Vice President Operations - POSITION FILLED

Victoria Newitt Recruitment Inc has been retained by Sunrise Farms to search for a Vice President of Operations.

Position Title: VP Operations, Primary Processing
Location: Surrey, BC

About sunrise farms:
Sunrise Farms is a group of companies that has grown from an initial focus in the poultry industry including hatchery operations; poultry farming; primary processing (Sunrise Poultry Processors Ltd.); and further processing (Grand River Foods Ltd.); to distribution of other protein products across Canada.

Their humble start was in 1983 with one small processing facility in Surrey, British Columbia. They have now grown to serve a broad range of customers, both domestically and internationally. Sunrise Farms remains Canadian family owned, producing quality food products from processing plants located in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario.

From their hatcheries to their “ready to eat” state of the art cooking facilities they service customers in the retail, food service and industrial sectors. They are proud of their support of the Canadian farm as well as their investment in the latest equipment and technologies at their facilities across Canada. Their test kitchens have the most current cooking equipment replicating that used in commercial establishments, to facilitate precision testing. This way you know the product you receive will perform to your expectations.

POSITION Summary:
The VP Operations role is a member of the company executive team will be responsible for the execution of the strategic plan within the Primary Processing division. They will oversee ongoing business operations within the Primary Processing division which includes plant facilities in Surrey, Cloverdale, Calgary, Lethbridge, Taber, and Winnipeg.

PRIORITY:
Providing leadership, management, and vision to ensure that the business has effective people, operational controls, and reporting procedures in place.

Position Responsibilities:

The following is a representative (not exhaustive) list of key responsibilities:

• Establish strategic goals and budgets for the Primary Processing division; allocate resources to achieve them.
• Develop and implement operational plans and strategies based on the company's strategic objectives.
• Oversee daily operations across all facilities, ensuring efficient, safe, and compliant practices.
• Lead, inspire, and motivate operations teams to deliver maximum quality and yield at minimum cost.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and accountability.
• Drive the adoption of technology and automation to enhance efficiency and optimize workflows.
• Review and report regularly on key performance indicators (KPIs), productivity, and progress toward divisional goals.
• Ensure operational structures have clearly defined roles, responsibilities, and performance expectations.
• Collaborate with staff and cross-functional resources to identify and improve inefficient practices.
• Maintain consistent communication with the sales team to align priorities, address risks and customer complaints, and optimize fill rates.
• Ensure adequate protein supply across the division, manage product movement between plants, and initiate purchases as needed.
• Evaluate, authorize, and optimize network allocation, equipment purchases, CAPEX, R&M expenditures, and new product costings.
• Partner with the QA Director and HR Director to ensure food safety, environmental, health & safety, animal welfare, and social audit standards are upheld.
• Maintain strong relationships with suppliers, partners, and vendors.
• Represent the Primary Processing division in discussions with ownership, other divisions, departments, and external partners.
• Provide regular updates to the COO on operational performance and strategic initiatives.
• Influence change in a fast-paced, fluid environment, ensuring alignment with company vision and values.
• Travel frequently and be available at short notice to support operations in BC, Alberta, and Manitoba.

REQUIRED SKILL, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business or a related field.
• 10+ years of senior leadership experience in operations management, preferably in food processing or related industries.
• Proven track record of delivering results, even under challenging conditions.
• Advanced analytical mindset with strong financial and business acumen.
• Deep knowledge of operational functions and integration with HR, Finance, Sales, and Supply Chain.
• Skilled at setting strategy, managing budgets, and interpreting data and KPIs.
• Ability to balance strategic vision with hands-on operational execution.
• Strong leadership presence—able to build trust, mentor, and inspire teams.
• Excellent communication and decision-making skills; able to manage multiple priorities under pressure.
• High level of integrity, accountability, and commitment to company values.

COMPENSATION:

$225,000 – $250,000 annually, plus bonus.

Compensation offered within this range is based on factors unique to each candidate, including skills, qualifications, experience and credentials.

If this position suits your skills and experience, we want to talk to you!

Please apply by submitting your resume and a covering letter outlining why you are a suitable candidate for this exciting role.