Canadian Operations Manager at KIOTI Tractor

Canadian Operation Manager

JOB SUMMARY

Canadian Operations Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operational management of Daedong Canada Inc. (dba KIOTI Tractor Canada). This role oversees and coordinates all functions across business administration, sales operations, supply chain, logistics, finance, and people management — ensuring each department operates efficiently and in alignment with company goals. This position serves as the primary operational liaison between Daedong Canada, Daedong-USA (Wendell, NC), and Daedong Corporation (Seoul, South Korea), translating corporate direction into local execution and for supporting corporate governance processes.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES OF JOB

Business Administration & Compliance

• Manage day-to-day business administration including corporate compliance, insurance, facility lease management, and permit coordination.
• Maintain corporate records, coordinate board-level documentation, and support governance processes.
• Oversee HR and labour administration, including onboarding, attendance and PTO tracking, performance cycle coordination, and policy adherence.
• Liaise with external auditors and support annual audit preparation and corporate filings.
• Coordinate office administration and ensure smooth cross-functional communication within the Canadian entity.

Sales Operations & Market Support

• Support the Canadian S&OP process by consolidating local demand input and coordinating with Daedong North America on inventory and supply planning.
• Coordinate annual and promotional sales programs (dealer incentives, seasonal campaigns) in partnership with Daedong-USA Sales leadership.
• Provide local market intelligence and competitive insights to support pricing and product positioning decisions led by Daedong North America.
• Support new product launch activities in the Canadian market, working with the Daedong North America product committee on compliance and dealer communication.
• Prepare regular sales performance updates for Daedong North America leadership.

Supply Chain Support

• Support Canadian demand forecasting and purchase order planning in coordination with Daedong-USA supply chain teams.
• Monitor inbound shipment status and inventory levels, escalating delays or shortages to Daedong North America as needed.
• Maintain updated inventory and supply records, and provide regular status reports to sales and warehouse teams.

International Trade & Customs Compliance

• Oversee international trade operations for Canada, including import documentation (commercial invoices, packing lists, ISFs) and customs brokerage coordination.
• Ensure compliance with CBSA (Canada Border Services Agency) regulations and other Canadian import/export requirements.
• Monitor and optimize inbound freight costs — negotiate rates with carriers, customs brokers, and drayage providers.
• Coordinate with Daedong-USA and Korea HQ on production schedules, shipment timelines, and cross-border supply allocation.
• Manage and resolve trade-related issues including customs holds, documentation discrepancies, and shipment delays.

Warehouse & Distribution Centre Operations

• Oversee overall distribution center operations in coordination with the Warehouse Manager — covering receiving, assembly, storage, shipping, and cycle counting.
• Monitor and manage warehouse KPIs: inventory accuracy, order fulfillment rate, assembly throughput, and shipping timeliness.
• Review and approve warehouse layout changes, racking configurations, and capacity planning in line with business growth.
• Lead or support facility-related projects including warehouse expansion, relocation planning, layout redesign, and municipal permit applications.
• Ensure compliance with health & safety requirements, Ontario labor standards, and internal warehouse SOPs.
• Coordinate with logistics and sales teams to prioritize outbound shipments and manage peak-period capacity.

Finance & Budget Management

• Prepare and manage the Canadian Operation's annual operating budget — track actuals vs. budget and report variances to leadership.
• Work closely with the Sr. Accountant and FP&A Analyst on month-end close, financial reporting, and annual planning cycles.
• Review and approve expenditures within delegated authority — including freight invoices, vendor contracts, and operational expenses.
• Support accounts payable processes, inter-company reconciliation, and financial audit preparation.
• Analyze business performance data (sales revenue, gross margin, operating costs) and provide actionable insights to leadership.

People Management & Team Development

• Directly supervise the Canadian management team and functional leads across all departments (Warehouse, Logistics, Accounting, FP&A, Sales & Market, Office Administration).
• Conduct regular one-on-ones, set performance objectives, and complete annual performance appraisals for direct reports.
• Identify training and development needs; coordinate with Daedong-USA HR on relevant programs and resources.
• Manage recruitment activities for open positions — coordinate job postings, interview processes, and onboarding for new hires.
• Address employee relations matters promptly and in line with company policy and applicable employment standards

Cross-Border Communication & Stakeholder Management

• Act as the primary operational contact for Daedong-USA and Daedong Corporation Korea on all matters related to Canadian operations.
• Participate in regular operational review meetings with Daedong North America leadership — prepare updates, present results, and align on priorities.
• Translate corporate strategy and directives from HQ into actionable plans for the Canadian team.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with key external partners including dealers, vendors, logistics providers, and municipal authorities.
• Represent Daedong Canada in cross-functional meetings, project teams, and external business settings as required.

EDUCATIONAL AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, Supply Chain, or a related field; or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Minimum 7–10 years of progressive experience in business operations, international trade, or related functions, including at least 3–4 years in a supervisory or team lead role.
• Demonstrated experience managing cross-functional teams and coordinating multi-department operations.
• Hands-on experience with supply chain management, demand planning, and/or international logistics (customs, import documentation, carrier coordination).
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite — Excel (advanced), Word, PowerPoint, Outlook
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with ability to collect, interpret, and present data in a clear, actionable format.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to work effectively across organizational levels and across cultures.
• Full professional proficiency in English required; Korean language proficiency is a significant asset given cross-border reporting responsibilities.
• Ability to independently plan and manage multiple priorities with attention to detail.
• Personal integrity, discretion, and sound judgment consistent with a leadership and governance-support role.
• Approximately 5–10% travel may be required.