General Manager

General Manager – Alinova Canada Inc.

Location: Morrisburg, Ontario

Reports to
: Executive and Technical Leadership Team

Company Overview

Alinova Canada is a privately held company dedicated to revitalizing local industry and supporting meaningful employment across Eastern Ontario. Alinova is a joint venture between David Hendrick (DJHII), founder of Sevita International, and Marusan AI, the second largest soymilk producer in Japan. With the launch of a newly retrofitted plant in Morrisburg, Alinova is poised to manufacture high-quality Canadian soy products with a strong commitment to operational excellence, sustainability, and cross-cultural collaboration with our global team.

Alinova Canada Inc. is committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in our workplace. As part of our economic reconciliation efforts, we actively encourage applications from Indigenous candidates for all positions. We value the unique perspectives and contributions of Indigenous peoples and aim to create opportunities that support growth, development, and meaningful participation in our team in Morrisburg, Ontario.

Position Summary

We are seeking a hands-on, agile, and entrepreneurial General Manager (GM) to lead our Canadian operations. This role requires someone who thrives in a startup environment, is not afraid to roll up their sleeves, and can establish and nurture a high-performing team while setting the strategic and operational direction of the Morrisburg facility. The GM will also be the primary operational liaison with our colleagues in Japan, requiring a deep respect and sensitivity for cultural differences and global business etiquette. This role requires an individual who is willing to first listen and learn from both the Japanese technical leadership and the Canadian corporate lead, incorporate their own knowledge and experience to build a team and a comprehensive performance strategy for future success.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

• Oversee all daily operations of the Morrisburg facility including production, quality control, safety, maintenance, and logistics.
• Drive the facility startup phase, including operational commissioning, workforce recruitment and training.
• Ensure compliance with local regulations, health & safety standards, and environmental policies.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to ensure operational efficiency and continuous improvement.

Team Development & Leadership

• Build, inspire, and lead a cross-functional team committed to excellence, accountability, and shared success.
• Foster a culture of open communication, continuous learning, and mutual respect.
• Provide hands-on coaching and development for staff at all levels.

Strategic Execution

• Work closely with executive leadership in Canada and Japan to align local activities with global objectives.
• Contribute to the development and execution of business plans, budgets, and forecasts.
• Identify and pursue opportunities for growth, innovation, and cost optimization.

Cross-Cultural & Global Collaboration

• Serve as the primary operational Canadian liaison to Canadian and Japanese leadership and colleagues.
• Demonstrate cultural awareness, humility, and sensitivity in all interactions with the Japan-based team.
• Facilitate effective communication and understanding across time zones, languages, and business practices.

Community Engagement

• Represent Alinova Canada within the Eastern Ontario community, supporting local employment initiatives and regional development goals.
• Build relationships with municipal leaders, local suppliers, and community stakeholders.

Agility & Flexibility

• Take on additional responsibilities as needed in a dynamic and evolving environment.
• Adapt quickly to change and be prepared to address challenges beyond the traditional scope of a GM role.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of leadership experience in manufacturing or industrial operations, with a strong preference for greenfield or plant startup experience.
• Proven track record of managing teams, budgets, and complex operations.
• Experience working in or with Japanese companies or a demonstrated understanding of Japanese business culture is highly desirable.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to lead both strategic initiatives and tactical execution.
• Bilingual (English/French) is an asset; Japanese language skills are a plus.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business Administration, or related field; advanced degree is an asset.
• Willingness to be on-site in Morrisburg and lead by example.

What Alinova Offers

• The opportunity to build and lead a new facility from the ground up.
• A role where no two days are the same — you'll be in the trenches, not behind glass walls.
• The chance to work with a purpose-driven company committed to regional growth and cross-cultural collaboration.
• A supportive leadership team with a global vision and a local heart.