Job description:
The General Manager will provide strategic, financial, and operational leadership for Baxter's manufacturing facility in Cobourg, with overall accountability for business performance, profitability, operational efficiency, and long-term growth.
This role requires a strong combination of business administration, engineering, and manufacturing expertise, with the ability to lead all aspects of a manufacturing operation, including Production, Operations, Quality Assurance, Maintenance, Supply Chain, Warehouse, and Health & Safety.
The successful candidate will be responsible for developing and executing business and operational strategies, managing budgets and financial performance, optimizing manufacturing processes, and driving continuous improvement initiatives. They will establish clear performance targets, monitor key operational and financial KPIs, identify opportunities to improve productivity and reduce operating costs, and ensure the facility consistently meets customer expectations.
A key part of this position will be building a strong management team, developing leadership capabilities across departments, and creating a culture of accountability, employee engagement, and operational excellence. The ideal candidate is a strategic and analytical business leader who can translate business objectives into measurable results on the manufacturing floor.
Key Responsibilities
Operations & Production
- Oversee daily operations, production scheduling, forecasting, and capacity planning
- Manage operational resources, including labour, materials, and equipment
- Develop and improve processes to maximize efficiency, productivity, and cost control
- Set operational priorities and ensure production plans align with customer commitments and business targets
- Review daily production and packaging reports, address operational challenges and coordinate across departments
Leadership & Team Management
- Lead, coach, and develop department managers, supervisors, and their teams
- Establish clear expectations, accountability, and effective communication across departments
- Build a positive, collaborative, and results-driven work environment
- Resolve issues between departments, including production, quality, customer service and supply chain
Quality, Food Safety & Compliance
- Take ownership of the BRC program, food safety systems, audit readiness, and ongoing compliance documentation
- Oversee quality assurance and regulatory compliance, working with the QA Manager to maintain standards
- Ensure health and safety programs and sanitation standards are maintained
Facilities & Supply Chain
- Oversee facility maintenance, equipment, procurement, inventory, warehousing, and logistics
- Support product development and successful implementation of new products
Reporting & Performance
- Own and monitor KPIs, including production output, labour, overtime, customer service, waste, quality and costs
- Work with department leaders to establish targets, review performance and address gaps
- Provide regular updates and recommendations to senior management
- Identify opportunities for operational improvement and business growth
Qualifications & Experience
- Proven management experience in food manufacturing, bakery production, or a similar environment
- Strong understanding of production planning, operational efficiency, and cost management
- Demonstrated experience leading and maintaining a BRCGS food safety program, including audit preparation, compliance and ongoing program management
- Experience overseeing multiple departments, developing management teams, and building accountability
- Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills
- Positive, solutions-oriented leader who takes initiative, approaches challenges constructively, and drives continuous improvement
- Strong sense of ownership and accountability, with the ability to prioritize, make decisions, and follow through on commitments
- Must hold a valid Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) certification in accordance with Ontario requirements.
Benefits:
- Dental care
- Disability insurance
- Extended health care
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- Vision care
