nterim Owner’s Representative (Food Manufacturing Facility Construction)

IMMEDIATE INTERIM OPPORTUNITY

Interim Owner’s Representative (Food Manufacturing Facility Construction)

Reports To: Head of Engineering

Duration: 6+ months

Location: Vaughan, ON (on-site)

Our client is a Canadian food manufacturing company with a global footprint. They are urgently seeking an Owner's Representative to oversee a $15M construction project inside an operating food manufacturing facility. This construction expert will serve as the primary link between our client’s internal engineering team and the Construction Manager, holding them accountable for for safety, quality, schedule and budget, all while ensuring operational continuity within the plant. Food manufacturing industry experience is a mandatory requirement of this role.

Key Accountabilities:

• Scope and technical oversight: Gain a complete understanding of the full technical scope and make sure the Construction Manager (CM) delivers; Review drawings, submittals, RFIs and change orders.
• Schedule and budget: Hold the CM to the baseline schedule and budget; Track progress and cost, flag variances early, and push for recovery plans.
• Safety: Make sure the CM and subcontractors follow Ontario OHSA, construction regulations and our client’s site safety rules (permits, lockout, hot work).
• Working in a running plant: Coordinate construction with operations team to ensure that production is not disrupted; Ensure that food safety, GMP, allergen and sanitation controls are followed during the work.
• Quality: Make sure the finished work meets our client’s high standards for food-grade and sanitary design. Witness inspections and testing, manage deficiencies, and oversee commissioning and turnover.
• Communication: Lead or attend weekly project meetings, report status to engineering leadership, and escalate issues quickly.
• Closeout: Make sure as-builts, O&M manuals, warranties and permit closeouts are complete.

Competencies and Requirements:

• 15+ years in construction project management, with at least 5 years on food or beverage manufacturing projects
• Has led projects of $10M+, preferably as Owner's Rep, PM or CM.
• Has worked inside operating plants and knows how to keep construction and production running side by side.
• Solid knowledge of Ontario OHSA, the Ontario Building Code, permitting, and CFIA/SFCR food safety requirements.
• Can read and challenge drawings and specs across civil, mechanical, electrical and process work.
• Knows CM contract structures (e.g., CCDC), change order management and cost control.
• Confident, assertive communicator who can hold a CM accountable while keeping the relationship productive.
• P.Eng., PMP or a construction management certification would be a nice-to-have.
• Experience commissioning food processing equipment and utilities would be an asset.

PLEASE SEND YOUR CV (AS A WORD DOC) TO: Interim.Applications@LHHknightsbridge.com (SUBJECT: JOB TITLE)

LHH Knightsbridge Interim Management is a service to help our clients address a wide range of scenarios including leadership support due to sudden departures, driving key change initiatives or leading transformation projects. Our interim executives step in with minimal downtime to meet specific objectives and deliver results. All have held senior positions in the past and have now chosen to offer their unique depth and breadth of experience to organizations on a limited engagement basis.

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Lee Hecht Harrison Knightsbridge Corp. is committed to providing equitable treatment and accommodation to ensure a barrier-free recruitment process. In accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and our AODA policy, a request for accommodation will be accepted as part of the hiring process. If you require accommodation to apply or if selected to participate in an assessment process, please provide your accommodation needs in advance to the Recruitment Lead for this opportunity.

We thank all interested candidates in advance; however, only individuals selected for interviews will be contacted.

October 2026