GEC - Networks Operations Manager

Grote Industries•Waterloo, ON

4d•CA$90,000 - CA$120,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Networks Operations Lead is a critical cross-functional role within Grote Networks, the advanced technologies and telematics division of Grote Industries. This individual serves as the single point of operational contact between the Grote Networks commercial, engineering and leadership team and the Grote manufacturing facilities located in Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Based primarily at Grote Electronics in Waterloo, Canada, this role is responsible for ensuring seamless execution of Grote Networks product programs across all manufacturing sites. The Networks Operations Lead will manage the coordination of new product introductions and project implementations across plants, partner with each facility's quality team to uphold product standards and serve as a key member of the Grote Networks leadership team. This position carries a dual reporting structure: administratively reporting to the Director of Operations at Grote Electronics, while receiving day-to-day work directions from the VP & GM of Grote Networks. The incumbent must be adept at navigating a matrixed organization, building strong relationships across geographies and functions, and operating with the discipline and communication rigor that multi-site coordination demands.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, or a related field required.
7+ years of experience in manufacturing operations, program management, or cross-functional coordination roles within an industrial or technology manufacturing environment
Demonstrated experience managing programs or projects across multiple manufacturing sites or geographies
Track record of successful new product introductions or program launches in a manufacturing context
Experience working in or closely with quality management systems and teams
Background in electronics, automotive, commercial vehicle, industrial technology, or adjacent manufacturing industries preferred
Familiarity with telematics hardware, embedded electronics, or connected vehicle products is a strong asset
Experience navigating multi-site, multi-country manufacturing environments
Cross-cultural communication experience (Canada, US, and Mexico operating context)
Proficiency in project management methodologies and tools (e.g., MS Project, Smartsheet, or equivalent)
Experience with quality management systems (ISO 9001 or equivalent) and quality tools (8D, FMEA, PPAP, etc.)
Competency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams for reporting, presentations, and cross-facility communication
Familiarity with ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, or equivalent) preferred
Knowledge In Multi-site manufacturing operations and cross-facility program coordination
Knowledge In New product introduction (NPI) and program launch processes in a manufacturing environment
Knowledge In Quality management systems, standards, and tools in a manufacturing or electronics context
Knowledge In Supply chain coordination and manufacturing planning fundamentals
Skills In Cross-functional communication and stakeholder management across operations, engineering, quality, and commercial teams
Skills In Program and project management — planning, tracking, risk identification, and escalation management
Skills In Developing and maintaining process documentation, playbooks, and operational reporting
Skills In Building effective working relationships across geographically distributed and culturally diverse teams
Demonstrated Ability To Coordinate complex, multi-site programs with multiple stakeholders and competing priorities
Demonstrated Ability To Identify operational risks and drive resolution before they impact commercial commitments
Demonstrated Ability To Operate effectively in a matrixed organization with dual reporting lines and multiple sets of stakeholders
Demonstrated Ability To Build trust and credibility quickly with plant-level operations and quality teams
Demonstrated Ability To Translate commercial priorities into actionable operational plans and communicate manufacturing realities back to commercial leadership
Experience With Liaising between commercial/product teams and manufacturing operations in a fast-moving business environment
Experience With Managing quality escalations and corrective action processes across multiple production sites
Experience With Cross-border operations involving Canadian, US, and Mexican manufacturing facilities
Experience With Supporting or leading continuous improvement initiatives in a manufacturing environment

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree or professional certifications in operations/project management are a plus but not required.

Responsibilities

Serve as the single point of contact for the Grote Networks team on all operational matters involving the Canada, US, and Mexico manufacturing facilities
Build and maintain strong working relationships with plant operations leaders, production supervisors, and functional managers at all three facilities
Coordinate day-to-day operational activities between the Grote Networks team and plant-level stakeholders to ensure alignment on priorities, timelines, and deliverables
Proactively identify and resolve operational bottlenecks, capacity constraints, or scheduling conflicts that could impact Grote Networks program delivery
Develop and maintain a structured communication cadence across facilities to keep all stakeholders informed and aligned
Lead the operational coordination of new Grote Networks product introductions and program launches across all manufacturing sites
Partner with engineering, product, and commercial teams to translate go-to-market requirements into plant-level implementation plans with clear owners, timelines, and milestones
Track and report on implementation progress across facilities, escalating risks or delays to the Grote Networks leadership team as needed
Facilitate cross-plant alignment meetings and working sessions to ensure consistent understanding and execution of new program requirements
Develop and maintain standardized implementation playbooks and process documentation to support repeatable, scalable program launches
Act as the Grote Networks liaison to the quality teams at each manufacturing facility, ensuring product quality standards are understood, implemented, and maintained
Monitor and track quality KPIs across plants; surface trends and drive corrective action in partnership with facility quality managers
Coordinate cross-facility quality reviews and audits as needed to validate compliance with Grote Networks product specifications
Partner with engineering and product teams to communicate engineering change orders (ECOs), specification updates, and quality improvement initiatives to plant-level teams
Ensure that customer-facing quality commitments made by the Grote Networks commercial team are operationally supported and achievable at the plant level
Serve as a standing member of the Grote Networks leadership team, representing the operational perspective in commercial and strategic planning discussions
Provide regular operational updates, risk assessments, and capacity outlooks to the VP & GM of Grote Networks
Contribute to the development of Grote Networks' operational strategy, including manufacturing readiness plans, supplier coordination, and capacity planning for new products
Act as the internal voice of manufacturing, translating operational realities into actionable guidance for the commercial team on program timelines, product availability, and feasibility
Work closely with engineering, supply chain, and logistics teams to coordinate material flow, component availability, and production scheduling across facilities
Collaborate with the Grote Networks commercial team to support customer delivery commitments, manage escalations, and provide visibility into operational status
Support continuous improvement initiatives across facilities that enhance efficiency, quality, or throughput for Grote Networks products
Travel periodically to the US and Mexico manufacturing facilities to support project launches, quality reviews, and relationship-building with plant teams