Director of Operations - Cannabis - Medical Grade

  • Location: Mississauga
  • Posting Date: August 05, 2026
  • Job Order ID: 1060272a
  • Consultant: Josh Linde
  • Industry: Cannabis / Healthcare
Director of Production Operations GTA West, Ontario (On-Site)

$130,000-$150,000 Base + 20% Annual Bonus

MacDonald Search Group has been retained to recruit a Director of Operations for a confidential client operating within a highly regulated manufacturing environment. Experience at Director level in Cannabis, Food, or Pharmaceuticals is required.

This is a key member of the senior leadership team, reporting directly to the General Manager and responsible for leading end-to-end operations across manufacturing, production, facilities, planning, supply chain, and cultivation (where applicable). The successful candidate will drive operational performance, build high-performing teams, and ensure the business consistently delivers on quality, compliance, customer service, and financial objectives.

The Opportunity

This role offers the opportunity to lead a complex manufacturing operation while shaping operational strategy, developing future leaders, and implementing continuous improvement initiatives that support long-term business growth.

The successful candidate will balance strategic thinking with hands-on leadership, partnering closely with Quality, Commercial, Finance, HR, and Supply Chain to ensure operational excellence across the organization.

Key Responsibilities Operational Leadership
  • Lead all manufacturing, production, facilities, planning, supply chain, and operational activities.
  • Develop and execute operational strategies aligned with business growth objectives.
  • Ensure production plans meet customer demand while optimizing labour, equipment, inventory, and capacity.
  • Monitor operational KPIs including quality, productivity, yield, service, cost, inventory, and safety.
  • Support commercialization activities and new product introductions.
Leadership & Culture
  • Coach, mentor, and develop a team of operational leaders.
  • Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, safety, and continuous improvement.
  • Lead succession planning, workforce development, and performance management.
  • Partner with Human Resources on recruitment and organizational development initiatives.
Operational Excellence
  • Drive Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Improve productivity, efficiency, inventory management, and production planning.
  • Lead capital projects, facility improvements, automation initiatives, and process optimization.
  • Implement systems and technologies that improve operational visibility and decision-making.
  • Manage operational budgets, forecasts, and business performance reporting.
Quality & Regulatory Compliance
  • Ensure compliance with all regulatory and quality requirements.
  • Partner closely with Quality Assurance to maintain audit readiness and support internal and external inspections.
  • Promote a quality-first culture across all operational functions.
  • Support investigations, CAPAs, change controls, and continuous quality improvement initiatives.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Work closely with Commercial, Finance, Procurement, Supply Chain, Quality, and Executive Leadership.
  • Support demand planning, inventory strategy, customer service, and operational execution.
  • Identify operational risks and develop mitigation strategies to support business continuity.
Qualifications

We're looking for an experienced operations leader who brings:
  • 7+ years of progressive manufacturing or operations leadership experience with teams of 70+ full time staff indirectly reporting into you through divisional leaders
  • Experience leading multiple operational functions including manufacturing, production, planning, supply chain, and facilities.
  • Success managing teams within highly regulated manufacturing environments.
  • Strong financial acumen with experience managing budgets, forecasting, and operational KPIs.
  • Demonstrated success implementing continuous improvement and operational excellence initiatives.
  • Experience with ERP systems, production planning, and operational reporting.
  • Excellent leadership, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Business, Manufacturing, Agriculture, or a related discipline is preferred
Why Join?
  • Senior leadership opportunity with significant influence over business operations within a highly regarded global organization
  • Highly visible role partnering directly with the General Manager and executive team.
  • Opportunity to lead transformational operational improvements.
  • Collaborative, growth-oriented culture.
  • Competitive compensation package
Interested?

If you're an operations leader who enjoys building teams, improving manufacturing performance, and driving operational excellence within regulated industries, we'd like to hear from you.