Operations Manager, Waterloo

Your Impact:
As the Operations Manager at Samuel Automation, Waterloo, you will lead the overall performance of both engineering and manufacturing within our custom machine building operations. Reporting to the Vice President, Operations, Samuel Automation, you will work through functional managers and team leads to ensure that projects are executed efficiently, safely, and to the highest quality standards. Your leadership will align cross-functional teams to drive operational success, foster collaboration, and support the continued growth of the Waterloo facility and Samuel Automation.

What You’ll be Doing:
•    Provide strategic leadership across Engineering and Manufacturing to ensure seamless project execution and delivery.
•    Oversee functional performance through the Management Team and supervisors, driving operational optimization and proactively mitigating risks across engineering and manufacturing.
•    Partner with Project Management and Supply Chain to align resources and remove barriers to delivery.
•    Translate organizational strategy into operational plans that enable scalable, cost-effective, and high-quality delivery of custom automation solutions.
•    Lead performance management of operational KPIs including safety, quality, delivery, and customer satisfaction.
•    Ensure integration of engineering deliverables with manufacturing capabilities to support efficient builds meeting customer’s expectation.
•    Leverage data and technology to enable real-time visibility, improve decision-making, and enhance operational efficiency.
•    Drive a culture of continuous improvement by embedding Lean principles and fostering employee ownership of performance outcomes.
•    Collaborate on capacity planning, talent development, and succession planning within operations and across Samuel Automation.
•    Manage operational budgets, cost tracking, and profitability.
•    Financial forecasting including revenue and costs.
•    Analyze project profitability, margins, and cost variances
•    Track actual performance against forecasts and recommend corrective actions
•    Support capital investment planning and business plan.
•    Champion safety, quality, and operational excellence at all levels of the organization.
•    Act as a key liaison between Samuel Automation Leadership and day-to-day operations, providing insight and escalation support.

Position Requirements: 
•    Proven leadership in a manufacturing and/or engineering environment, ideally in custom automation or machinery.
•    Ability to lead through influence and cross-functional alignment rather than direct supervision.
•    Strong understanding of the automation project lifecycle, including design, build, and commissioning.
•    Excellent communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
•    Familiarity with manufacturing processes, engineering workflows, and ERP systems.
•    Experience driving performance metrics and continuous improvement initiatives.

Autonomy and Authority
•    Operates with significant autonomy to drive operational excellence across engineering and manufacturing.
•    Leads through functional managers and supervisors, aligning teams to strategic priorities.
•    Accountable for performance outcomes across both functions in the Waterloo facility.

Education, Experience, and Qualifications:
•    Post-secondary education in engineering, manufacturing, or operations management.
•    15+ years of experience in custom automation, special purpose machinery, or industrial manufacturing.
•    Demonstrated leadership experience in a multi-disciplinary technical environment.
•    Experience working with cross-functional teams on complex, deadline-driven projects.

Special Requirements:
•    Frequent presence on the shop floor and in engineering areas.
•    Ability to walk, stand, and move through a manufacturing facility as needed.
•    Occasional travel to customer sites, vendors, or other company locations.
•    Comfortable working in a dynamic, evolving environment with competing priorities.

The expected compensation range for this position is $146,720-$198,740. This range includes base pay and target variable pay. Actual compensation will depend on factors such as geographic location, skills, education, and experience. We also consider internal equity to ensure fair and consistent pay practices. This range reflects the expected full compensation range for the role; most offers will fall within the range and not at the maximum in order to allow for future growth

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