Strategic Operations Manager Jobs in Barrie, ON (NOW HIRING)

About Us:

As a global manufacturer of complex aircraft engine components, Pursuit Aerospace (formerly Paradigm Precision) is founded on a commitment to relentless, continuous, operational improvement and extraordinary customer service. We pride ourselves on competitive cost structure, exceptional on-time delivery, and industry-leading quality.

The Pursuit family of companies has cultivated long-term relationships with our customers around the world through respect, teamwork, technology, and trust. We are driven to develop industry leading process innovations and manufacturing techniques on behalf of our customers. Our exceptional quality is driven by a deep investment in and the daily practice of continually improving our people, processes, and products.

About the Opportunity:

At Pursuit Aerospace, we are committed to excellence in precision machining for the aerospace industry. We are currently seeking a dedicated Operations Manager to join our growing team. This role is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the manufacturing of mission‑critical components in a collaborative, high‑standards environment.

The Operations Manager plays a central role in delivering precision‑machined components that meet the highest levels of performance and reliability. This is a hands‑on, high‑impact leadership position responsible for all manufacturing and operational activities within the site.

The successful candidate will oversee production, scheduling, capacity planning, operational strategy, and continuous improvement, while working closely with Engineering, Quality, Sales, and Supply Chain to ensure seamless execution. This role is ideal for a leader who thrives in a dynamic, technically sophisticated environment and can balance daily operational execution with long‑term organizational and process improvement.

Location: Orillia, Ontario

This is an Onsite position.

This is for an existing vacancy.

Responsibilities:

Operational Leadership & Daily Execution • Lead and coordinate activities across production teams, including supervisors and BULs, to achieve safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives.

• Manage daily operations to ensure efficient use of people, machines, materials, and scheduling.
• Ensure close coordination between Operations, Engineering, Quality, Sales, and Supply Chain to resolve issues, support NPIs, and optimize processes.
• Drive accountability for meeting customer delivery commitments and operational KPIs.

Master Planning & Production Control

Develop and maintain a comprehensive understanding of the site's Master Production Schedule (MPS), capacity plan, and demand requirements to ensure operational decisions support customer commitments and long-term business objectives.

Partner closely with the Master Scheduler to validate production priorities, identify capacity constraints, balance resources, and proactively mitigate risks before they impact delivery performance.

Lead weekly production reviews to ensure the master schedule remains achievable, aligns with available capacity, and reflects current business priorities.

Ensure operational execution remains aligned with the Master Production Schedule by driving accountability across Business Unit Leaders, supervisors, and support functions.

Continuous Improvement & Manufacturing Excellence • Build and sustain a Kaizen‑based culture focused on throughput, waste reduction, process stability, and cost improvement.
• Direct process and product improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, standard work, and other structured methodologies.
• Demonstrated ability to drive Daily Management systems and improve process flow to achieve operational excellence.
• Evaluate and implement new manufacturing technologies and capital improvements to strengthen competitiveness.

Leadership & Workforce Development • Provide strong leadership to supervisors, Business Unit Leaders (BULs), planners, and shop‑floor teams; ensure alignment to company goals and expectations.
• Coach, mentor, and develop BULs and supervisors to build leadership depth and operational capability.
• Ensure BULs effectively deploy employee skills, manage daily priorities, and maintain a disciplined, professional work environment.

• Foster a culture of teamwork, communication, and continuous learning.

Organizational Planning & Strategy • Establish operational goals, policies, procedures, and performance standards aligned with site and company strategy.
• Develop business plans to support throughput, capacity growth, and cost improvements.
• Forecast labor, equipment, and resource needs to support production and long‑term planning.
• Communicate key business priorities, customer requirements, and performance expectations across the organization.

• Ensure the organizational structure, including supervisors and Business Unit Leaders, is staffed and aligned to meet operational and strategic goals.

Safety, Compliance & Workplace Environment • Champion a safe, healthy workplace in compliance with all OH&S, environmental, and company regulations.
• Ensure operational adherence to AS9100, customer requirements, and internal process controls.
• Promote housekeeping and 5S discipline across all operational areas.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, or a technical field and at least 10 years of experience in a manufacturing environment; OR 15 years of relevant leadership experience in a complex, precision‑driven environment.
• Minimum 5 years of progressive leadership experience with direct reports.
• Experience in machining, metal fabrication, special processes, or high‑precision aerospace manufacturing.
• Strong understanding of Master Production Scheduling (MPS), capacity planning, production control, finite scheduling concepts, and Sales, Inventory & Operations Planning (SIOP). Demonstrated ability to use production planning information to make operational decisions and manage plant capacity.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and manufacturing/MRP systems.
• Must be able to work in Canada and meet any applicable export‑control requirements.

Preferred Qualifications:

• APICS CPIM (Certified in Planning and Inventory Management) designation, or active progress toward certification.
• Demonstrated success leading small‑ to mid‑scale aerospace or precision machining operations.
• Strong technical understanding of machining, metal fabrication, and special processes used in aerospace components.
• Experience with Lean methodologies, including Kaizen events, 5S, value stream mapping, TPM, and standard work implementation.
• Proficiency with MRP/ERP systems, production planning, capacity management, and shop floor scheduling.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and strategic planning abilities.
• Proven capability in coaching and developing supervisors, team leads, and skilled trades employees.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to lead cross-functional collaboration.
• Demonstrated ability to drive measurable improvements in throughput, cost, and operational performance.

• Experience leading supervisors, Business Unit Leaders (BULs), and cross‑functional operational teams in a high‑precision manufacturing environment.

Physical Requirements:

• Frequent presence on the shop floor in a manufacturing environment with required PPE (such as safety glasses, safety shoes, and hearing protection as needed).
• Requires regular mobility throughout the facility, including walking, standing, and moving between production areas.
• Ability to stand for extended periods (up to 8 hours per day).
• Frequent sitting, standing, walking, bending, reaching, and climbing short ladders or steps.
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 30 lbs as needed.
• Exposure to typical manufacturing conditions, including noise, moving mechanical equipment, lubricants, solvents, and varying temperatures.
• May require occasional evening or weekend work to support operational priorities and schedules.

Compensation & Benefits:

Pursuit Aerospace also offers a variety of benefits, including health insurance, EAP, paid time off, and company-paid holidays. The specific programs and options available to an employee may vary depending on your employment classification - whether you're full-time, part-time, or a contractor.

Pursuit is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, ancestry, color, religion, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, medical condition, disability, veteran status, gender identity, or any other basis protected by law.