Vice President, Operations – Extrusion & Plastics Recycling
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Company: Merlin Plastics
Job Type: Full-Time
Lead the Future of Sustainable Manufacturing
Merlin Plastics is one of North America's leading plastics recycling companies, producing high-quality recycled resins that help global brands achieve their sustainability goals.
We are seeking an experienced and hands-on Vice President, Operations to lead our Calgary manufacturing operations and drive the continued growth and performance of our extrusion and plastics recycling facilities.
This is a senior executive leadership opportunity for an operations leader who combines strategic vision, hands-on manufacturing expertise, and deep technical knowledge of plastics extrusion and polymer processing.
The Opportunity
Reporting to the Executive Leadership Team, the Vice President, Operations will have overall responsibility for safety, production, engineering, maintenance, quality, and continuous improvement across the operation.
The successful candidate will be responsible for optimizing plant performance, developing high-performing teams, supporting capital expansion, and implementing strategies that improve productivity, quality, efficiency, and profitability.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide strategic and hands-on leadership for plastics recycling and extrusion operations.
- Develop and execute operational strategies aligned with company growth and business objectives.
- Drive improvements in safety, production, quality, productivity, yield, and profitability.
- Optimize extrusion processes, throughput, material utilization, and recycled resin quality.
- Lead Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Oversee equipment commissioning, process optimization, capital projects, and plant expansions.
- Establish and monitor operational KPIs and use data to drive business decisions.
- Lead and mentor operations, engineering, maintenance, and production teams.
- Develop strong accountability, performance, and continuous improvement cultures.
- Ensure compliance with environmental, health and safety, quality, and regulatory requirements.
- Collaborate with senior leadership on capital planning, budgets, production capacity, and long-term operational strategy.
- Identify opportunities to improve equipment reliability, process efficiency, and overall plant performance.
Qualifications & Experience
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, or a related technical discipline; Master's degree is an asset.
- 15+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience, preferably in plastics, recycling, extrusion, or polymer processing.
- Extensive hands-on experience with single-screw and twin-screw extrusion.
- Strong technical knowledge of recycled polymers, melt filtration, pelletizing, compounding, and resin quality.
- Proven experience leading large-scale manufacturing, engineering, and maintenance teams.
- Demonstrated success improving production efficiency, throughput, yield, quality, and profitability.
- Experience with Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement, and data-driven operational management.
- Strong understanding of industrial safety, environmental compliance, and quality management systems.
- Excellent leadership, communication, problem-solving, and strategic planning skills.
- Ability to work hands-on in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and lead through change and growth.
What We Offer
- Competitive executive compensation and comprehensive benefits.
- Leadership opportunity within a growing North American recycling organization.
- State-of-the-art recycling and extrusion facilities.
- Collaborative and innovative engineering and manufacturing environment.
- Opportunity to lead major operational improvements and expansion initiatives.
- The opportunity to make a measurable environmental impact through sustainable manufacturing.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Merlin Plastics Alberta is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where employees are respected, supported, and given opportunities to succeed.
Apply today and help us shape the future of sustainable plastics manufacturing.
Education:
- Bachelor's Degree (preferred)
Experience:
- manufacturing leadership: 10 years (preferred)
- plastics extrusion: 5 years (required)
Work Location: In person
