Manager, Operational Technology

at  Sofina Foods Inc

ABOUT US:

Sofina Foods is one of Canada’s leading manufacturers of primary and further processed protein products for retail and foodservice customers as well as international markets. We manufacture pork, beef, turkey, chicken and fish products in Canada and Europe. Our family of brands include Cuddy, Lilydale, Janes, Mastro, San Daniele, Fletcher’s, Vienna, Riserva and Zamzam in Canada; and Youngs, Greenland and Karro’s in UK. We are also the exclusive Canadian distributor of Italy’s finest Rio Mare, Lavazza products and Kicking Horse Coffee in Canada.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Reporting to the Director, Data Performance, The Manager, Operational Technology is responsible for overseeing the strategic planning, implementation and optimization of technology initiatives that drive operational excellence, enhance productivity and elevate product quality and safety. This position plays an active role in plant process optimization including data collection and reporting. The candidate will work closely with Plant Operations to provide technical support for OT systems. This role is responsible for OT performance, data management, application configuration, alignment with Operations, and liaising with other business units. It works closely with IT Operations which is responsible for the hardware selection, acquisition, installation, operation, support, and security.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Collaborate closely with executive leadership, operations, IT, and engineering teams to align technology initiatives with overarching business goals.
• Provide technical support to application users in resolving system issues promptly, troubleshooting and proposing solutions to ensure operational continuity with minimal disruption.
• Collaborate closely with the IT Infrastructure team, IT Operations team, and Data Performance team to enhance current environments, including databases, and to implement new solutions within the plants.
• Lead and support the selection, procurement, and integration of technology platforms such as packaging equipment (Ishida), weighing, grading, and labelling (Meyn, Carlisle, Oasys software and equipment.
• Monitor technology systems to identify and resolve any technical issues or malfunctions, minimizing downtime and production interruptions.
• Collaborate with vendors and external partners to assess, select, and integrate solutions to stay abreast of emerging technologies and best practices.
• Manage technology projects from conception to completion, ensuring timelines, budgets, and objectives are met.
• Develop and deliver training programs to operational teams to ensure smooth adoption and proficiency with newly implemented technologies.
• Collaborate with IT Operations and Infrastructure to ensure robust security protocols are implemented to safeguard critical data and systems.
• Collaborate with quality assurance and compliance teams to ensure technology solutions adhere to food safety regulations and industry standards.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Information Technology, Operations Management, or a related field.
• Proven leadership experience (5+ years) in operations technology management, preferably within the food processing or distribution industry, with a focus on meat processing.
• In-depth understanding of meat processing and distribution operations, including production, supply chain, and logistics.
• Demonstrated success in developing and executing technology strategies that drive operational efficiency and innovation.
• Strong project management skills, including the ability to lead and guide cross-functional teams through technology implementation projects.
• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills to collaborate with internal teams, external partners, and vendors.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills to identify opportunities for technology-driven process improvements.
• A passion for staying updated with industry trends, emerging technologies, and innovations in the operations technology space.

Please refer the Job description for details