Director of Manufacturing Operations

Do you enjoy structuring project-based manufacturing operations, optimizing internal capacity, and coordinating a network of external partners? This role is for you.

Planiform is currently looking for a Director of manufacturing operations to join our team. We are experiencing strong growth, with many exciting projects underway and ahead.

Who are we ?

Founded over 50 years ago in Terrebonne, Planiform is a global leader in garment-on-hanger warehouse automation. We design, manufacture and install automated and robotic solutions that transform the way garments are stored, sorted, retrieved and shipped.

Our custom systems equip distribution centres, e-commerce operations and retail stores for some of the world’s leading brands. From design to installation, our multidisciplinary teams continuously push the boundaries of engineering to create faster, smarter and higher-performing solutions.

Working at Planiform means contributing to international-scale technology projects while growing within an agile, innovative and fast-growing company.

Position-related compensation and benefits

· Competitive total compensation based on experience and the scope of the role

· Flexible work schedule

· Remote work option based on the needs of the role and operational priorities

· Retirement savings program with employer contributions

· Comprehensive group insurance plan with employer contributions

· Personal days supporting work-life balance

· Additional time off for your birthday

· Paid company closure during the holiday season

· Wellness and team-building initiatives, including a community garden during the summer

· Annual allowance supporting personal activities and well-being outside of work

· Welcoming work environment that allows pets in the office, subject to applicable guidelines

Position Summary

The Director of Manufacturing Operations is responsible for defining and deploying Planiform’s operational strategy across all manufacturing activities, including internal and external production capacity, manufacturing subcontracting, production planning, and procurement.

Reporting to the President and serving as a member of the Management Committee, the incumbent manages internal manufacturing capacity, consisting of 10 to 20 people depending on project scope, and

external capacity through subcontracting requiring significant coordination, in order to support the company’s growth while achieving quality, cost, lead-time, capacity, and productivity objectives.

The Director leads the improvement of production methods, both internally and at subcontractors, factory organization, and the integration of deliverables into projects. The Director also ensures that the required standards, processes, and resources are in place to support efficient operations.

Main Responsibilities

Operations Management

· Define the overall manufacturing operations strategy, considering the internal capacity and external expertise required to achieve the company’s growth objectives and priorities.

· Plan and optimize the overall organization of manufacturing activities.

· Assess internal and external capacity, available skills, temporary workforce needs, and the equipment and infrastructure required as operations evolve, taking project variability into account.

· Define operational priorities and ensure alignment with project and organizational needs.

· Implement performance indicators to monitor internal operations and subcontractor performance, including productivity, schedule adherence, actual costs, and quality.

· Analyze operational performance and implement required corrective or improvement actions.

· Contribute to the preparation of operational budgets and monitor expenses within the scope of responsibility.

Production Methods and Continuous Improvement

· Define and optimize manufacturing and assembly methods for work performed internally and, where relevant, methods agreed upon with subcontractors.

· Review the physical and functional organization of the plant to optimize production flows, productivity, and space utilization.

· Identify opportunities for automation, standardization, and continuous improvement.

· Foster a culture of continuous improvement and structured problem-solving.

· Ensure manufacturing processes are documented, understood, and consistently applied.

· Work closely with Engineering teams to facilitate product manufacturing and resolve technical issues encountered in production.

· Participate in design reviews and make-or-buy decisions to incorporate capacity, cost, lead-time, and skills constraints from the start of projects.

Production Planning

· Oversee the manufacturing planning process to ensure alignment between project requirements, the availability of internal and external resources, and production capacity.

· Ensure the reliability of ERP data and production planning processes.

· Establish production priorities in collaboration with the Planner and other relevant functions.

· Anticipate capacity, material, resource, supplier, and subcontractor constraints that may affect schedules, including availability, lead times, specialized skills, quality, and dependency on certain partners.

· Implement mechanisms that provide a consolidated view of total manufacturing workload and capacity, including plant and subcontractor capacity.

Quality Management

· Define quality standards applicable to manufacturing operations, including parts, subassemblies, and equipment manufactured by subcontractors.

· Ensure manufacturing methods comply with technical requirements, drawings, specifications, and applicable standards.

· Establish the required control mechanisms to ensure product conformity.

· Work with the Plant Supervisor to ensure quality standards are applied and maintained on the production floor.

· Analyze recurring quality issues and implement sustainable corrective actions.

Procurement

· Define, in collaboration with the Director, Procurement and Logistics, the company’s overall procurement strategy.

· Support the Director, Procurement and Logistics on strategic matters related to her area of responsibility.

· Define the manufacturing subcontracting strategy and the resulting technical and capacity requirements.

· Approve schedules and monitor subcontractors’ operational performance.

Health, Safety and Compliance

· Promote a culture in which health and safety are priorities in operational decision-making.

· Ensure that work organization, methods, and equipment allow activities to be performed safely.

· Support the Plant Supervisor and Health and Safety Committee members in implementing required actions.

· Ensure that regulatory and internal requirements applicable to manufacturing operations are integrated into plant processes.

Candidate Profile

Education and Experience

· Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, preferably Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline.

· Membership with the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec (OIQ) is considered an asset.

· Significant experience managing custom, project-based, low-volume, or highly variable manufacturing operations.

· Experience managing a small or medium-sized manufacturing team, combined with coordinating a network of subcontractors.

· Experience managing and developing teams.

· Experience optimizing production methods and implementing continuous improvement initiatives.

· Strong working knowledge of ERP systems and manufacturing planning tools.

Skills and Competencies

· Strong leadership skills and ability to develop high-performing teams.

· Strong ability to structure and optimize manufacturing operations.

· Strategic mindset combined with a strong ability to execute.

· Strong skills in production planning, capacity management, and process optimization.

· Good understanding of Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement principles.

· Strong understanding of quality requirements within a manufacturing and assembly environment.

· Ability to read and interpret technical drawings and manufacturing plans.

· Knowledge of welding symbols, requirements, and applicable welding codes.

· Essential expertise in procurement, manufacturing subcontracting, and supplier and partner performance management.

· Ability to work effectively in a project-driven environment where priorities and volumes may vary.

· Ability to quickly adjust workforce levels, schedules, manufacturing sequences, and subcontracting based on the project portfolio.

· Excellent communication, collaboration, and influencing skills.

· Ability to work effectively with technical teams, particularly Engineering.

Specific Requirements

· Proficiency in both French and English, spoken and written, due to Planiform’s significant presence in the United States and its international client base.

· Availability for occasional visits to subcontractors or suppliers in Quebec, Canada, or the United States.