Operations Manager, South

Role Responsibilities

Do you enjoy leading teams and bringing out their full potential?

We’re looking for a strong, people focused leader to join our team as Operations Manager, South.

In this role, you’ll provide strategic guidance and operational leadership to a regional team of 30+ staff and oversee an annual operating budget of approximately $3.5 million across the Airdrie and Lethbridge regions.

You’ll be responsible for developing and implementing operational policies and procedures that support effective regulatory oversight and build confidence in Alberta’s food safety system. Leading a dedicated team of two regional supervisors, you will guide the delivery of daily inspection operations carried out by approximately 30 meat inspectors—ensuring consistency, professionalism, and compliance with legislative requirements.

Does this sound like your next leadership challenge? Apply and help shape the future of food safety in Alberta.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead regional meat inspection operations, ensuring legislated food safety, animal welfare, and regulatory requirements are met efficiently, safely and professionally across provincially licensed facilities.
• Provide leadership in the development and implementation of operations to support the delivery of the provincial meat and dairy inspection program within the region. Programs and activities are developed and implemented to meet legislated requirements, industry best practices and address emerging needs.
• Provide expert operational and enforcement guidance through risk analysis, investigations, committee participation, and collaboration on food safety and animal welfare issues.
• Develop and maintain inspection directives, standard operating procedures (SOPs) and guidance, ensuring inspectors and industry have clear, plain language direction and consistent program delivery.
• Manage, coach and motivate a geographically dispersed regulatory team, providing coaching, performance management, training, and strategic resource allocation to meet regional priorities.
• Ensure strong financial stewardship, managing a ~$3.5M regional budget, tracking expenditures, supporting forecasting, and identifying efficiencies in line with Treasury Board policies.

Please click on this link to view the job description for this position.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

This link will assist you with understanding competencies:
https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf.

Agility - Identifies and manages required change and the associated risks:

• Identifies alternative approaches and supports others to do the same.
• Proactively explains impact of changes.
• Anticipates and mitigates emotions of others.
• Anticipates obstacles and stays focused on goals.
• Makes decisions and takes action in uncertain situations and creates a backup plan.

Drive for Results - Works to remove barriers to outcomes, sticking to principles:

• Forecasts and proactively addresses project challenges.
• Removes barriers to collaboration and achievement of outcomes.
• Upholds principles and confronts problems directly.
• Considers complex factors and aligns solutions with broader organization mission.

Develop Networks - Leverages relationships to build input and perspective:

• Looks broadly to engage stakeholders.
• Open to perspectives towards long-term goals.
• Actively seeks input into change initiatives.
• Maintains stakeholder relationships.

Creative Problem Solving - Works in open teams to share ideas and process issues:

• Uses wide range of techniques to break down problems.
• Allows others to think creatively and voice ideas.
• Brings the right people together to solve issues.
• Identifies new solutions for the organization.

Qualifications

A university degree in Food Science, Food Safety, Animal Health, Agriculture, veterinary sciences or related, plus six (6) years progressively responsible related experience leading teams conducting regulatory assurance.

Related experience or education may be considered as an equivalency on a one for one basis.

Preference will be given to those with direct management and leadership experience.

Assets:

• Familiarity with applicable legislation, regulations, frameworks and guidelines (Meat Inspection Act, Animal Protection Act, Livestock Identification and Commerce Act).
• Strong scientific and technical expertise in food safety, microbiology, zoonotic diseases, livestock pathology, surveillance, inspection processes, meat processing, research methodologies, and data analysis.
• Proven ability to lead complex projects and multidisciplinary teams.
• Demonstrated leadership in politically sensitive and diverse environments, with strong communication, facilitation, conflict resolution, and advisory skills.
• Comprehensive experience in occupational health and safety programs, incident command systems, emergency response, and enterprise-level risk management to ensure operational continuity and public safety.
  
  

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification. 
Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards.

Notes

Position Information:

• Office located in Airdrie or Lethbridge (Select preference in the pre-screening section).
• Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week (full time).
• Monday to Friday (08:15 am-16:30 pm).
• Managers are expected to work the hours needed to fulfill their responsibilities.

Other Application Information:

• A cover letter is required with your application, outlining how your education and experience aligns with the role and how this position fits with your career goals.
• This position will require final candidates to undergo a security clearance.
• Final candidates may be required to undergo a written test demonstrating writing skills and abilities pre or post interviews.
• Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in.

Links and information on what the GoA has to offer to prospective employees.

• Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx.
• Pension plan: Management Employees Pension Plan (MEPP)  https://www.mepp.ca/page/mepp-home.
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits.
• Professional learning and development - https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive.
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool – https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca.
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.
• Leadership and mentorship programs.