Director of Operations

The Opportunity

Are you an experienced operations leader who enjoys being as close to the action as you are to the strategy?

Our client is a successful, privately owned Canadian company operating in the environmental services, transportation and renewable fuels supply chain. With a growing business and expanding operations, they are seeking a Director of Operations to strengthen operational performance, develop their people and support continued growth.

This opportunity is ideal for someone who thrives in an entrepreneurial environment, enjoys solving complex operational challenges and wants to make a meaningful impact on how a business operates.

As a member of the senior leadership team, you will work directly with ownership and other business leaders, contributing to strategic decisions while taking responsibility for day-to-day operational execution.

The ideal candidate is equally comfortable developing an operating plan, reviewing performance metrics, walking through a facility or working alongside employees to solve a problem.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead daily operations across transportation, dispatch, fleet management, scheduling, material handling and processing.
• Oversee route-based collection services, bulk transportation, and associated logistics activities.
• Improve route planning, fleet utilization, driver productivity, equipment availability and operating costs.
• Develop and implement practical systems, processes, performance measures and accountability across the organization.
• Lead, coach and develop operational managers, dispatchers, drivers and front-line employees.
• Work closely with ownership and senior leadership to align operational priorities with customer commitments and business objectives.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, productivity, cost control and profitability.
• Establish operational KPIs and reporting processes to support informed decision-making.
• Build the operational capabilities, processes and team structure needed to support continued business growth.

Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum 5 years of progressive operations leadership experience, ideally in transportation, logistics, waste management, environmental services, bulk-liquid distribution, or a related industry.
• Strong working knowledge of fleet operations, dispatch, route optimization, driver management and transportation compliance.
• Demonstrated success improving operational efficiency through process improvements, performance metrics and cost management.
• Experience leading front-line teams and establishing clear responsibilities, expectations, and accountability.
• Strong business acumen, problem-solving capabilities and the ability to contribute to broader strategic discussions.
• Experience working in an entrepreneurial, owner-operated or similarly hands-on business environment.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and decision-making skills.
• Experience managing operating budgets and operational performance.
• Experience with rail logistics, bulk-liquid transportation or material processing would be considered an asset. Previous experience holding an AZ license would also be advantageous but is not required.

Leadership Characteristics

Beyond technical experience, our client is looking for a particular type of leader.

Hands-on and engaged. You believe the best way to understand an operation is to spend time with the people doing the work.

Naturally curious. You ask questions, challenge assumptions and take the time to understand how different parts of a business connect.

Practical and results oriented. You focus on solving problems and implementing improvements rather than simply identifying what needs to change.

Confident without ego. You bring sound judgment, welcome constructive feedback and are comfortable working closely with an engaged ownership team.

A strong people leader. You build trust, develop employees and establish accountability through knowledge, fairness and consistency.

Entrepreneurial and adaptable. You are comfortable operating in a fast-moving environment where priorities evolve and everyone contributes to getting things done.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

• A seat at the senior leadership table, working directly with ownership and key decision-makers.
• Broad operational responsibility with the opportunity to influence both strategy and execution.
• An established, successful business with ambitious growth plans.
• The opportunity to introduce improvements, develop people and make a measurable impact on business performance.
• A dynamic, entrepreneurial environment that values initiative, accountability and practical problem-solving.

Location: Woodstock, Ontario. This is an on-site leadership position with occasional travel to other operating locations.

Interested?

Mandrake is pleased to be supporting our client in the recruitment of this important leadership position.

If you are an experienced operations leader looking for an opportunity to combine hands-on management with meaningful influence over a growing business, we welcome your application.