Director Operations, Pine

Director of Pine OperationsThe Director of Pine Operations, reporting to the General Manager of Pine and Harwood Sawmills, will be responsible for the operation and productivity of the Pine Mills located in Dixfield, Maine, Doaktown, New Brunswick and the value-added plant in Cobleskill, New York. The pine mill managers and value-added mill manager will report directly to the Director of Operations and they will drive strategy, budgeting, profitability, productivity, and continuous improvement for these regional operations. The ideal candidate will be based out of our operation in Dixfield, Maine or Saint John, New Brunswick. Relocation support will be provided to out-of-area candidates.ResponsibilitiesSafetyMaintain the highest standards of safety, providing strong leadership and ensuring the team follows all policies, procedures and regulationsBecome knowledgeable about the high-risk areas of the pine mills and ensure actions plans are in place to mitigate the riskChair the bi-annual safety management review meeting at your sitesEnsure resources are deployed to meet improvement goals on Safety ScorecardStrategyParticipate in the development of the Pine mills operations strategyBased on the above, identify resources required to meet the goals (including prioritizing CAPX requests)Ensure mill manager and value-added manager understand their expectations, roles and responsibilities to deliver on the business strategy. Ensure alignment at the site level to the overall Division goalsIdentify talent, both internally and externally, and develop succession plans for key roles. Develop high potential talent for next career stepOperationsManage and identify opportunities to improve productivity, reduce cost and maximize the quality, value and recovery of wood products produced throughout the pine mills and the value-added facilityEnsure daily management system is in place and mills are delivering resultsEngage with mill leadership teams to ensure site exceed budgeted targetsProvide leadership on the maintenance audit, ensure it is implemented and improvement plans are in place to get to a 3.0 on Tier 1 measures identify resource requirements and synergies where possibleIdentify high risk areas (extended production or quality losses) and prioritize resources to address where possible and have contingency plans in placeProvide clear direction and oversight of maintenance projects and prioritization of workEnsure CI resources are deployed where we get the best ROIOversee Environmental Audit understanding all risk areas and ensure sites are adhering to best practicesQualityEngage mill managers and value-added manager to deliver on recovery and grade targetsEnsure customer delivery expectations are metOversee sites to confirm all get minimum of 3.0 on all areas of Quality Audit; review audit parameters to ensure they cover all areas and adjust as requiredPartner with Woodlands to ensure link is clear between log quality and lumber value (stain, rot, etc)Deal with customer complaints in a timely fashion, with corrective actions linked back to the quality audit.Other DutiesLead budgeting for sitesLead period forecasts and be within +/- 10% of forecast submissionsEnsure controls/processes are in place to manage inventory accuracy (stores, lumber) ensure no gaps exist in internal controls that could expose us to theft or fraudUtilize JDI systems and data to drive effective business decisions to improve profitabilityQualificationsPostsecondary education in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, Business or equivalent Master's level education and/or the willingness to complete an MBA with the company is required7-10 years of management experience within forest productsSolid budget and business planning experienceSuperior analytical and problem-solving skillsAbility to facilitate and lead change with multiple stakeholders (business leaders and operators)Must demonstrate ownership, and the ability to handle multiple priorities in a faced-paced environmentDriven, self starter with pragmatic thinking abilityAbility to use data to drive solutionsAbout the TeamIrving Sawmills and Irving Forest Products are committed to delivering quality lumber products, strong customer relationships and service reliability, as well as operating safe and efficient operations. We are focused on delivering quality products through continuous investment in our people, our forest products, our local communities and the most up-to-date technology.Our employees work in some of the most technologically advanced facilities in North America. In addition to our 12 sawmills and value-added mills, our portfolio contains an industrial-grade pellet plant and our Juniper Farms peat bog production facility. Our team of over 2,000 professionals produce premium products that are sold across North America and through our vertically integrated supply chain. We also supply wood chips for our growing Pulp & Paper Division. Careers at Irving Sawmills are exciting and fast-paced, and there are many opportunities to advance and grow a long-term career with the company in various professions such as production and operations, engineering, maintenance and reliability, technicians, and skilled trades, sales & logistics, and professional services. Employees are encouraged to try new roles to grow their skills as well as gain professional exposure across our many locations in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Maine, and New York.About UsFounded in 1882, J.D. Irving, Limited (JDI) has operations in Canada and the United States and are a team of 20,000 dedicated employees. At J.D. Irving, Limited, you are part of a dynamic team of professionals who lead with integrity and are passionate about delivering results. With a culture that nurtures talent and creates an inclusive workplace, you can grow your career across our various operating divisions. We are committed to creating accessible environments for our colleagues, candidates, and customers. Requests for accommodation due to a disability (which may be visible or invisible, temporary, or permanent) can be made at any stage of application and employment. We encourage candidates to make their accommodation needs known so that we can provide equitable opportunities. Worried you do not meet all the requirements? Studies have shown that many applicants apply only to job opportunities when they feel they meet 100% of the criteria. We promote an inclusive environment where everyone is appreciated, recognized, and empowered to contribute fully. If you are interested in this position but are worried you did not meet all the requirements, we would encourage you to still apply. We appreciate your interest in our company however only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.Job InfoJob Identification 4181Job Category Production & Skilled TradesPosting Date 03/11/2026, 12:53 PMJob Schedule Full timeLocations 24 Hall Hill Road, Dixfield, ME, 04224, US