Supervisors to execute daily manufacturing activities effectively. This role requires a hands-on leader who is highly visible on the production floor and capable of driving performance in a fast-paced, regulated food manufacturing environment. The Plant Manager ensures operational excellence, workforce productivity, and compliance with all applicable Canadian and Ontario regulations, while building a strong culture of accountability and safety. Key Responsibilities Operations Leadership & Execution Oversee all day-to-day plant operations, ensuring production targets, quality standards, and delivery timelines are consistently met Translate production plans into executable schedules through close coordination with Production Supervisors Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) including OEE, labour efficiency, downtime, waste, and throughput Drive continuous improvement initiatives to optimize productivity and reduce costs Own the plant operating budget, including labour and yield variances, scrap/waste targets, and inputs to standard cost setting Leadership & Development of Production Supervisors Lead, coach, and develop a team of Production Supervisors responsible for frontline execution Establish clear expectations, accountability, and performance standards for supervisory staff Provide ongoing coaching in people management, problem-solving, and shift leadership Ensure consistent communication and alignment across shifts Health, Safety & Regulatory Compliance Ensure full compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and all applicable regulations Partner closely with the HR Manager (or safety lead) and support the Joint Health & Safety Committee (JHSC) Reinforce a strong safety culture by holding supervisors accountable for safe work practices Ensure timely resolution of hazards, incidents, and corrective actions on the production floor Quality & Food Safety Ensure compliance with GMP, HACCP, and all food safety standards Partner with QA to maintain product quality, consistency, and traceability Support audits, inspections, and continuous improvement of quality systems Lead allergen management programs (including nut, gluten, and oat-handling controls) across shared production lines Maintain readiness for SQF (or BRC) certification audits in support of retail customer requirements Workforce & Labour Management Oversee labour planning, staffing levels, and shift structures in alignment with production needs Ensure compliance with the Ontario Employment Standards Act (ESA) regarding hours of work, overtime, and breaks Support supervisors in managing attendance, performance, and employee relations in collaboration with HR Foster a respectful, inclusive, and high-performance workplace culture Inventory, Maintenance & Supply Chain Coordination Collaborate with procurement, planning, and logistics to ensure material availability and production continuity Oversee equipment performance and coordinate preventive maintenance with maintenance teams Minimize downtime and production disruptions through proactive planning Continuous Improvement & Scaling Identify and implement process improvements, including lean manufacturing initiatives Support new product launches and scale-up of production lines Build systems and processes that enable sustainable growth Qualifications 7+ years of experience in manufacturing operations, preferably in food or CPG environments 3+ years in a leadership role managing supervisors or frontline leaders Strong knowledge of Canadian manufacturing regulations, including OHSA and ESA Proven experience managing production in a shift-based, fast-paced environment Experience with continuous improvement methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma is an asset) Working knowledge of Joint Health & Safety Committee (JHSC) obligations under Ontario law Preferred Experience in food or beverage manufacturing with GMP/HACCP requirements Strong background in scaling operations in a growing company Key Competencies Highly visible, floor-oriented leadership style Strong coaching and team development skills (especially for supervisors) Operational discipline and data-driven decision-making Ability to balance speed, quality, and safety Proactive and solutions-oriented mindset Why Join Farm Girl? Lead manufacturing for a proudly Canadian better-for-you cereal and granola brand with national retail presence and a growing US footprint (Costco Canada, Sprouts US) Take direct ownership of plant performance, with autonomy and visibility to the executive team Build the operating systems that will carry Farm Girl through its next phase of growth, rather than maintaining legacy ones Work in a category where craft, quality, and food safety meaningfully differentiate the product First Name* Last Name* Email Address* Country* Linkedin* Position* Salary Expectation* Upload Resume* Join Our Community We’ll send you job opportunities, Q&As with industry leaders, career insights, and more.