General Manager – Value-Added Sawmill Operation

Job Description:  General Manager – Value-Added Sawmill Operation

Position Title: General Manager

Location: Madawaska Ontario, Canada

Reports To: President of Forest Products / Executive Leadership

Direct Reports: Sawmill Manager, Maintenance Manager, Value added Manager, Yard Manager, Safety Manager, Kiln Manager/Boiler Chief

Indirect Reports: HR/Administration

 Position Overview

The General Manager (GM) leads all operational, financial, compliance, and strategic functions of a large Ontario-based value-added sawmill operation, including primary breakdown, remanufacturing, kiln drying, Heat Treat (HT) processes, boiler and steam plant operations and Canadian Lumber Accreditation (CLA) compliance. This position ensures the facility meets operational targets, maintains Ontario safety and environmental standards, and complies with CFIA, NLGA, and export regulations including TSSA oversight for boiler and pressure vessel systems.

Key Responsibilities

1. Operational Leadership
   1. Assist and direct the Operations Manager for milling, remanufacturing, kilns, and value-added production lines.
   2. Oversee HT program operations, ensuring kiln schedules, calibrations, and documentation meet CFIA requirements for wood packaging and export.
   3. Maintain full compliance with CLA certification standards, including grade stamping, traceability, and QA procedures.
   4. Ensure high equipment uptime through preventative and predictive maintenance programs.

2. Boiler, Steam Plant & TSSA Compliance
   1. Oversee operation of biomass boilers, pressure vessels, and steam distribution systems.
   2. Ensure full compliance with the Technical Standards & Safety Authority (TSSA), including inspections, certification, logbooks, and operator qualifications.
   3. Work with licensed Operating Engineers and maintenance teams to ensure safe operation and adherence to Ontario Regulation 219/01 (Operating Engineers).
   4. Lead capital planning for boiler upgrades, fuel systems, emissions controls, and reliability improvements.
   5. Ensure environmental compliance for emissions and reporting through MECP and other relevant authorities.

3. Ontario Safety & Regulatory Compliance
   1. Ensure compliance with Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and WSIB standards.
   2. Lead safety culture initiatives, hazard assessments, and JHSC processes.
   3. Oversee environmental compliance on site with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF), MECP, and federal requirements.

4. Financial Management
   1. Develop, manage, and monitor operating budgets, cost controls, and capital planning.
   2. Track performance metrics such as yield recovery, HT throughput, grade recovery, and labour efficiency.
   3. Evaluate opportunities for profit improvement through product mix, recovery optimization, or automation.

5. Strategic & Capital Planning
   1. Lead modernization initiatives, including scanning, optimization, automation, and HT system upgrades.
   2. Assess market opportunities for new value-added products for Ontario, national, and export customers.
   3. Oversee capital projects from conception to commissioning.

6. Leadership & Workforce Management
   1. Provide leadership to supervisory teams and promote accountability, communication, and cross-departmental alignment.
   2. Ensure compliance with Ontario Employment Standards Act (ESA) and manage labour relations (union or non-union).
   3. Develop internal talent and support recruitment, training, and succession planning.

7. Quality Assurance & Compliance
   1. Ensure all lumber meets NLGA grading rules and CLA requirements.
   2. Maintain documentation for audits—including HT certification, CFIA records, grader certifications, and inspection logs.
   3. Respond to non-conformities and lead root-cause investigations.

8. Supply Chain & Fibre Procurement
   1. Assist Procurement Managers if required in log procurement consistent with Ontario forestry regulations and giving feedback on current log quality and supplier issues.
   2. Supervise logistics, transportation, and export scheduling.

Qualifications & Experience Required

• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in sawmilling, remanufacturing, or industrial wood processing.
• Strong working knowledge of Heat Treat operations and CFIA standards.
• Proven experience with CLA certification, NLGA grading rules, and export requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to lead large teams in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong financial literacy and problem-solving skills.

Preferred

• Post-secondary education in Wood Products Manufacturing, Forestry, Engineering, or Business.
• Experience with Lean/continuous improvement methodologies.
• Familiarity with Ontario forestry regulations, Crown wood supply, and scaling standards.

Key Competencies

• Operational excellence
• Strong regulatory and compliance understanding (TSSA, OHSA, MECP, CFIA, CLA)
• Safety leadership
• Strategic and financial planning
• Team leadership and communication
• Continuous improvement mindset

How to Apply:

Please email your resume and cover letter to hr@haliburtonforest.com or rhutchins@haliburtonforest.com