Director of Operations

Job Title: Director of Operations
Location: New Annan, PEI
TP - CFL - 8734

Meridia Recruitment Solutions is proud to partner with Cavendish Farms in the search for a Director of Operations to lead two high-performing manufacturing facilities in New Annan, Prince Edward Island. This is a key leadership role responsible for driving operational excellence, safety, and continuous improvement in the production of high-quality frozen potato and appetizer products.

Role Description

Reporting to the Senior Director of Operations, the Director of Operations will oversee all aspects of plant performance, including production planning, safety, quality, financials, and team development. You’ll lead a team of managers and staff, ensuring that daily operations align with strategic goals and deliver consistent results.

This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a fast-paced, values-driven organization. You’ll work closely with senior leadership, growers, and cross-functional teams to ensure plant operations meet customer expectations and business objectives.

Your responsibilities will include:

Leadership & Culture

• Lead and engage a diverse team of professionals to ensure operational excellence and alignment with strategic goals.
• Foster a respectful, inclusive, and safety-first workplace culture.
• Coach and develop team members, ensuring alignment with Cavendish Farms’ values and performance standards.

Strategy & Planning

• Translate demand requirements into actionable production plans.
• Coordinate staffing, raw materials, and ingredient needs to meet production goals.
• Provide input on product development and innovation.

Operational Excellence

• Facilitate regular production reviews to monitor performance and close gaps.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across the plant.
• Ensure adherence to food safety and quality standards.

Financial & Budget Management

• Oversee plant financials, including budgeting, forecasting, and cost control.
• Analyze performance metrics and recommend actions to improve efficiency and profitability.

Raw Product Management

• Negotiate contracts with growers and communicate product specifications.
• Ensure raw product quality meets operational and customer standards.

Safety & Compliance

• Promote a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with environmental and regulatory standards.
• Maintain quality systems and respond to customer complaints with corrective actions.

Ideal Qualifications

• Post-secondary education in Engineering, Food Science, or Business Administration.
• 15+ years of experience in food manufacturing, including 10+ years in people leadership.
• Proven ability to lead plant operations and drive performance improvements.
• Strong financial acumen and experience managing budgets and forecasts.
• Knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience in raw product management and supplier negotiations.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and team-building skills.