Operations Manager

Haliburton Forest is hiring an Operations Manager for our sawmill in Madawaska, Ontario.

The right candidate is a proven leader who can manage people, process, and budget well — sawmill and forestry-sector knowledge can be built on the job with the support of our experienced production team.

About the Role

The Operations Manager is responsible for the day-to-day leadership of the sawmill, specifically: safety, people management, production output, quality, cost control, and coordination with maintenance, logistics, and head office. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who is comfortable in an industrial/production environment, potentially with some experience managing in a unionized environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and hold accountable a team of production staff and shift/area supervisors.
• Own site safety culture and compliance; drive toward zero-incident performance.
• Manage production schedules, throughput, and quality targets against site budgets.
• Control operating costs, labour planning, and inventory of key inputs.
• Build and maintain a strong communication link with head office, other Haliburton Forest departments, and the sawmill's technical/production leads.
• Identify and lead continuous-improvement initiatives across process, equipment uptime, and workflow.
• Hire, develop, and retain a capable, engaged team.

What We're Looking For

We care more about how a candidate has led people and operations than whether that experience was in a sawmill. Strong candidates typically bring:

• A track record of managing a team and a P&L or cost centre in an operational, industrial, manufacturing, or resource-sector setting.
• Demonstrated leadership: someone who earns trust, sets clear expectations, and holds people accountable fairly.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making under real production pressure.
• Comfort with budgets, KPIs, and reporting to senior leadership.
• A genuine willingness to learn sawmill/forestry operations — prior sawmill experience is an asset, not a requirement.
• Willingness to be present and visible on the mill floor.

Location

Madawaska, Ontario

Sawmill site and surrounding operations in the Madawaska area.

Compensation & Reporting

• Compensation: Commensurate with Experience
• Reports to: President Forest Products Division
• Employment type: Full Time Position

How to Apply

Please send your resume and a brief cover note to Donna Rudnick at [email protected]. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until September 30, 2026.

Benefits:

• Dental care
• Employee assistance program
• Extended health care
• Life insurance
• Vision care

Work Location: In person