Vice President, Engineering & Manufacturing Operations

Job Title: Vice President, Engineering & Manufacturing Operations
Location: St. Stephen, New Brunswick, Canada
TP - GAN - 9275

For more than 150 years, Ganong has been shaping some of North America’s most beloved chocolate and confectionery traditions. As one of the continent’s longest-standing family owned manufacturers, our commitment to craftsmanship, quality, and innovation runs deep. From our state-of-the-art facility in St. Stephen, New Brunswick, a welcoming coastal town bordering Calais, Maine, we proudly produce iconic confections enjoyed across Canada and beyond.

We are now seeking a strategic, forward thinking Vice President, Engineering & Manufacturing Operations to lead our manufacturing organization and drive the next chapter of operational excellence, innovation, and growth.

Role Description:

Reporting to the COO, the Vice President, Engineering & Manufacturing Operations will lead the engineering strategy and technical execution of Ganong’s manufacturing systems. This role is responsible for process engineering, capital projects, automation strategy, equipment optimization, and manufacturing performance improvement across the organization’s production facilities.

Your responsibilities include:

Engineering & Technical Leadership

• Lead the design, optimization, and continuous improvement of manufacturing processes, production lines, and facility infrastructure.
• Direct capital engineering projects, including automation, equipment upgrades, plant expansion, and process redesign.
• Oversee manufacturing engineering, maintenance engineering, and technical services functions.
• Evaluate and implement advanced manufacturing technologies to enhance throughput, quality, and cost efficiency.
• Ensure all manufacturing systems are engineered to meet regulatory, food safety, and quality standards.
• Drive reliability engineering strategies to improve equipment uptime and performance.

Manufacturing Execution & Performance

• Translate engineered capacity into operational performance targets.
• Collaborate with Planning and Supply Chain to align engineered production capability with demand forecasts.
• Support quality systems through engineering controls, validation, and process verification.

Strategic & Financial Oversight

• Develop and manage capital investment plans aligned with long-term engineering roadmap.
• Oversee engineering and manufacturing budgets.
• Participate as a member of the Executive Leadership Team, providing engineering and technical expertise to inform corporate strategy, capital planning, and operational performance objectives.

Qualifications:

As the ideal candidate, you bring senior level experience in food or confectionery manufacturing, with a demonstrated record of improving operational performance and delivering measurable cost, quality, and efficiency gains.

Your qualifications include:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Industrial, Chemical, Manufacturing, or related field).
• Professional Engineer (P.Eng or P.E.) designation, or eligibility for licensure in Canada (strongly preferred).
• 10+ years of experience in manufacturing operations, including 5+ years in senior leadership.
• Deep knowledge of food safety regulations, quality systems, and manufacturing best practices.
• Proven achievements in process optimization, operational excellence, and cost reduction initiatives.
• Strong leadership, communication, and collaboration skills, with the ability to influence at all organizational levels.
• Strategic, results oriented mindset with the ability to thrive in a fast paced, dynamic environment.

Joining Ganong means more than stepping into a key leadership role. It means you’ll be joining a vibrant community. St. Stephen offers a safe, welcoming environment, affordable housing, abundant outdoor activities, and convenient access to major transportation hubs. It’s a place where families thrive and leaders can enjoy a fulfilling lifestyle alongside a meaningful career.