Position: Networks Operations Lead – Grote Networks
Reports To: Director of Operations
Department: Administrative
Location: Grote Electronics, Waterloo, Ontario
Company Overview
GROTE ELECTRONICS is a leading manufacturer of vehicle lighting and safety systems. We are committed to delivering exceptional quality and value to our customers—both internal and external. We value teamwork, clear communication of quality objectives, and hands-on engagement in improving our processes. Success is driven by individuals who actively apply Kaizen thinking, lead improvement efforts, and help advance operational excellence across the organization.
Position Summary
The Networks Operations Lead is a critical cross-functional role within Grote Networks, the advanced technologies and telematics division of Grote Industries. This individual serves as the single point of operational contact between the Grote Networks commercial, engineering and leadership team and the Grote manufacturing facilities located in Canada, the United States, and Mexico.
Based primarily at Grote Electronics in Waterloo, Canada, this role is responsible for ensuring seamless execution of Grote Networks product programs across all manufacturing sites. The Networks Operations Lead will manage the coordination of new product introductions and project implementations across plants, partner with each facility's quality team to uphold product standards and serve as a key member of the Grote Networks leadership team.
This position carries a dual reporting structure: administratively reporting to the Director of Operations at Grote Electronics, while receiving day-to-day work directions from the VP & GM of Grote Networks. The incumbent must be adept at navigating a matrixed organization, building strong relationships across geographies and functions, and operating with the discipline and communication rigor that multi-site coordination demands.
Responsibilities
Cross-Facility Operational Coordination
- Serve as the single point of contact for the Grote Networks team on all operational matters involving the Canada, US, and Mexico manufacturing facilities
- Build and maintain strong working relationships with plant operations leaders, production supervisors, and functional managers at all three facilities
- Coordinate day-to-day operational activities between the Grote Networks team and plant-level stakeholders to ensure alignment on priorities, timelines, and deliverables
- Proactively identify and resolve operational bottlenecks, capacity constraints, or scheduling conflicts that could impact Grote Networks program delivery
- Develop and maintain a structured communication cadence across facilities to keep all stakeholders informed and aligned
New Project & Program Implementation
- Lead the operational coordination of new Grote Networks product introductions and program launches across all manufacturing sites
- Partner with engineering, product, and commercial teams to translate go-to-market requirements into plant-level implementation plans with clear owners, timelines, and milestones
- Track and report on implementation progress across facilities, escalating risks or delays to the Grote Networks leadership team as needed
- Facilitate cross-plant alignment meetings and working sessions to ensure consistent understanding and execution of new program requirements
- Develop and maintain standardized implementation playbooks and process documentation to support repeatable, scalable program launches
Quality Assurance & Product Standards
- Act as the Grote Networks liaison to the quality teams at each manufacturing facility, ensuring product quality standards are understood, implemented, and maintained
- Monitor and track quality KPIs across plants; surface trends and drive corrective action in partnership with facility quality managers
- Coordinate cross-facility quality reviews and audits as needed to validate compliance with Grote Networks product specifications
- Partner with engineering and product teams to communicate engineering change orders (ECOs), specification updates, and quality improvement initiatives to plant-level teams
- Ensure that customer-facing quality commitments made by the Grote Networks commercial team are operationally supported and achievable at the plant level
Grote Networks Leadership Team Participation
- Serve as a standing member of the Grote Networks leadership team, representing the operational perspective in commercial and strategic planning discussions
- Provide regular operational updates, risk assessments, and capacity outlooks to the VP & GM of Grote Networks
- Contribute to the development of Grote Networks' operational strategy, including manufacturing readiness plans, supplier coordination, and capacity planning for new products
- Act as the internal voice of manufacturing, translating operational realities into actionable guidance for the commercial team on program timelines, product availability, and feasibility
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with engineering, supply chain, and logistics teams to coordinate material flow, component availability, and production scheduling across facilities
- Collaborate with the Grote Networks commercial team to support customer delivery commitments, manage escalations, and provide visibility into operational status
- Support continuous improvement initiatives across facilities that enhance efficiency, quality, or throughput for Grote Networks products
- Travel periodically to the US and Mexico manufacturing facilities to support project launches, quality reviews, and relationship-building with plant teams
Key Characteristics for Success
- Strong cross-functional communicator who can bridge the gap between commercial priorities and manufacturing realities
- Highly organized and process-oriented; comfortable managing multiple programs and stakeholders simultaneously across geographies
- Collaborative and relationship-driven; able to build trust and credibility quickly with plant-level teams across different cultural and organizational contexts
- Proactive problem-solver who identifies issues before they become escalations and drives resolution with minimal oversight
- Comfortable operating in a matrixed reporting structure, taking strategic direction from the Grote Networks VP & GM while maintaining a strong working relationship with the Grote Electronics plant lead
- Entrepreneurial mindset; able to build structure and process in an evolving, growth-oriented business environment
Qualifications
Degree or Equivalent Experience
Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, or a related field required. Advanced degree or professional certifications in operations/project management are a plus but not required.
Years of Experience
- 7+ years of experience in manufacturing operations, program management, or cross-functional coordination roles within an industrial or technology manufacturing environment
- Demonstrated experience managing programs or projects across multiple manufacturing sites or geographies
- Track record of successful new product introductions or program launches in a manufacturing context
- Experience working in or closely with quality management systems and teams
- 3+ years experience in high volume SMT/PCBA manufacturing
Industry & Domain Experience
- Background in electronics, automotive, commercial vehicle, industrial technology, or adjacent manufacturing industries preferred
- Familiarity with telematics hardware, embedded electronics, or connected vehicle products is a strong asset
- Experience navigating multi-site, multi-country manufacturing environments
- Cross-cultural communication experience (Canada, US, and Mexico operating context)
Training & Tools
- Proficiency in project management methodologies and tools (e.g., MS Project, Smartsheet, or equivalent)
- Experience with quality management systems (ISO 9001 or equivalent) and quality tools (8D, FMEA, PPAP, etc.)
- Competency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams for reporting, presentations, and cross-facility communication
- Familiarity with ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, or equivalent) preferred
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Knowledge In
- Multi-site manufacturing operations and cross-facility program coordination
- New product introduction (NPI) and program launch processes in a manufacturing environment
- Quality management systems, standards, and tools in a manufacturing or electronics context
- Supply chain coordination and manufacturing planning fundamentals
Skills In
- Cross-functional communication and stakeholder management across operations, engineering, quality, and commercial teams
- Program and project management — planning, tracking, risk identification, and escalation management
- Developing and maintaining process documentation, playbooks, and operational reporting
- Building effective working relationships across geographically distributed and culturally diverse teams
Demonstrated Ability To
- Coordinate complex, multi-site programs with multiple stakeholders and competing priorities
- Identify operational risks and drive resolution before they impact commercial commitments
- Operate effectively in a matrixed organization with dual reporting lines and multiple sets of stakeholders
- Build trust and credibility quickly with plant-level operations and quality teams
- Translate commercial priorities into actionable operational plans and communicate manufacturing realities back to commercial leadership
Experience With
- Liaising between commercial/product teams and manufacturing operations in a fast-moving business environment
- Managing quality escalations and corrective action processes across multiple production sites
- Cross-border operations involving Canadian, US, and Mexican manufacturing facilities
- Supporting or leading continuous improvement initiatives in a manufacturing environment
Travel
This role is based at the Grote Electronics manufacturing facility in Waterloo, Canada. The Networks Operations Lead will spend the majority of their time on-site in Canada, with periodic travel required to Grote's US and Mexico manufacturing facilities to support project launches, quality reviews, and cross-facility alignment. Travel frequency will vary based on program activity but is expected to be manageable and planned in advance.
Compliance Statement
Grote Electronics complies with the Ontario Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) and all applicable employment laws. We are also committed to upholding the Ontario Human Rights Code, ensuring a workplace and recruitment process that is free from discrimination and barriers.
Job Type: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: $90,000-120,000 per year
Benefits:
- Dental care
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- RRSP match
- Vision care
Work Location: In person
