About this position

Location: Kitchener, Ontario

Company: Onward Hardware div of Richelieu Hardware

Reports To: General Manager Onward Hardware

Lead People. Drive Performance. Create Momentum.

We’re looking for a dynamic, people-first Operations Manager to lead our large-scale distribution centre. This role is for a hands-on leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment, builds high-performing teams, and turns operational complexity into streamlined execution.

If you believe culture drives results and that engaged teams outperform metrics alone — we want to meet you.

What You’ll Do

Lead & Inspire

Coach, mentor, and develop front-line supervisors and team leads

Foster a culture of accountability, safety, and continuous improvement

Build strong cross-functional partnerships across warehouse, transportation, and inventory teams

Champion employee engagement and retention initiatives

Drive Operational Excellence

Oversee daily distribution centre operations (receiving, picking, packing, shipping)

Deliver on KPIs: safety, service, productivity, quality, and cost

Optimize workflows, labour planning, and capacity management

Lead continuous improvement initiatives (Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen mindset)

Build for the Future

Develop succession plans and talent pipelines

Lead change management initiatives with clarity and empathy

Support technology implementation and process innovation

What You Bring

7+ years of progressive operations leadership experience (distribution or large warehouse environment preferred)

Proven experience leading large teams (50+ employees is ideal)

Strong coaching and leadership presence — visible, approachable, decisive

Exceptional computer skills, mastery of Microsoft office suite particularly Excel.

Deep understanding of WMS/TMS systems and experience with Lean, Six Sigma and automation technologies

Bachelor’s degree in business administration with a logistics and operations profile is an asset.

Strong analytical mindset with excellent communication skills

Who You Are

A calm problem-solver in high-pressure environments

Energized by developing people and building teams

Data-driven but human-focused

Comfortable on the warehouse floor — this is not a desk-only role

Proactive, change-oriented and forward-thinking

Our customers
- More than 120,000 customers in North America: manufacturers of kitchen and bathroom cabinets, storage and closets, residential and office furniture, doors and windows, residential and commercial woodworking shops, as well as hardware retailers including big-box renovation stores.

Our team

3,000 people, of which almost half are dedicated to sales and marketing, and more than 50% are Richelieu shareholders.

What we offer

A Quebec flagship: As a company proudly rooted in Quebec but present in Canada and the United States, we benefit from excellent recognition and a strong reputation.
A mature and stable company: With more than 50 years of market experience, we offer the confidence and organizational solidity necessary for a secure work environment.
Continuous growth: With solid financial health, our company is in constant expansion, thus opening future opportunities for all.
Competitive compensation: We offer competitive base compensation according to the market.
Possibility of becoming a shareholder: We believe in employee involvement and offer them the possibility of becoming shareholders.
Work-life balance: We value a healthy and flexible work environment, allowing everyone to reconcile work and private life.
Quality products: We commit to offering products of exceptional quality, thus satisfying our most demanding customers.