Director Of Operations

Position Title:                     Director, Operations

Division:                               NCC Automated Systems

Reports To:                      General Manager, NCC Automated Systems

ROLE SUMMARY:

NCC Automated Systems is a Full-Service Automation Systems Integrator with over 35 years of experience. In addition to integrating some of the world’s best automation equipment solutions, we also offer in-house mechanical and electrical design and manufacturing. We can provide complete turnkey solutions, as well as equipment. In 2021, NCC Automated Systems joined ATS Automation, a publicly traded technology company (TSX: ATA) with facilities focused on Automation and Technology across a wide range of industry verticals.

In this role you will be part of the Senior Leadership team for the business unit, responsible for creating and driving strategies, execution, culture, people development and implementing lean principles to support aggressive, sustainable long term business growth for a $35M+ growing business.

MAJOR DUTIES:

Reporting directly to the General Manager, NCC Automated Systems, the Director, Operations has responsibility for establishing, overseeing, evaluating, and driving management direction for all manufacturing, production, planning, materials, health, safety and environmental (HS&E), IT, and assembly related disciplines for the business. As a key leader in this dynamic, growth-oriented business, you will have 6 direct reports and a team of approximately 50 full-time employees, in an organization of approximately 80 people.

The initial focus of the role will be to effectively utilize the manufacturing footprint and skillset within NCC to measure and drive continuous improvements for the Key Performance Indicators around operations.  This will require an in-depth understanding of both capital equipment project planning and execution, coupled with a product-focused knowledge around more traditional manufacturing planning and execution strategies.

In this capacity you will work closely with the Sales teams, Finance, Project management, Business unit leaders, Engineering, General Manager, and key customers to drive continued and sustainable growth.

The Director, Operations will also be instrumental in fostering the ATS Business Model (ABM) mindset and culture of Continuous Improvement within day-to-day operations which will be essential to our long-term success. Specifically, you will need to draw upon a deep knowledge of lean processes and tools to prepare the business to scale and meet customer commitments, while teaching your team how to effectively use these tools.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES: 

The Director, Operations is accountable for four key objectives:

• Development of our people and champion of culture.
• Continuous improvement in operational efficiencies and reductions in cost.
• Delivery of projects and products orders on time and on budget.
• Total customer satisfaction.

Your success will be measured by:

• Financial & Business Performance:
  • Achievement against Established FY25 Plan (Revenue, EBIT, and working capital)
  • Significant increase in capacity to support additional Glide-Line sales, supporting improved mix for EBIT accretion.
  • Maintain >90% On time delivery
  • Establish and maintain Quality KPI objective
  • Support Working Capital KPI objective with smart inventory management
• Operational Leadership:
  • Development of the operations leadership talent, with a core focus on our ‘People’
  • Establishing an operational strategy and adjusting the organization to meet the manufacturing strategy of the business.
  • Maintenance and upgrades of facility and equipment
• Lean (ABM) Transformation:
  • Define and maintain daily visual management to meet stakeholder needs for all operational areas
  • Leverage Value Stream Mapping to identify and address Bottlenecks in production processes
  • Improve the overall safety performance of the company, with a goal of 0 Lost-time Accidents in the workplace, and year-over-year improvements in safety.

Health and Safety:

• Site leader for all Health, Safety and Environment requirements.
• Hold team members accountable for health, safety and environmental compliance as part of the annual performance review process.
• Ensure that the requirements of the health, safety and environment management system are implemented and maintained.
• Carry out hazard assessments, inspections, and audits as required by legislative framework and/or corporate requirements.
• Ensure that training is provided to all departmental employees and are per established in the training matrix.
• Implement appropriate corrective measures for unsafe conditions and unsafe acts.
• Ensure that appropriate equipment, materials and protective devices are provided and maintained in a safe condition.
• Provide information, instruction and supervision to employees.
• Take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of employees.
• Attend Health, Safety, & Environmental Management training sessions.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

• A degree in Engineering, Business, Manufacturing or another related field required

Experience:

• Demonstrated leadership in a product-based production environment for >8 years.
• Well versed in manufacturing operations, regulatory compliance, and planning development – including supply-chain, procurement, drawings, planning/scheduling, and management.
• Proven knowledge and experience in MRP (material resource planning) and/or Kanban, inventory control and supply chain methodologies.
• Strong communication and presentation skills is required - this position requires the maturity, education, presence and competence to achieve credibility and respect from within the Company and from professionally qualified customer personnel who are responsible for placing multi-million-dollar orders
• The ideal candidate will have proven experience leading teams in both a project-based and product-based environment. 
• Deep knowledge and experience with Lean Manufacturing & Continuous Improvement concepts, tools and methodology required
• Computer literacy as applied to manufacturing management preferred