Design Operations Manager

Maxxit Systems Inc•Toronto, ON

7h•CA$85,000 - CA$100,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Design Operations Manager is responsible for managing workflow, resources, and schedules within the design department. This role bridges creative vision and operational execution—balancing design excellence with practical deadlines and deliverables. The Design Operations Manager will help implement processes, track project progress, manage department priorities, and act as a central communication internally.

Requirements

Degree in Industrial Design, Architectural Technology, Interior Design, Engineering Technology, Project Management, or a related field.
Equivalent combination of education and industry experience may be considered.
Minimum 5–8 years of experience in a design, manufacturing, architectural, or custom fabrication environment.
Minimum 2–3 years of leadership, team coordination, or project management experience.
Proven experience managing multiple concurrent projects, schedules, and cross-functional teams.
Strong understanding of design workflows, drawing packages, approvals, and production coordination.
Experience working with ERP/project tracking systems, scheduling software, and Microsoft Office Suite.
Demonstrated ability to lead process improvement initiatives and implement operational efficiencies.
Proficiency in design and project management software such as SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Revit, Bluebeam, Monday.com, Asana, or similar platforms.
Strong understanding of manufacturing timelines, production scheduling, and design-to-fabrication workflows.
Leadership: Ability to inspire and guide a creative team toward shared goals.
Detail-Oriented: Precision in managing timelines, deliverables, and design standards.
Problem-Solving: Quick and creative responses to design challenges and schedule shifts.
Collaboration: Skilled at bridging gaps between creative design, engineering, and production.
Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to coordinate across departments and leadership levels.

Nice To Haves

Experience in custom fabrication for ceilings, walls, or architectural features.
Familiarity with CNC fabrication processes, materials (wood, metal, acoustic panels, composites), and architectural finishes.
Knowledge of LEED, sustainability requirements, or building code compliance.
PMP certification or formal project management training considered an asset.

Responsibilities

Oversee design department schedules, priorities, and deadlines to ensure timely delivery of drawings, models, and specifications.
Assign projects and tasks to designers based on skill set, workload, and project requirements.
Monitor progress, flag at-risk deadlines, and implement contingency plans.
Maintain a centralized project tracker and reporting dashboard for leadership review.
Coordinating with project managers, engineers, and fabrication leads to align design output with production capabilities.
Manage incoming design requests, clarifications, and revisions from internal teams and clients.
Organize department meetings, design reviews, and milestone checkpoints.
Support onboarding and training of new design team members.
Develop, implement, and maintain department scheduling systems to manage project timelines and milestones.
Coordinate cross-functional schedules between design, engineering, and production to ensure smooth handoffs.
Proactively identify schedule risks, conflicts, or bottlenecks and work with stakeholders to resolve them.
Track progress against project timelines and report status updates to leadership and project managers.
Lead initiatives to improve scheduling accuracy, resource allocation, and workflow efficiency.
Establish and maintain clear communication channels for schedule changes, approvals, and deliverable expectations.
Track design department labor hours, utilization rates, and budget allocations.
Approve design-related purchases and software licensing requests.
Provide monthly performance reports to leadership.