IMMEDIATE INTERIM OPPORTUNITY Interim Vice President of Operations Reporting to: COO Duration: 6 months Location: Vaughan, ON Canada (on-site) Our client, a Canadian multi-national pharmaceutical company, is in urgent need of an Interim VP, Operations to oversee the daily operations of a multidisciplinary site that includes manufacturing, packaging warehousing and maintenance. This role will ensure the safe execution of activities while driving efficiency, quality and consistency of the product.The VP Operations will contribute to strategic planning, forecasting, team leadership, and collaboration across the organization to enhance overall business operationswhile also maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements including GMP, HACCP, GPP and Health Canada regulations. A science or engineering degree is a non-negotiable requirement for this role. Key Accountabilities: Develop and implement strategic plans for the site operations, aligning with the companys goals and vision; Identify opportunities for process improvement and implement initiatives to enhance efficiency and productivity; Lead cross-functional initiatives to improve productivity, reduce costs, and enhance service delivery; Develop and adhere to performance and quality KPIs as well as budgets and other measures of success; Champion a culture of safety across the site and organization; ensure compliance with all health, safety, and environmental regulations; Partner with HSE to monitor and improve the safety culture and KPIs; Maintain compliance with regulatory and quality requirements, including, but not limited to effective investigations, change controls, process SOPs/work instruction updates; Ensure adherence to procedures to comply with regulatory standards such as Occupational Health and Safety Act, GMP, HACCP, GPP, etc.; Ensure all operations, documentation, and reporting meet regulatory and industry standards; Work closely with legal teams to address compliance risks and audits; Promote a strong corporate governance structure, ensuring all ethical, legal, and environmental requirements are met; Lead response efforts during operational crises, ensuring business continuity; Implement risk management strategies to address labour shortages and global supply chain challenges; Establish emergency preparedness plans to minimize disruptions from natural disasters, cyber threats, and regulatory changes; Manage operational budgets, ensuring cost-effective resource allocation; Partner with finance and procurement to optimize spending; Collaborate with senior leadership across the organization to align strategic priorities; Foster strong partnerships within the organization, including, QA, Engineering, Production Planning, HSE, Finance, Supply Chain, IT, and Regulatory Affairs; Collaborate with external partners, regulatory agencies, and suppliers/vendors, as required; Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and professional development; lead initiatives to enhance employee engagement; Act as a mentor, coach, and motivator for the site leadership team, site managers, and employees at all levels; Drive succession planning and leadership development to ensure a strong talent pipeline; Foster an inclusive and diverse workplace that encourages innovation and continuous learning; Competencies and Requirements: Bachelors Degree in Science or Engineering required; Previous experience in a leadership role within manufacturing or relevant industry, including pharmaceutical, CPG, etc.; Minimum of 8-10 years of experience leading in a manufacturing environment with teams of 100+ employees; 5+ years experience in a GMP environment is preferred; Demonstrated success implementing process improvements and driving operational excellence; Experience in budget management and financial oversight; Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing teams; In-depth knowledge of operational best practices, process optimization, and supply chain management; Strong strategic thinking abilities to align operational initiatives with organizational objectives; Ability to engage and excite diverse teams to identify common goals, drive consensus and change; Ability to think strategically while balancing tactical challenges; Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate with cross functional teams; Ability to quickly adapt, maintain focus and a high degree of accuracy while working with complex data in an environment of ever-changing deadlines, priorities and requirements; Accountable for results, strives to meet and exceed expectations; PLEASE SEND YOUR CV TO: (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 are available to offer their unique depth and breadth of experience to organizations on a limited engagement basis. Follow the LHH Knightsbridge LinkedIn page and set up a job alert to learn about new Executive Interim opportunities. 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 are an equal opportunity employer; we welcome applications from people with disabilities, and we can provide accommodations during hiring processes. We value the diversity of the people we hire and serve. Diversity means fostering a workplace in which individual differences are recognized, appreciated and respected, as well as responded to in ways that fully develop and utilize each persons talents and strengths. We thank all interested candidates in advance; however, only individuals selected for interviews will be contacted. January 2026
Job Title
Interim Vice President of Operations