Operations Manager

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OPERATIONS MANAGER

We are seeking an Operations Manager to lead Plant production operations in London, Ontario. This role is accountable for safely and consistently delivering the production plan while achieving expectations for people safety, food safety, quality, service, cost, productivity, waste, labor efficiency, and equipment effectiveness.

As a key member of the site leadership team, this position is accountable for the operational strategy and delivering results against headcount, volume throughput, efficiency, financial variances, and other KPIs.  The Operations Manager builds organizational capability through servant leadership, while driving adoption and sustainment of the Dessert Operating System (DOS), Total Productivity Management (TPM), and Continuous Improvement principles (5S, LEAN, 6-sigma).  

This leader will partner closely with EHS, Quality, Food Safety, Maintenance, Engineering, Supply Chain, Warehouse, Human Resources, Finance, and R&D to remove operational constraints and deliver site and enterprise priorities.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Champion a culture of safety, food safety, and quality, ensuring compliance with GMPs, sanitation standards, and operating procedures.
• Lead plant operations to achieve performance goals across safety, quality, service, cost, productivity, and people metrics.
• Execute production plans effectively by aligning resources, priorities, and cross-functional support.
• Identify and resolve operational risks, capacity constraints, equipment issues, and material shortages to maintain reliable performance.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory, company, and food safety requirements, maintaining accurate operational and training records.
• Build, coach, and develop high-performing teams and frontline leaders through servant leadership and accountability.
• Drive talent development, succession planning, employee engagement, and workforce capability in partnership with Human Resources.
• Manage operating budgets and control labor, yield, waste, throughput, and conversion costs to meet financial objectives.
• Partner with Finance and plant leadership to close performance gaps and deliver productivity improvement targets.
• Support plant strategy, capital investment projects, and new product introductions from an operations perspective.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives using Lean manufacturing, TPM, root cause analysis, and operational excellence practices.
• Drive execution of the Dessert Operating System through KPI management, tiered meetings, visual performance tracking, and escalation processes.
• Promote equipment reliability and operator ownership through preventive practices, problem detection, and standardized work.
• Establish, implement, and sustain process improvements through effective training, documentation, and accountability.
• Ensure the facility remains audit-ready for customer, regulatory, and certification requirements at all times.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations, Business, Supply Chain, Food Science, or a related discipline; an equivalent combination of education and relevant manufacturing experience may be considered.
• 5+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience with direct responsibility for production operations and frontline teams.  Prior food manufacturing experience is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver results across safety, quality, service, cost, productivity, labor, waste, and operational performance.
• Strong understanding of production management, workforce planning, manufacturing processes, food safety and quality systems, maintenance coordination, and materials management.
• Experience managing manufacturing KPIs, labor performance, operating expenses, budgets, and corrective action plans.
• Practical experience applying Lean Manufacturing, TPM, root cause analysis, structured problem solving, and Continuous Improvement methodologies.
• Demonstrated ability to lead organizational change, develop leaders, establish accountability, and sustain operating improvements.
• Strong communication and cross-functional leadership skills with the ability to align multiple functions around plant priorities and business results.

 

About Dessert Holdings

Dessert Holdings is a collection of premium dessert companies and brands:  The Original Cakerie, Lawler’s Desserts, Atlanta Cheesecake Company, Steven Charles, Dianne’s Fine Desserts, Kenny’s Great Pies, and Willamette Valley Pie Company.  Dessert Holdings is owned by Bain Capital, is headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota, employs more than 3,500 people across ten manufacturing facilities, and is continuing its journey of rapid growth.

EEO Statement

Dessert Holdings and its related entities provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or any other characteristics protected by law.