IPL is a global leading sustainable packaging solutions provider that manufactures specialty rigid packaging products used in the food, consumer, agricultural, logistics and environmental markets. Sustainability is essential to the long-term success of our business. As a packaging company that develops plastic-based solutions for our customers, it is imperative that we meet the customer needs while being mindful of our operational impacts and the need to preserve our planet. We are committed to running our business responsibly and in ways that drive environmental, social and economic value for our stakeholders, including shareholders, customers, employees and local communities. We employ over 2,500 people in 18 manufacturing facilities, 2 corporate & sales offices and 3 R&D facilities across Canada, China, Europe, and the United States.

Read more about our story at: www.iplglobal.com.

Job purpose

Manage all operational activities at the Leominster plant, including compliance with health, safety, environment and quality values, from order reception to on-time delivery of products to customers, while respecting the division's EBITDA objectives.

Location: Leominster, MA

Job Overview and key duties (agile)

• Accountable for the operational strategy, safe operations, operating performance, financial performance, capital deployment, growth initiatives, and day-to-day leadership of the plant
• Implement the operations strategy, the organization structure and processes in the plant.
• Plan, direct, coordinate, and oversee operations activities, ensuring development and implementation of efficient operations and cost-effective systems to meet current and future needs of the plant.
• Responsible for the financial performance and P&L of the site with a revenue of approximately $65M USD and 180 employees, in line with operational, financial, legal and regulatory requirements. Responsible for financial budgeting and forecasting at the plant.
• Responsible for the leadership and management of 180 employees and cultivate an inclusive environment where people are fully valued, supported and challenged to grow in a safe working environment
• Guiding, directing, coaching and evaluating the work of the plant management team across operations, production, quality, health and safety, finance, S&OP and HR. Identifying leaders within the team and setting them on a path for management.
• Drive a sustainable health and safety culture across the plant and implement division and group wide programs and initiatives in the plant.
• Design and deliver the operational efficiency plan for the maintenance and replacement of tools in the plant.
• Drive operational excellence and efficiencies throughout the plant, ensuring KPIs benchmarks and targets are established and managed.
• Lead all continuous improvement initiatives (5S, Kaizen, Productivity.)
• Lead on all plant capital development projects, ensuring thorough proposals, cost effective procurement and project success operationally and commercially.
• Work closely to the Supply chain function to support the implementation of the sales and operations planning processes (S&OP) for the plant.
• Ensure price costings systems are developed for the sales team to ensure accuracy of pricing in the market.
• Responsible for warehouse management.
• Provide regular, consistent, and transparent communication to all colleagues in the plant. the regional leadership team and as required ELT members about business activities, potential threats, opportunities, and recommended actions.
• Contribute to the development of short to mid-term plans for optimizing the organization, function, or sub-function and the talent required to execute strategies in job area.
• Complete regular performance reviews, manage attendance, disciplinary issues and procedures as appropriate
• Be a member of the labor relations committee
• Role model our Values

Additional information (including specialized qualifications / skills)

• Extensive operational and people management experience in running a plastics manufacturing business.
• Bachelor's degree in engineering or equivalent training/experience
• Extensive operational experience – able to understand operational processes, customer requirements and technical attributes of the product range.
• Strong experience in plant P&L management with clear ability to forecast, manage budgets and costs.
• Able to successfully lead and implement change, structure, and process and take a common-sense approach to encouraging continual cultural, technological, and operational transformation.
• Knowledge/experience of how business is conducted on a global scale. Able to work effectively with senior leadership.
• An inspiring leader who can attract and retain the key talent for the plant. Experience leading, coaching, building teams and mentoring highly skilled and experienced direct reports.
• Comfortable working both at a tactical level (in the first instance) and at a strategic level, with a demonstrated ability to be hands on and remain close to sales and operations.
• ERP experience (IFS advantageous but not essential).
• Knowledge of lean techniques, SIX SIGMA may be advantageous.
• Ability to travel as needed