Plant Operations Manager

Job Title: Plant Operations Manager

Location: Sydney, Nova Scotia

Salary: Depending on Experience

About the job

The Verschuren Centre is an independent clean technology development and scale up facility servicing client’s innovation in the precision fermentation space and biomanufacturing. The Manager of Plant Operations is a hands-on operational leader responsible for the full lifecycle of the facility—from commissioning and startup through to steady-state operations and continuous improvement.

This role is highly visible and floor-based, requiring direct involvement in plant operations, equipment readiness, troubleshooting, team leadership, and daily execution. The Plant Operations Manager will oversee quality, engineering, maintenance, procurement and production to ensure the plant operates safely, efficiently, and in alignment with client expectations.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Process Safety Management

· Ensure consistent compliance with all safety management systems and regulations including OHS, PSM (process safety management system) and QMS training protocols

· Ensure all safety training is delivered, reinforced, and observed in practice.

· Lead reporting, root cause analysis and corrective actions.

Operations Management, Manufacturing Excellence & Client Fulfilment

· Maintain daily presence in all plant operations, ensuring compliance, performance and quality output. This includes management of scheduling, procurement, QMS system and co-ordination of Preventative Maintanance with engineering team to minimize downtime.

· Implementation of on-going QMS system to manage personnel training and performance meets plant certification for HACCP and ISO 9001.

· Understand and ensure required preparation, planning and process performance of client processing, to build on the facility reputational success and financial performance.

· Drive continuous process improvement.

· Ensuring manufacturing documentation and operational records are accurate, complete, and audit-ready against key KPI’s

Environmental & Regulatory Compliance

· Ensure Compliance with all permits.

· Implement and maintain the Environmental Management System (EMS) with active oversight of routine tracking and monitoring of materials balance, discharge (air and drain) and plant monitoring requirements.

· Manage regulatory & audit processes for HACCP & ISO

Commissioning and operational transition management

· Participate in plant commissioning components and hand over during start up and operationalizing of the large demonstration plant through qualification, and validation activities, including execution and oversight of IQ/OQ/PQ protocols.

· Ensure translational documentation from pilot with QMS team

Teams Leadership

· Manage cross disciplinary co-ordination of teams to co-ordinate efficient delivery of client projects.

· Build a culture of top-quality performance and safety first.

· Build cross-functional capability and redundancy within the teams.

· Develop cross training and cohesive planning and management.

Budget Management

· Maintain direct management of the operations budget and cost base, while driving client throughput and satisfaction.

· Contribute to development of the annual operating budget and capital plans.

· Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Eligibility:

You have been in a high-level hands-on operational role either such as a current or former plant manager or unit operations manager and have an educational background in a relevant field. Experience in the industry, which gives you a strong knowledge of Manufacturing. You are a highly detailed, focused individual with excellent practical analytical skills. You enjoy solving problems in collaboration with cross disciplinary teams and have the strong communication skills required to do so. You aspire toward continued advancement. Additionally, you possess excellent organizational and time-management skills, with a demonstrated history of meeting deliverables with a sense of urgency.

Your qualifications include:

· Bachelor's Degree in a relevant Engineering discipline (chemical, mechanical etc.), Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Industrial Technology, Manufacturing, or a related discipline.

· 10+ years of progressive experience in manufacturing, bioprocessing, pharmaceutical, chemical, biotechnology, or industrial operations.

· Experience leading teams within GMP, ISO, regulated, or highly controlled manufacturing environments.

· Demonstrated experience in plant startup, commissioning, equipment qualification, and operational readiness.

· Strong knowledge of production planning, scheduling, supply chain coordination, and manufacturing execution.

· Experience with process scale-up, technology transfer, and commercialization activities.

· Proven leadership experience managing multidisciplinary operations teams.

· Strong understanding of quality systems, deviations, CAPA, change management, and regulatory compliance.

All interested and qualified candidates are asked to submit their cover letter and resume to [email protected]. Please reference the job title in which you are applying for in your cover letter and email subject.

Pay: From $90,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Paid time off
• RRSP match
• Vision care

Work Location: In person