Operations Manager, Canada

Ocean Spray is hiring for a(n) Operations Manager, Canada! We’re a team of farmers, thinkers, creators, and doers. Whatever your title, whatever your role — it always comes back to this: we’re a farmer-owned co-op where everyone rolls up their sleeves to get the job done. Three maverick farmers started it all — and we’ve been making our own way ever since.  The Canadian head of operations is responsible for leading the end-to-end operational strategy and execution for Ocean Spray’s Canadian business in collaboration with a cross functional team. This role serves as the primary bridge between Supply Chain, Sales, Retail Customers, Co-Manufacturing Partners, and Cross-Functional Teams to ensure exceptional customer service, optimized inventory levels, cost efficiency, and successful execution of innovation timelines. This position oversees Canadian co-manufacturing partners, demand forecasting, inventory management, innovation project management/execution, and customer supply chain relationships. The head of operations proactively identifies risks and opportunities, drives collaborative problem solving, and develops strategies to improve fill rates, optimize costs, and support sustainable business growth. This role reports into the Ocean Spray Canada general manager. A Day in the Life... Key Responsibilities:   Co-Manufacturing Operations Leadership Lead the operational management and performance of Ocean Spray's Canadian co-manufacturing network on behalf of the coop. Develop and maintain strong relationships with current and potential co-manufacturing partners to ensure quality, service, cost, and production targets are achieved. Monitor operational performance and drive continuous improvement initiatives and cost savings projects across manufacturing partners. Resolve operational issues and escalate risks as needed to minimize customer impact. Coordinate with manufacturing partners to align production, inventory, and procurement plans with OSI sales activities. Negotiate and finalize agreements and addendums with OS and partner legal teams. Integrated Business Planning Own the Canadian IBP forecast process in partnership with cross functional team including forecasting, supply planning, and commercial teams. Ensure accurate demand forecasts that support service objectives, ensure lead times for procurement of raw materials, and inventory optimization in collaboration with demand planning team. Pressure test sales demand forecast through verifying trends, promotional activity, customer demand signals, and market dynamics to improve forecast accuracy. Provide recommendations to mitigate forecast risks and collaborate with the supply planning team when required to address changing business conditions.  Innovation & Commercialization Project Management Lead Canadian innovation and product commercialization projects from concept through market launch. Coordinate cross-functional teams to ensure timelines, supply…