Career Opportunities

Operations Manager – Wellandport Facility

Reports To:   General Manager Clark Agri Service Ltd

The Operations Manager role for Clark Agri Service (CAS) is a multi-faceted management position responsible for all aspects of operations within the business unit ranging from customer service, warehouses, purchasing, outside services, transportation fleet, grain marketing, fertilizer operations. The Operations Manager is responsible for a staff of approximately twenty staff, including office and seasonal staff.  The role is responsible for meeting and exceeding all health and safety initiatives and targets for the group, and meeting and/or out-performing all budgeted estimates for the cost of operations within the department. There are typically several operational activities running simultaneously throughout the year that the Operations Manager will manage via his/her key team members, to ensure safety and customer satisfaction on all levels.  The position is based in Wellandport, Ontario in the heart of the beautiful Niagara Region.  There is some daily travel and periodic overnight stays.

Key Responsibilities

Supervision and Coordination

• Recruit, supervise and develop inside office staff to maximize effectiveness, efficiency and customer service levels
• Recruit, supervise and develop all operational staff to maximize their effectiveness, safety, efficiency and customer service levels
• Ensure cross training and schedule all members of the team during regular and peak times
• Coordinate and liaison with accounting and payroll administration to ensure the timely submission of information for processing and reporting on a daily and monthly basis.
• Nurture and develop staff so that they become successful contributing members of the team – empower the team

Health & Safety

• Responsible for the Health and Safety program for the operations group in conjunction with the General Manager, HR and other supporting members
• Responsible for the CVOR performance of the group and its associated vehicles
• Responsible for the health and safety performance of all non-CVOR related vehicles and service fleet
• Work directly with the employee health and safety reps to resolve issues and the proactive prevention of incidents
• Carry out quarterly meetings with the JHSC, management rep, employee reps and HR.
• Ensure daily tailgate and other safety related meetings are occurring and being documented by all front-line staff, including 3^rd party subcontractors
• Action all discussion items with the team that were generated in the meetings.
• Provide annual reporting to Senior Management in regards to H&S outputs and open items.
• Conduct and/or coordinate health and safety training per the master schedule and ensure no lapses occur to any required certifications or training
• Conduct effective and thorough written investigations of any incidents and implement corrective actions
• Abide by all Health and Safety regulations – be a Safety Leader
• Become certified under the Pesticides Act and the Pesticide Vendor Certification course

Purchasing and Inventory Management

• Management of purchasing and inventory processes and personnel
• Ensure required controls and reports are implemented and maintained to monitor and control inventories as they relate to quantities, valuation, availability,
• Continually improve processes and systems to reduce inventory and minimize obsolescence and shrink
• Responsible for inventory accuracy and annual physical inventory
• Manage grain marketing and inventory program to ensure inbound and outbound grain sales meet both customer and internal expectations.

Warehouses

• Management of warehouses and personnel
• Maintain receiving, warehousing, and distribution operations by initiating, coordinating, and enforcing programs, operational, and personnel policies and procedures
• Key player in the preparation of inventory and inventory close out.
• Maintain top physical condition of warehouses
• Comply and exceed all health and safety regulations as it relates to warehouse rolling stock, lifting devices, racking, ladder and storage requirements

Operations and Order Fulfillment

• Oversee and be aware of all customer orders from accepting incoming orders through to ensuring customer satisfaction on completion
• Direct project coordination to ensure all activities are scheduled and completed on time

Scheduling

•  Work with staff to ensure consistent monitoring of daily schedules in and out of season and updates to the involved staff are communicated daily
•  Review upcoming work schedule to ensure that all parties are able to execute in an efficient and timely manner
•  Devote all resources necessary during “in-season” spring order time so that they are completed in a timely and cost-efficient manner.  Balance the schedule as required to ensure complete customer satisfaction.
• Work directly with key reports and management to ensure daily schedule is updated and distributed to all staff and driver team is scheduled accordingly.
• Adjust and adapt work schedules as necessary to ensure the most productive utilization of human and other capital.
• Schedule and track all equipment and fixed asset maintenance or preventative maintenance, annual safeties, etc on a daily basis, ensuring costs are controlled and all assets are fit for safe operation and service at all times.

Budgets

• Work with the accounting team and General Manager to complete annual budget for all operational lines of business.  Present and justify budget.
•  Participate in monthly financial review meetings with Senior Management and present all operational performance line items. Be prepared to discuss all pertinent items in detail.

Other

• Direct and indirect liaison to key customers with respect to all things operational in their businesses related to Clark Agri Service supplied products and/or services
• Liaison with Sales Team to ensure customer needs are met on an ongoing basis and to ensure Sales Team expectations are aligned with operations ability to cost effectively deliver on promises made.
• Ensure backup for all direct reports for vacation, sick leave, and other absences. Schedule and control accordingly.
• Control operational purchases and distribution to required staff
• Annual uniform tracking for clothing and footwear
• Other duties as required

Core Competencies

• Demonstrated problem-solving experience in a fast paced and fast changing environment
• Demonstrated and proven leadership with a focus on development and growth of a team under his/her direction
• Demonstrated problem-solving experience in a fast paced and fast changing environment
• Strong financial acumen
• Detailed oriented with excellent planning skills

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in business, agriculture, engineering, or equivalent and relevant work experience
• Minimum of 5 years of operations management within a large-scale business
• Experience in agriculture will be considered and asset, however, not required
• Health and Safety experience a must and a core competency
• Project management experience
• Experience in establishing processes and procedures to improve overall safety and operational excellence
• Strong analytical and decision-making skills
• Superior customer service skills
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal
• Efficient in MS Office applications
• Mechanical aptitude
• Logistics and fleet scheduling experience an asset