Interim General Manager – Food Manufacturing
Location: Greater Toronto Area (GTA), Canada
Duration: 12 months
Engagement: Interim (Full-time, on-site)
Context
We are supporting a mid-size manufacturing operation based in the Greater Toronto Area employing approximately 500 employees. The site is operating but facing performance, efficiency, and execution challenges and is entering a phase where stronger operational leadership is required to elevate results.
The company is seeking an Interim General Manager to take full ownership of site operations and lead a structured performance-improvement mandate. The objective is to strengthen execution discipline, improve operational metrics, and support the leadership team in delivering sustainable results across safety, quality, productivity, service, and cost.
This is a hands-on operational leadership mandate, requiring a strong on-site presence and rapid impact.
Key Responsibilities
• Assume full operational and P&L responsibility for the manufacturing site
• Lead all on-site functions including Operations, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, Maintenance, Engineering, HR, and HSE
• Drive performance improvement initiatives across safety, quality, productivity, service levels, and cost
• Assess current operating model, processes, and performance drivers; identify gaps and improvement levers
• Implement structured management routines, KPIs, and performance review mechanisms
• Improve production planning, operational reliability, and execution consistency
• Strengthen the site leadership team through coaching, accountability, and clear priorities
• Ensure compliance with health & safety, quality, and regulatory requirements
• Act as the primary interface with corporate leadership, providing clear reporting on progress, risks, and results
Profile
• Senior manufacturing leader with experience as a General Manager, Plant Manager, or Operations Director / VP
• Strong background in manufacturing environments (industrial, consumer goods, food, or process manufacturing)
• Proven experience leading mid-to-large manufacturing sites (500–1000 employees)
• Track record in performance improvement, operational excellence, or transformation mandates
• Hands-on, pragmatic leader with strong shop-floor credibility
• Structured, data-driven, and execution-focused leadership style
• Comfortable taking ownership quickly and driving measurable improvement
• Previous interim or transformation leadership experience is a strong asset