About Walker Industries
Walker is a fifth-generation family-owned business, founded in 1887, with approximately 1,200 employees working across North America.
Throughout its history, the company has remained committed to doing the right thing for employees, customers, the environment, and the communities it is proud to call home.
Walker’s vision is to build a sustainable future, together. That means working with neighbours, customers, regulatory authorities, and, of course, employees to safely build and service communities across Canada and the U.S., while investing in their health, education, and cultural well-being.
The Walker group of companies has evolved over the years through a commitment to innovation.
Transforming problems into opportunities has enabled Walker to move beyond its humble beginnings as a single-cut stone quarry in 1887 into the complex, multi-divisional, solutions-based company it is today.
Its three operating divisions – Environmental, Aggregates and Construction, and Emulsions – offer high-performance products and services across a wide range of industries.
Environmental
Walker’s environmental division, spanning across Canada, provides critical services and infrastructure for communities to recover resources, manage waste, and generate renewable energy, all of which contribute to a circular economy.
Walker is a Canadian leader in the recovery of organic waste.
The Company turns leaf, yard, and food waste into sustainable soils and mulches, biosolids into fertilizers, wood waste into a wide array of products, and turns grease trap waste into renewable energy and soil amendments.
Walker provides a full range of trucking, transfer and disposal services in Southern Ontario and generates over 1.5M GJ of clean biogas energy.
Aggregates and Construction
Walker supports the infrastructure of Ontario through the supply of aggregates, construction materials and construction services.
It is the largest independent aggregate producer in Ontario, offering a full range of aggregate products, with locations in Niagara, Essex, Simcoe, Grey, and Bruce counties.
The company provides construction materials and services across Ontario through its Walker Construction subsidiary with locations in Niagara Falls and Owen Sound.
Emulsions
Using advanced chemistries and technologies, Walker’s emulsion division creates innovative, sustainable wax, oil, bio-based, and asphalt emulsions used across a variety of industries.
The emulsions division services both Canadian and U.S. markets from its operating locations in Ontario, South Carolina, and Oregon.
Walker is committed to contributing to the social, economic, and environmental well-being of each of its communities.
Embracing its role as a good neighbour, Walker actively builds and nurtures strong partnerships to support environmental, health, cultural, and educational initiatives that are important to its communities and the employees who live there.
About the Role
The Business Operations Manager, All Treat Farms, is a key leadership role responsible for the commercial and operational success of the business unit.
Reporting directly to the Senior Director, Operations, Environmental, this position is a member of the Senior Management Team and provides strategic direction, drives revenue growth, and ensures operational excellence.
The role has profit-and-loss (P&L) accountability and involves developing and executing strategies that enhance operational efficiency and support sustainable business growth.
The Business Operations Manager leads efforts to streamline operations, implement best practices, and foster a culture of continuous improvement across operations, customer service, and maintenance.
Additionally, the Business Operations Manager ensures that health and safety, environmental, and quality standards align with the company’s vision for sustainable growth.
Acting as a player/coach, this leader will engage with internal teams, customers, suppliers, and community stakeholders to support the long-term success of All Treat Farms.
Key Responsibilities
Strategy and Growth:
- Work with the leadership team to set clear business goals and create a plan to achieve them.
- Work with the sales team to identify viable market opportunities that align with Walker’s strengths to drive growth and profitability.
- Ensure All Treat Farms’ strategy supports Walker’s long-term vision of “Building a Sustainable Future, Together.”
- Build strong relationships with customers, government agencies, industry groups, and local community partners to support business growth and a positive company reputation.
- Work with sales to explore and develop new business opportunities, including product expansion and service improvements.
Operational Excellence:
- Develop and improve processes, systems, and technology to enhance efficiency in customer service, site operations, billing, procurement, and financial planning.
- Simplify operations where possible and ensure decision-making is agile and effective.
- Take a hands-on approach to major projects, including site environmental projects, to ensure smooth transitions.
- Monitor financial performance, analyze key data, and adjust business strategies as needed.
- Oversee budgeting and capital investments to keep the business running efficiently and profitably.
- Collaborate with site operations managers to ensure work meets quality, budget, and timeline expectations.
- Ensure compliance with health and safety, labour, and environmental regulations.
Leadership and Team Development:
- Build and lead a high-performing management team, ensuring they are engaged, skilled, and aligned with business goals.
- Provide coaching and mentorship to develop future leaders and maintain strong team performance.
- Delegate responsibilities effectively while staying accountable for overall results.
- Create a positive and collaborative team culture, ensuring employees have the tools, training, and support needed to succeed.
- Lead by example, fostering a company culture that reflects Walker’s values and priorities.
Industry and Market Awareness:
- Stay informed about industry trends, competitors, and regulatory changes to keep the business competitive.
- Represent the company at industry events, conferences, and associations to stay connected and identify new opportunities.
- Build relationships with community leaders, municipalities, and policymakers to strengthen Walker’s reputation and business partnerships.
Key Priorities and Deliverables (6-18 Months)
- Listens to and learns Walker’s business and work culture. Strengthens internal relationships and builds trust with the Arthur site leadership and the broader Senior Management team.
- Acquires a thorough understanding of the All Treat Farms business and broader soil and mulch market, at all levels, inside and outside the company: gains understanding of key roles at the Arthur site and works alongside our Gro-Bark business unit, visits other Resource Recovery sites and builds an impact and urgency matrix so that resources are focused on successful execution of the main priorities.
- Understands the financial planning process and deliverables, and what leading activities are to be executed to deliver the budget. Establishes an enterprise operating process that keeps the organization on track.
- Establishes positive connections and communication with all employees of the Arthur team and finds ways to develop their skills. Builds an environment of trust with community stakeholders.
- Analyzes the current strategic plan and builds own beliefs, understanding market conditions currently impacting the business and challenges to site operations.
Qualifications
The successful candidate will be a proven leader with experience in business growth, team leadership, and excellence in business operations, preferably in industries such as construction, waste management or manufacturing.
They will have a track record of developing high-performance teams, executing strategic initiatives, and driving operational efficiencies and improvements in assigned business units.
This role requires strong business acumen, stakeholder management skills, and the ability to navigate a dynamic market environment.
Background, Experience, and Accomplishments:
- A university or college degree/diploma with a focus on business or a related discipline, or a combination of relevant education and experience.
- Experience with Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement process implementation, and management and quality management systems.
- Proven track record of plant operations, environmental or construction management.
- Community-minded and has experience serving as a volunteer on a non-profit board or similar.
- A high awareness of safety practices and environmental issues.
- Experience working in a family-owned, entrepreneurial and/or privately held enterprise.
- Expertise in managing and tracking projects and budgets.
Attributes, Skills, and Personal Values:
- High level of interpersonal skills, highly collaborative, and team focused.
- Known for being highly resilient and self-motivated, with a strong work ethic.
- Recognized for being highly ethical and accountable, with a strong sense of urgency balanced with a patient, considered, and calm style.
- Embodies a humble, no ego approach with high personal integrity and respect for all.
- Ability to remove barriers and resolve cross-departmental challenges.
- Advanced communication abilities, including listening, report writing, and presentation preparation.
- Outstanding organizational and project management skills.
Why Join Walker
- Walker is an extremely successful and growing family-owned company.
- The Executive/Senior Management members have created a very humble and non-bureaucratic culture that is performance-driven without the “sharp elbows” often associated with large multinationals. It is an “all for one, one for all” culture with an open-door policy. Egos are left at the door. The leadership philosophy is servant leadership.
- Walker has moved to a hybrid model that requires a minimum of 3 days a week in the office. This role will require a strong on-site presence, Monday-Friday.
How to Apply
To express interest in this exciting opportunity, email your cover letter and resume to:
Marty Greenaway, Search Consultant
E: mgreenaway@feldmandaxon.com