Assistant Mill Manager at J.D. Irving, Limited

Job Description

Are you ready to take the next big step in your leadership journey? J.D. Irving, Limited is seeking a driven and ambitious individual to join our high-performing team as Assistant Mill Manager at our state-of-the-art sawmill, in Truro, NS. This is more than a job—it's a launchpad for your career in operational leadership.

Join a company that invests in its people and provides the tools, training, and opportunities to help you succeed—today and in the future.

Why This Role is a Game-Changer for Your Career:

• Leadership Development: Work directly with the Site Mill Manager and gain hands-on experience managing a 24/7 operation with over 100 employees.
• Strategic Impact: Play a key role in one of Atlantic Canada's most technologically advanced sawmill operations, producing 115 million board feet annually.
• Career Progression: This role is designed for future leaders. We’re looking for someone who wants to grow into senior leadership roles within our organization.
• Relocation Support: We welcome local talent and those open to relocating. Support is available to help you make the move.
  
  

Responsibilities

What You Will Deliver:

• Leadership, support, development, and direction to a production team of up to 100 employees including supervisors and hourly workers
• Support the Site Mill Manager in leading with a business approach to continually improving safety, quality, and production
• Partner with the Maintenance Manager to ensure smooth plant operations
• Identifying, and overseeing process improvement projects across various areas of the sawmill using Lean and Six Sigma methodologies
• Leading and decision making to achieve operational KPIs
• Promoting continuous improvement through various forms of communications with a broad group of stakeholders, including internal and external departments
• Build and develop diverse teams and an inclusive culture
  
  

Qualifications

What You’ll Bring:

• A passion for leading people and driving performance
• A proactive mindset with the ability to manage change and inspire high-performing teams
• A commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement
• Strong communication and coaching skills to foster a culture of accountability and engagement
• Post-secondary degree/diploma/trade certification, preferably in industrial technology or engineering, forestry, business administration, or management
• Ideal candidates will possess 4+ years of managerial/supervisory experience within an industrial or production environment is preferred
• Proven commitment to top performance while maintaining safety, quality, lumber recovery, and production targets
• Strong communication skills, both spoken and written
• Project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities
  
  

What You Will Receive:

• Competitive base salary and production bonus
• Full benefits: Health, Vision, Dental, Life, and ST/LT Disability Insurance
• RRSP matching (5%)
• Career development & tuition reimbursement
• Leading in-house leadership development and technical training
• Relocation assistance (if required)
  
  

About Us

Founded in 1882, J.D. Irving, Limited (JDI) has operations in Canada and the United States and are a team of 20,000 dedicated employees. At J.D. Irving, Limited, you are part of a dynamic team of professionals who lead with integrity and are passionate about delivering results. With a culture that nurtures talent and creates an inclusive workplace, you can grow your career across our various operating divisions.

We are committed to creating accessible environments for our colleagues, candidates, and customers. Requests for accommodation due to a disability (which may be visible or invisible, temporary, or permanent) can be made at any stage of application and employment. We encourage candidates to make their accommodation needs known so that we can provide equitable opportunities.

Worried you do not meet all the requirements? Studies have shown that many applicants apply only to job opportunities when they feel they meet 100% of the criteria. We promote an inclusive environment where everyone is appreciated, recognized, and empowered to contribute fully. If you are interested in this position but are worried you did not meet all the requirements, we would encourage you to still apply.

We appreciate your interest in our company however only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

About The Team

Irving Sawmills and Irving Forest Products are committed to delivering quality lumber products, strong customer relationships and service reliability, as well as operating safe and efficient operations. We are focused on delivering quality products through continuous investment in our people, our forest products, our local communities and the most up-to-date technology.

Our employees work in some of the most technologically advanced facilities in North America. In addition to our 12 sawmills and value-added mills, our portfolio contains an industrial-grade pellet plant and our Juniper Farms peat bog production facility. Our team of over 2,000 professionals produce premium products that are sold across North America and through our vertically integrated supply chain. We also supply wood chips for our growing Pulp & Paper Division. Careers at Irving Sawmills are exciting and fast-paced, and there are many opportunities to advance and grow a long-term career with the company in various professions such as production and operations, engineering, maintenance and reliability, technicians, and skilled trades, sales & logistics, and professional services. Employees are encouraged to try new roles to grow their skills as well as gain professional exposure across our many locations in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Maine, and New York.