General Manager – Plant Operations

Position Purpose:

The General Manager – Plant Operations is responsible for the effective operation of the plywood manufacturing facility by establishing and executing operational and management plans, driving productivity and efficiency gains while ensuring employee safety and product quality, providing clear direction and leadership to the plant staff through goal setting, performance and metric reviews, action planning, training and development and continuous improvement and optimization of all production processes.

People Reporting to This Position Directly:

  1. Plant Superintendent
  2. Health, Safety & Environmental Coordinator
  3. Quality Control Supervisor
  4. Maintenance Superintendent
  5. Industrial Energy Manager
  6. Chief Steam Engineer
  7. Manager of Log Supply

People Reporting to This Position Indirectly:

  1. Production and Maintenance Foreman
  2. Production workers

KEY COMPETENCIES

Safety

  1. Prepare and direct an Annual Accident Prevention Program.
  2. Ensure that at least minimum Ministry of Environment, Insurance Underwriter, health and safety, and community environmental requirements are met or exceeded.

Quality

  1. Assist and coordinate with the Sales Department to enhance customer relations in providing quality products to our customers within contract requirements and communicate to ensure that timely shipment and quality is maintained.
  2. Ensure that the best person available is carrying out each supervisory function.  If performance is not up to standard and training does not help, the General Manager must see that the necessary changes are made, through the line process, to correct the situation.  Hiring of non-shareholders for office staff or management positions is subject to prior decision and approval of the Directors.
  3. Improve performance and ensure management succession by planning for acquiring, training, developing and motivating plant staff and ensuring that all personnel understand and are focused on their contributions to the Company’s Mission Goals and Objectives.
  4. Make representations to various levels of Government when specific situations arise.

Production and Efficiency

  1. Ensure that maximum efficiency of equipment and machines is achieved and opportunities for earning improvement and cost reduction are pursued and realized by formulating and administering Annual and Five-Year Capital Budgets for Richply.  These are to be submitted to the Directors prior to the end of August of each year for their consideration.
  2. Ensure that planned production volumes are established and achieved by formulating an Annual Operating Budget consistent with maximum utilization and balancing of the Company’s capabilities, fibre supply and market requirements; submit this budget to the Directors for their consideration by the end of November each year.
  3. Be current on industry status, changes and developments, including all equipment and machinery manufacturers and other plywood operations.
  4. Work with all members of the senior management team to ensure the success of Richply.

Recovery

Maximize the utilization and recovery from logs, productivity of the labour force and quality of products by establishing operating procedures and controls that effectively and efficiently utilize personnel, materials, equipment and capital machinery.

Cost

  1. Prepare a Quarterly Written Report to the Shareholders on all phases of the operation:  profitability, fibre supply and cost, market concerns, status of capital projects, competitive situations, environmental concerns, health and safety, and other areas affecting the well-being of the operation of Richply.
  2. Ensure that the Company’s by-products are sold or disposed of at the best price or in the most economical way, continuity considered.
  3. Ensure the inventories are fresh and kept to the most efficient minimum level.

POSITION KSAS (KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITY)

Operational & Technical Knowledge – has the functional and technical knowledge and skills to perform job functions efficiently and effectively with a high level of accomplishment and in alignment with the rest of the organization.

Knowledge of Job Responsibilities – is personally accountable and responsible for all operational aspects with specific oversight of Production, Quality, Health, Safety, Environment, Maintenance, and Fiber Supply.

Team Leadership – is the ability to achieve positive outcomes by encouraging, supporting, coaching, developing and mentoring others.  It includes the ability to model behavior and support the organization’s aspirations and values.

Problem Solving – is the ability to analyze problems systematically, organize information, identify key factors, identify underlying causes and generate solutions.  Structures and directs others’ work on projects or programs.

Cost Control – is the ability to design, implement, monitor, control, and improve manufacturing processes, recoveries, schedules and continuously improve; sets clear objectives and measures; monitors process, progress and results. 

Safety Leadership – is the ability to develop, implement and manage practices which promote a healthy, safe and secure work environment.

Teamwork and Peer Relationships –relates well to all people up, down and sideways, inside and outside the organization; builds constructive relationships and effective teams; is seen as a team player and is cooperative as opposed to working separately or competitively; easily gains trust and support of peers; encourages collaboration. 

Communication:  Listening and Speaking – organizes and expresses ideas clearly; ability to share information in a timely, accurate, effective and collaborative manner.  Understands and learns from what others say.

Integrity and Trust – is widely trusted, is seen as direct, truthful, keeps confidences, admits mistakes and does not misrepresent for personal gain.

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • The ideal candidate will be a strong leader and problem solver with an analytical mind and excellent interpersonal communication skills.
  • Education or equivalent experience in Engineering, Business or Wood Sciences with manufacturing operations leadership experience or has demonstrated management abilities applicable to the position.
  • Minimum of 10 years working in wood production management required.
  • Proven track record of driving operational success and results in plywood production, quality, and costs required.
  • Financial, process management, and team leadership skills.
  • Skillful problem solving and troubleshooting techniques.
  • Capable of working effectively under pressure and meeting strict deadlines.
  • Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills required.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

This position is plant / mill based, working in a team environment.

The following is taken directly from a sample General Manager – Plant Operations employment contract:

You are subject to direction by the Directors and are subject to the policies established from time to time by the Directors.

As General Manager-Plant Operations, you are accountable for all activities in fibre supply to Richply and the production of plywood and veneer subject to production levels, finances and policies established by the Directors.

Preventative maintenance keeps equipment running at peak performance which leads to a more predictable and productive operations. To be successful in this role you will also need to focus on all preventative maintenance in the mill.

A.  Duties and Responsibilities

  1. Richply operates 24 hours a day, seven days per week. Unless prevented by ill health or other sufficient cause, you shall devote all your working time and attention to the business of Richply.
  2. You may not, without the written consent in writing of the Directors, engage in any other business or occupation or become a director, manager, or agent of any other company or firm.
  3. You are to serve well and faithfully Richply and use your best efforts to promote the interests of Richply.
  4. You should not disclose the private affairs, confidential information, or trade secrets of Richply or its members to any person other than in the proper course of your duties. You shall not use or disclose for your own purposes, or for any purposes other than those of Richply, any information, documents, accounting, or financial statements you may acquire with respect to the affairs of Richply.
  5. Your role and responsibilities include:
    1. Manage the operational performance of the mill and provide strategic leadership and coaching to direct reports. Effectively manage and advance all aspects of manufacturing – health & safety, environmental, quality, productivity, recovery, cost control, compliance, and capital/maintenance investment.
    2. Provide a clear sense of direction and focus to the team by developing and executing operating strategies designed to maximize fibre recovery, optimize process, improve manpower attendance and productivity, and to ensure the production of the highest quality products at the lowest costs.Identify key performance indicators and metrics that lead to effective decision making, focused engagement, and attainment of business goals.
  6. Improve performance and ensure management succession by planning for acquiring, training, developing, and motivating plant staff and ensuring that all personnel understand and are focused on their contributions to the Company’s Mission, Goals, and Objectives.
  7. Prepare an Annual Operating Budget that allocates resources effectively and fully utilizes assets to produce optimal results in alignment with the Company’s capabilities, fibre supply, and market requirements. Operating Budgets are to be submitted to the Directors by the end of November every year. Manage approved budgets to deliver determined performance indicators.
  8. Formulate i) Annual and ii) 5-Year Capital Budgets by identifying, evaluating, and prioritizing capital projects. Determine funding necessary for the purchase of long-term fixed assets that will keep our core business operating, maximize the returns for Richply’s business, keep costs low, and are strategic for Richply’s future.
    Criteria for evaluating projects include, but are not limited to, maintain productivity, increase output, increase recovery, improve quality, reduce downtime, cost reduction, improve safety, protect the environment, or product development or growth.
    Capital Budgets are to be submitted to the Directors prior to the end of August every year.
  9. Lead the operations safety effort by managing the overall safety performance of the mill in pursuit of a “zero-incident” environment. Ensure the continued development and delivery of a comprehensive site health, safety and environmental program which promote a healthy, safe, and secure work environment. Lead the safety department in the right direction for positive results.
    Prepare and direct an Annual Accident Prevention Program. Ensure that at least minimum Ministry of Environment, Insurance Underwriter, health and safety, and community environmental requirements are met or exceeded. Empower employees to understand and accept their roles to achieve the desired outcomes.
  10. Prepare twice a year (first week of April and September) a Written Report to the Shareholders on all phases of the operation: profitability, fibre supply and cost, market concerns, status of capital projects, competitive situations, environmental concerns, health and safety, and other areas affecting the well-being of the operation of Richply.
  11. Ensure that the best person available is carrying out each supervisory function. If performance is not up to standard and training does not help, the General Manager must see that the necessary changes are made, through the line process, to correct the situation. Hiring of non-shareholders for management positions is subject to prior decision and approval of the Directors.
  12. Make representations to various levels of regulatory authorities such as, federal, provincial and municipal, when specific situations arise.
  13. Assist and coordinate with the Sales Department to enhance customer relations in providing quality products to our customers within contract requirements.
  14. In consultation with the Vice President, Sales & Marketing, ensure that the Company’s by-products are sold or disposed of at the best price or in the most economical way, continuity considered.
  15. Ensure the inventories are fresh and kept to the most efficient minimum level.
  16. Be current on industry status, changes, and developments, including all equipment and machinery manufacturers and other plywood operations.
  17. Supervise the following Staff directly:
    1. Senior Management:
      1. Manager, Log Supply
    2. Operations and Maintenance Department:
      1. Plant Superintendent
      2. Health, Safety & Environmental Coordinator
      3. Quality Control Supervisor
      4. Maintenance Superintendent
      5. Industrial Energy Manager
      6. Chief Steam Plant Engineer
  18. Any other duties as would be expected for a General Manager or as reasonably assigned by the Directors

B. Authority

Subject to overriding corporate budgets and policies established from time to time by the Directors, you have the authority, subject to any direction of or change by the Directors:

  1. to incur maintenance expenditures up to an aggregate of $50,000 and capital expenditures up to an aggregate of $25,000 in each fiscal year.
  2. to adjust crewing on a temporary basis, up to a 30-day period, in addressing specific maintenance or production problems.
  3. without Shareholder lay-offs, to adjust production volumes with resultant changes in crewing.
  4. based on performance, to promote or demote supervisory personnel through the line process.
  5. for periods of up to 30 days and subject to prior approval of remuneration by the Directors, to engage supervisory staff or plant advisors or plant consultants.