Operations Manager

IKO Industries Ltd. is a market leader in the manufacturing of roofing and building materials. IKO is a Canadian owned and operated business with production facilities worldwide and has many years of unparalleled success in the roofing materials industry. Quality, integrity, and trustworthiness are the values that underlie this success, and we have built this company by hiring people who hold these values. People like you!

Job Description

Job Summary:

We are seeking an experienced Operations Manager with a strong background in polyiso manufacturing to oversee production operations and assume Plant leadership duties at our Brampton, Ontario facility. This role is responsible for managing the end-to-end manufacturing process of polyisocyanurate foam insulation, ensuring operational excellence, product quality, and plant performance. The successful candidate will lead production teams, optimize processes, manage budgets, and ensure compliance with safety and environmental standards while driving continuous improvement initiatives. The position requires the ability to travel outside of Canada as needed to support company objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee all aspects of polyiso manufacturing operations at the Brampton facility, including raw material handling (e.g., polyols, isocyanates, blowing agents), foam production, lamination, cutting, and packaging.
• Direct production planning, scheduling, and resource allocation to meet demand while minimizing costs and maintaining quality standards.
• Monitor and optimize key process parameters (e.g., reaction rates, foam density, curing times) to ensure consistent polyiso product performance and compliance with industry standards (e.g., ASTM, UL).
• Lead a team of supervisors, operators, and maintenance staff, fostering a culture of safety, accountability, and operational excellence.
• Develop and manage the plant’s operating budget, including labor, materials, and capital expenditures, while identifying cost-saving opportunities.
• Ensure equipment reliability through preventive maintenance programs, troubleshooting, and coordination with maintenance teams for repairs and upgrades.
• Implement and sustain continuous improvement initiatives (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma) to enhance productivity, reduce waste, and improve yield in polyiso production.
• Maintain compliance with Canadian occupational health and safety regulations (e.g., OHSA), Environmental Protection Act standards, and other provincial requirements, including safe handling of chemicals (e.g., pentane, HFOs) and waste management.
• Collaborate with quality assurance teams to address product defects, conduct root cause analysis, and implement corrective actions.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for plant-level decision-making in Brampton, including vendor negotiations, workforce management, and emergency response planning.
• Coordinate with R&D and engineering teams to support new product development, process trials, and equipment modifications.
• Prepare and present performance reports (e.g., production metrics, downtime analysis, safety incidents) to senior leadership.
• Travel outside of Canada as required to attend meetings, visit other facilities, or collaborate with global teams on operational or strategic initiatives.
  
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in manufacturing operations, polyiso or similar foam insulation production (e.g., XPS, EPS, PUR) would be beneficial.
• Proven track record in plant management or operations leadership, including budgeting, staffing, and process optimization.
• Strong knowledge of polyiso manufacturing processes, including chemical reactions, blowing agents (e.g., pentane, HFOs), and continuous lamination systems.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams, manage conflict, and drive performance in a fast-paced production setting.
• Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or other process improvement methodologies is a plus.
• Proficiency in production management software (e.g., ERP systems, MES) and data analysis tools.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills to manage cross-functional teams and interact with senior management.
• In-depth understanding of Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), Environmental Protection Act, and fire safety regulations related to chemical handling and foam production.
• Ability and willingness to travel outside of Canada as needed, with a valid passport and no travel restrictions.
  
  

Preferred Skills

• Direct experience managing polyiso production lines, including familiarity with pentane-based blowing agents and fire-retardant additives.
• Project management experience related to plant expansions, equipment upgrades, or safety system enhancements.
• Knowledge of energy efficiency and sustainability practices in insulation manufacturing, aligned with Canadian environmental goals.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in the Brampton, Ontario plant environment, including standing for extended periods, climbing stairs/ladders, and occasional lifting up to 50 lbs.
• Willingness to be on-call for plant emergencies or production issues.
• Flexibility to travel internationally, including potential overnight stays.
  
  

Benefits of Employment: IKO recognizes that its success is due to the strength of its employees. A primary goal of IKO is to promote individual employee's sense of accomplishment and contribution so that employees enjoy their association with IKO. The Company invests in its employees so that they are the most knowledgeable in the industry, and undertakes great efforts to nurture loyalty to, and teamwork at, IKO. We are pleased to offer competitive compensation, health care, a progressive and challenging workplace and a commitment to teamwork and integrity.

Diversity and Equal Opportunity Employment: IKO Industries Ltd. is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to diversity and inclusion and are pleased to consider all qualified applicants for employment without consideration to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status or disability. IKO Industries Ltd. encourages and welcomes applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.