About the role
As a Cell Lead, you will be accountable for the performance of your production line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You will lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team while driving operational excellence through the implementation of the Barry Callebaut Operating System (BCOS). This role is ideal for a proven manufacturing leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is passionate about developing people, improving processes, and achieving outstanding results.
Key responsibilities
Lead a High-Performing Team
- Provide day-to-day leadership, coaching, and support to production employees.
- Foster a culture of safety, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Develop team capability through coaching, training, and performance management.
- Inspire employees to achieve operational, quality, and safety goals.
- Support career development and employee engagement initiatives.
- Build and maintain a positive and inclusive work environment that promotes teamwork and retention.
Drive Safety and Operational Excellence
- Lead by example and actively promote a strong safety culture.
- Identify and eliminate unsafe conditions and behaviors through sustainable corrective actions.
- Ensure compliance with all health, safety, environmental, and GMP requirements.
- Maintain high housekeeping and equipment standards across the production area.
- Support food safety, product quality, and regulatory compliance requirements.
Own Line Performance
- Take ownership for line performance and key manufacturing results.
- Lead Daily Direction Setting (DDS) and Daily Management System (DMS) activities.
- Drive Run-to-Target (RTT) execution and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Monitor and analyze production performance data to identify opportunities and address losses.
- Develop and execute action plans to improve safety, quality, productivity, reliability, and cost performance.
- Support line startups, shutdowns, changeovers, and planned maintenance activities.
Develop Capability and Continuous Improvement
- Coach team members on BCOS, TPM, Autonomous Maintenance (AM), and operational standards.
- Utilize structured problem-solving methodologies to identify root causes and eliminate losses.
- Drive team engagement in continuous improvement activities and performance discussions.
- Collaborate with Maintenance, Engineering, Quality, and Operations teams to improve line performance.
- Identify capability gaps and leverage internal and external resources to strengthen team performance.
- Participate in site-wide improvement projects and strategic initiatives.
Lead Through Change
- Demonstrate strong leadership during challenges, operational disruptions, and changes in priorities.
- Build trust and credibility through consistent communication and decision-making.
- Partner with site leadership to align team goals with broader business objectives.
- Promote adoption of global standards and best practices across the organization.
About you:
Required Qualifications
- Post-secondary education in Manufacturing, Engineering, Business, or a related field is considered an asset.
- Previous leadership or supervisory experience in a manufacturing environment.
- Strong knowledge of production operations, safety, quality, and performance management.
- Excellent communication, coaching, and people development skills.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize competing demands.
- Proficiency with computer systems and production reporting tools.
- Ability to analyze data and use performance metrics to drive improvement.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with BCOS, Integrated Work Systems (IWS), High Performance Organizations (HPO), TPM, or Lean Manufacturing.
- First-line leadership training or equivalent supervisory experience.
- Knowledge of Autonomous Maintenance (AM) methodologies and line transformation principles.
- Experience using structured problem-solving and continuous improvement tools.
- Strong understanding of manufacturing KPIs and operational excellence systems.
- Experience leading change initiatives and cross-functional teams.
Key Leadership Competencies
We are looking for leaders who:
- Lead with integrity and accountability.
- Have a passion for developing people and building strong teams.
- Are highly organized and results-oriented.
- Communicate effectively at all levels of the organization.
- Can positively influence others and drive engagement.
- Demonstrate resilience and adaptability in a fast-paced environment.
- Have strong decision-making and problem-solving skills.
- Possess credibility on the production floor and lead by example.
- Are committed to continuous learning and personal development.
Key Competencies
- Leadership and team development
- Continuous improvement mindset
- Equipment reliability and asset care
- Maintenance planning and scheduling
- Data-driven decision making
- Root cause problem solving
- Collaboration and stakeholder management
- Change management
- Technical coaching and training
Working Conditions
- Manufacturing environment with exposure to heat, noise, moving machinery, and production operations.
- Ability to move freely throughout the facility, including production, warehouse, and maintenance areas.
- Occasional lifting, climbing, and extended periods of walking or standing.
- Ability to work flexible hours as required to support operational needs.
Why Join Barry Callebaut?
At Barry Callebaut, you'll be part of a global organization that values innovation, safety, sustainability, and employee development. We offer opportunities to lead meaningful improvements, grow your career, and make a direct impact on world-class manufacturing operations.
Barry Callebaut can offer you a challenging and dynamic international environment that includes a broad range of opportunities for personal growth and development. Apply for one of our interesting positions and start a great career in the wonderful world of CHOCOLATE. Barry Callebaut is an equal opportunity employer, committed to fair and accessible employment practices that attract and retain talented employees. Should you require accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources at the Brantford site.
