Manufacturing Operations Manager
Tallman Technologies | Burlington, Ontario | On-site
$125,000–$135,000 CAD, depending on experience
Tallman Technologies is a long-established Canadian manufacturer specializing in engineered metal products and custom manufacturing solutions. Our operations span foundry, machining, welding, assembly, maintenance and shipping, with products and production requirements that vary across customers and orders.
We are looking for an experienced Manufacturing Operations Manager to take ownership of our day-to-day production operations and help us improve how our manufacturing business runs.
This is a hands-on manufacturing leadership role for someone who understands the complexities of production planning, resource allocation, inventory management and continuous improvement.
We need someone who can look across a manufacturing operation, understand how work moves through different departments, identify constraints, make informed production decisions and lead employees through changes that improve efficiency and performance.
If you enjoy solving complex production challenges, making things run better and being directly accountable for operational results, this could be a strong fit.
What You'll Be Responsible For
Reporting directly to the Vice President, you will oversee Tallman's day-to-day manufacturing operations and work closely with employees, customers and the broader leadership team.
You will:
- Own production planning and scheduling across multiple manufacturing departments, balancing customer orders, delivery commitments, labour, equipment capacity, materials and inventory.
- Lead daily operations across foundry, machining, welding, assembly, maintenance and shipping.
- Make informed decisions about production sequencing, resource allocation, inventory utilization and purchasing requirements to maintain efficient workflow.
- Identify and manage production constraints, bottlenecks and work in progress to improve throughput and avoid unnecessary inventory or overproduction.
- Stay closely connected to the production floor, identifying and resolving issues that affect quality, efficiency, capacity and delivery.
- Adjust production schedules and priorities as customer requirements, labour availability, materials and equipment conditions change.
- Work directly with supervisors and employees to establish clear expectations, improve performance and build accountability.
- Monitor production performance and ensure customer orders are completed safely, efficiently, on time and within budget.
- Work with Applications and Sales to translate customer requirements and incoming opportunities into realistic production, labour, material and capacity plans.
- Maintain rolling production and demand forecasts based on existing orders, anticipated repeat business and prospective work.
- Communicate directly with customers and sales agents regarding production status, delivery timing and shipment readiness.
- Identify, develop and implement meaningful operational improvements that reduce downtime, scrap, rework and unnecessary costs while improving productivity and workflow.
- Challenge existing processes constructively, working with experienced employees to introduce more effective ways of operating.
- Support quality, maintenance, safety and corrective-action activities.
- Coach and develop supervisors, leads and production employees while maintaining clear performance expectations.
- Use ERP/MRP systems, production data and KPIs to support planning, decision-making and continuous improvement.
- Take ownership of operational challenges, including coordinating responses to occasional urgent production or facility issues outside normal working hours when required.
What We're Looking For
We are particularly interested in candidates who have personally managed manufacturing operations, made production decisions and implemented improvements, rather than only overseeing these activities through others.
You should bring:
- At least 5 years of progressive experience in manufacturing operations or production leadership, with direct responsibility for day-to-day manufacturing performance.
- Strong practical experience in production planning, scheduling, capacity management, inventory and workforce allocation.
- A solid understanding of how equipment capacity, labour availability, materials, inventory, WIP and delivery commitments affect production decisions.
- Experience identifying and implementing measurable operational improvements
- Experience leading production employees and supervisors in a hands-on manufacturing environment.
- The confidence and technical credibility to work effectively with experienced employees, challenge established practices and lead operational change.
- The ability to make sound decisions, solve problems independently and take accountability for results.
- Experience working directly with customers and translating requirements into achievable production plans.
- Experience using ERP/MRP systems, production reporting and manufacturing KPIs to inform operational decisions.
- A practical, collaborative leadership style combined with the ability to set expectations, address performance issues and follow through.
Experience in machining, metal fabrication, welding, foundry, steel, industrial equipment or a similar manufacturing environment would be particularly valuable.
Experience in a small-to-medium-sized manufacturing operation, a unionized environment, maintenance/equipment management, automation or manufacturing technology is also an asset.
The Environment
Tallman is an established manufacturing business where the Operations Manager has significant visibility, responsibility and influence.
This is not a role where you will be several layers removed from production. You will be expected to understand what is happening on the floor, work directly with employees, make decisions when priorities compete and take ownership of the operational challenges that arise.
Our employees bring considerable manufacturing experience and technical knowledge. We need a leader who respects that expertise while having the confidence and judgment to introduce improvements and different ways of working.
We are looking for someone who can maintain effective day-to-day operations while actively identifying opportunities to make the business better.
This is an on-site leadership position with significant operational accountability. While the role generally follows regular business hours, occasional urgent production or facility issues may require flexibility outside those hours.
Why Tallman?
This is an opportunity to take on a meaningful leadership role where your decisions will have a visible impact.
You'll work closely with senior leadership and have the ability to influence production, people, processes and future operational improvements.
We're looking for someone who wants to do more than maintain the status quo. You'll have the opportunity to bring new ideas, improve existing practices and play an important role in helping Tallman continue to evolve and grow.
Our Hiring Process
As part of our initial screening process, selected applicants will be asked to complete a brief written assessment by email before moving to an interview.
The assessment focuses on your direct manufacturing experience, production planning, operational improvements and leadership approach. We are particularly interested in specific examples of work you have personally owned and the results you have achieved.
Candidates who move forward will be invited to an initial conversation to discuss their experience and approach to manufacturing operations in greater detail.
Location: Burlington, Ontario
Work arrangement: On-site
Salary: $125,000–$135,000 CAD, depending on experience
