About Us
Organic Traditions is a Canadian family owned and operated company. We desire to nourish people with the most nutrient dense superfoods from healing traditions around the world. Our vision is to inspire people to fuel themselves with high-quality, organic nutrition for prevention, regeneration, and longevity so they can live their healthiest, most vibrant life possible.
We are a growing, fast-paced, entrepreneurial business where you can use your initiative, creativity, and skill to help take our established organic health food brand to the next level.
The Opportunity
We are seeking a self-motivated and detail-oriented Plant Manager to oversee our food manufacturing facility. This role is responsible for the overall performance of the facility’s production, fulfillment, and shipping/receiving operations. Working through a Fulfillment Manager and Production Lead, this role ensures the plant floor runs smoothly, safely, efficiently, and on schedule. The. Manager is visibly present in the facility, sets the standard for operational discipline, and makes real-time decisions that keep throughput on track and quality uncompromised.
Equally important is this role’s responsibility as an operational bridge. The Plant Manager works closely with QA & Regulatory to ensure product integrity and compliance, and with Supply Chain to translate forecasts and inventory signals into executable production and fulfillment plans. Success in this role means the plant floor and the broader operations team are always aligned.
The ideal candidate thrives in entrepreneurial spaces and brings deep practical knowledge of food manufacturing processes. They have excellent communication skills, adept knowledge of labour relations, and strength in change management and culture leadership. This role will lead our operational excellence and drive company core values at the facility level.
About the Role
Production Operations
- Working through the Production Lead, ensure all production processes - including mixing, bagging, filling, sprouting, and milling - are executed to standard, on schedule, and within quality specifications.
- Hold daily pre-shift check-ins with the plant leads to review targets, flag issues, and align on priorities
- Be present on the production floor throughout the shift to observe, coach, and intervene when execution falls short of SOP or quality expectations
- Own the master production schedule in coordination with Supply Chain & Demand Planning; translate weekly demand signals into daily production assignments and resource plans
- Identify production bottlenecks, equipment issues, or process gaps and drive resolution — directly when immediate, or through escalation when requiring maintenance or capital action
- Review, maintain, and enforce all production SOPs; work with the Production Lead to ensure procedures are current, accessible, and consistently followed across all shifts.
- Ensure proper stock rotation (FIFO/FEFO) is maintained across all raw materials and work-in-progress
- Collaborate with the product development team when new SKUs are introduced - assess production feasibility, coordinate trial runs with the Production Lead, and ensure smooth line integration before full-scale launch
- Perform and oversee daily and monthly CFIA monitoring tasks; maintain accurate records
Fulfillment Operations
- Oversee the Fulfillment Manager’s day-to-day execution of customer order picking, packing, and PO fulfillment; hold the team accountable to accuracy, throughput, and on-time delivery.
- Review daily fulfillment targets with the Fulfillment Manager; remove blockers and ensure the team has the labor, materials, and information needed to execute
- Monitor order accuracy and packing quality through regular floor presence and spot checks; support the Fulfillment Manager in identifying and correcting recurring errors
- Work with Supply Chain & Demand Planning to align on order priorities, manage rush or high-volume periods, and proactively surface any fulfillment constraints
- Ensure finished goods inventory is accurately tracked and properly staged to support on-time, in-full delivery
- Collaborate with the Fulfillment Manager to continuously improve pick-and-pack workflows, space utilization, and labor efficiency
Shipping & Receiving
- Set clear expectations, remove obstacles, and ensure this function is aligned with the broader needs of the facility and supply chain partners.
- Ensure the shipping & receiving team have the resources, information, and cross-functional support needed to process inbound raw materials and packaging accurately — including POs, BOLs, and COAs
- Hold the department accountable to documentation accuracy, area organization, and compliance with receiving and shipping procedures
- Serve as the escalation point for supplier or carrier issues that cannot be resolved at the supervisor level; engage Supply Chain & Demand Planning as needed
- Ensure inventory records for raw goods and packaging are maintained accurately by the team; review for gaps and ensure low-stock signals reach Supply Chain & Demand Planning in a timely manner
- Periodically audit inbound quality checks and outbound shipment accuracy to ensure standards are being consistently upheld
Cross-functional Collaboration
This role is the operational point of contact for key internal partners. Strong cross-functional relationships are critical to keeping the plant and the broader operations team aligned.
- QA & Regulatory: Partner daily to ensure product quality and food safety standards are upheld on the floor; support audits, inspections, and regulatory review; act on QA findings quickly and close corrective actions on time
- Supply Chain & Demand Planning: Participate in regular planning meetings to review demand forecasts, inventory levels, and upcoming order volumes; translate this input into production and fulfillment schedules; flag capacity constraints or raw material gaps early
- Product Development: Coordinate new product trials and line introductions, ensuring the production team is prepared and all SOPs are in place before launch
- HR: Liaise on workforce needs including recruiting, onboarding, performance matters, and employee relations for plant floor staff
Food Safety, Quality & Compliance
- Ensure all plant operations comply with Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) policies, GMPs, and applicable city, municipal, and federal regulations
- Model and reinforce a strong food safety culture on the floor; ensure all team members are aware of and consistently follow food safety, quality, and GMP policies
- Support QA & Regulatory during internal audits, third-party inspections, and regulatory visits; own corrective action follow-through for any operational findings
- Ensure all plant staff receive adequate food safety and GMP training before working independently; maintain current training records
- Initiate holds and investigations for any nonconforming materials or quality deviations; communicate immediately with QA & Regulatory
Continuous Improvement & Operational Performance
- Track and report key operational KPIs including units produced per shift, order fill rate, receiving accuracy, waste percentage, and on-time delivery; share regular updates with management and cross-functional partners.
- Lead floor-level process improvement initiatives — from workflow redesign and layout improvements to equipment adjustments and tooling changes.
- Drive root cause analysis (RCA) for recurring operational issues; develop corrective action plans and see them through to resolution.
- Identify opportunities for efficiency gains, waste reduction, or automation; bring recommendations to management with supporting operational context.
Team Leadership & Development
- Provide clear direction, coaching, and development to the Fulfillment Manager, Production Lead, and Shipping & Receiving Supervisor; set expectations, give regular feedback, and hold each direct report accountable to performance
- Support direct reports in developing their own teams — provide guidance on hiring, onboarding, training, and day-to-day people management
- Manage overall plant floor scheduling in coordination with direct reports to ensure adequate coverage across all areas and shifts
- Foster a positive, inclusive, and accountable team culture where safety, quality, and continuous improvement are non-negotiable
- Liaise with HR on workforce matters including recruitment, disciplinary actions, and employee relations as they arise
Who You Are
- 7+ years of experience in warehouse, food manufacturing, or production operations with at least 2 years in a management role overseeing other supervisors or leads
- Demonstrated ability to manage through direct reports – setting direction, developing people, and holding teams accountable to results
- Working knowledge of food safety standards including GMPs, HACCP principles, and CFIA requirements
- Experience working cross-functionally with teams such as supply chain, quality assurance, or product development in an operations environment
- Proficiency with production scheduling, inventory management, and order fulfillment workflows
- Strong analytical skills – comfortable reviewing operational data, identifying trends, and making data-driven decisions
- Excellent organizational skills and communication skills; able to translate between operational realities and cross-functional planning needs
- Experience with specialized food production processes such as sprouting, milling, bagging or bulk filling
- Familiarity with ERP or WMS systems for production and inventory management
- HACCP certification or equivalent food safety credential
- Experience with lean manufacturing, 5S, or continuous improvement methodologies
Pay: $95,000.00-$140,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company events
- Dental care
- Disability insurance
- Discounted or free food
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision care
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Toronto, ON M9L 2W3: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)
Application question(s):
- What are your annual base salary expectations?
Work Location: In person
