Roots is more than just an/the iconic Canadian retailer, we are a group of passionate employees who act with integrity, trust each other and do what is right. We work in a space where people can grow and develop, with a team of people who own results and are dedicated to seeing Roots win. We seek to build longstanding relationships with partners who share our commitment to maintaining high ethical standards of operation.

We are currently seeking a Director of Plant Operations who will seek inspiration from our roots, can commit to achieving results the right way and loves to think big to join us on our journey.

The Director of Plant Operations is responsible for developing, implementing and maintaining operational policies, directing operations, recruiting and developing teams and facilitating open and effective communication at all levels of the factory. Through the effective management of targets, goals, budgets, and production efficiencies, the Director of Plant Operations will ensure the ongoing success of the Roots Leather Factory.

The Director of Plant Operations for Roots will be responsible for the following:

• Provide leadership to the Plant Manager and production team by planning and directing work activities to ensure efficient and timely execution of the production plan
• Demand forecasting and scheduling the allocation of labour, raw materials, work centers, machinery, and production processes
• Develop, monitor and implement initiatives to determine optimum levels of production to allow for the best utilization of machinery, materials and human resources
• Monitor production volumes, cost efficiencies (labour, machinery, products/styles) and progress against production plans and budgets, and conduct routine production analysis to identify trends, patterns, and root causes of manufacturing issues and develop solutions to address them
• Assess direct labour and materials requirements in collaboration with the Director of Leather Product Development based on projections and production capacity, and monitor and adjust costs as needed throughout the production cycle
• Provide input for the manufacturing budget including direct, indirect labour
• Develop production KPIs and prepare plans to meet and maintain these metrics
• Responsible for leading activities around recruiting and retaining the production team. Assign, direct and evaluate their work, and approve time off
• Develop and implement key person risk assessments, contingency, and succession plans for the production management team as well as production floor employees in collaboration with HR
• Ensure safe work environment and safety performance through participation in JHSC, accident investigations, safety reviews and strategic planning of workplace hazards
• Accountable for ensuring that product meets quality standards
• Develop and enforce policies and SOPs
• Responsible for leading continuous operational improvement initiatives for the facility including identify areas for process improvement, developing and implementing strategies to optimize production schedules, eliminate production problems, improve product quality, reduce costs and waste, and increase capacity and efficiencies
• Where applicable review, recommend, approve contracts and cost estimates
• Continuous assessment of the manufacturing facilities, machinery, and systems to recommend and establish efficient workflows and layout of factory
• Conduct regular audits and inspections to ensure adherence to quality standards and regulatory requirements
• Analyze technology, resource needs, and market demand to plan and assess feasibility
• Plan and budget for the installation, testing, operation, maintenance, and repair of facilities and equipment
• Collaborate and communicate with key stakeholders including but not limited to Finance, Product, DC, QA & Legal, etc.
• Stay current with relevant industry trends to develop plans for changes to machinery, production systems, and methods of work
• Maintain and promote the Roots culture, building a motivated and engaged team to support our goals

Top candidates for the Director of Plant Operations role will have the following:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business Administration, or equivalent
• Extensive manufacturing experience, leather or textiles/apparel is an asset
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel and Word (highly experienced in in Excel analysis tools)
• Strong leadership skills, ability to motivate and lead a large team, and excellent team player
• Excellent communication interpersonal skills, and flexibility in dealing with constantly shifting priorities
• Ability to lead and facilitate team meetings
• Demonstrated leadership, initiative, and autonomy
• Minimum 5 years experience in a high-volume manufacturing environment

Founded in 1973, Roots Canada is a publicly held Canadian lifestyle brand that sells apparel, leather bags, small leather goods, footwear and active athletic wear with over 100 retail stores in North America and Asia.