Position: Networks Operations Lead – Grote NetworksReports To: Director of OperationsDepartment: AdministrativeLocation: 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 in office 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

📌 GEC - Networks Operations Manager (Waterloo)
🏢 Grote
📍 Waterloo