Shop Operations Manager

Impossible Metals Canada is looking for an experienced, hands-on Shop Operations Manager to own the day-to-day operation of our Collingwood shop and engineering facility. Reporting to the Director of Operations, this role ensures our Engineering and field teams have the materials, equipment, systems, logistics, and safe working environment they need to build, test, and deploy our robotic systems. This is an execution-focused role spanning inventory, purchasing, shipping, shop safety, equipment readiness, field technician management, and deployment logistics.

Unlike production shops, we are in the R&D phase of our project and as such it is in many cases most efficient for us to operate with few standard operating procedures and with reduced structure so that we focus on testing, learning and iterating quickly. Your management of and work within this critical space for the company is to ensure that the rapid pace of R&D development that we need as a business is achieved.

We're looking for someone from a manufacturing, industrial, fabrication, marine, robotics, or similar technical environment who is comfortable moving between hands-on shop work and operational systems. You'll be expected to solve practical problems, build processes that scale, and keep the shop ready for fast-moving engineering and deployment work.

What you’ll own

• The day-to-day operation, organization, and 6S readiness of the Collingwood shop and engineering facility, including the health and safety program, workplace inspections, training records, PPE, SDS documentation, incident reporting, and practical shop standards.
• Receiving and inventory control: verify incoming shipments for quantity, condition, and accuracy; resolve discrepancies; enter materials into Odoo; maintain inventory accuracy through periodic counts; and keep appropriate levels of shop and engineering consumables on hand.
• Create purchase orders on behalf of Engineering in Odoo and help maintain disciplined, scalable purchasing and inventory workflows as the company grows.
• Inbound and outbound shipping logistics, including courier and freight coordination, packing, tracking, shipping documentation, and customs support, and resolve delivery, quality, invoicing, or other operational issues with vendors.
• The safe use and operational readiness of shared tools and equipment, including the overhead crane and lifting equipment, and maintain appropriate inspection, maintenance, calibration, and certification schedules.
• Coordinate repairs and preventative maintenance for company-owned vehicles and work with the Office & Operations Coordinator on facility, contractor, and operational tasks that span both the office and shop areas.
• Logistics for local deployments, including staging, transportation, equipment, spares, tools, and consumables, and support the Marine Operations team with freight, mobilization, inventory, and other logistics for ocean deployments.
• Manage Field Technicians day to day, including scheduling, workload, readiness, safety, expectations, and performance, while coordinating technical priorities and direction with Engineering.
  

What does success look like?

By the end of your first six months, we’ll know we made the right hire because:

1. Inventory and purchasing are under control - Receiving, purchase orders, and inventory transactions are happening consistently in Odoo; stock levels are reliable; and Engineering can quickly determine what is on hand, what is ordered, and what is missing.
2. The shop is safe, organized, and ready to work - Core health and safety processes are active, required training and records are current, tools and lifting equipment are maintained appropriately, and the physical shop supports efficient work.
3. Deployments and field support run predictably - Local deployments are properly prepared, Marine Operations receives reliable logistics support, and Field Technicians have clear priorities, the right materials and equipment, and consistent operational leadership.

What we’re looking for

• 5+ years of relevant experience in shop operations, manufacturing, fabrication, technical operations, field operations, industrial operations, marine operations, or a similar hands-on environment.
• Demonstrated experience with ERP, inventory, purchasing, and receiving systems, including improving processes as inventory volumes and operational complexity scale; experience with Odoo is an asset.
• Demonstrated experience managing and developing technicians or other hands-on technical staff, including setting priorities, providing day-to-day guidance, giving constructive feedback, and supporting employee growth and accountability.
• Strong working knowledge of occupational health and safety in an industrial or technical shop environment, supported by relevant formal health and safety training or certification, and the ability to own a practical workplace safety program.
• Strong mechanical and electrical aptitude, including basic electrical troubleshooting, the ability to read basic schematics, and comfort using diagnostic equipment such as a multimeter and oscilloscope.
• Experience working safely with tools, machinery, lifting equipment, and overhead cranes, with sound judgment about inspection, maintenance, training, and when work should be escalated to a qualified trade or specialist.
• Experience supervising or managing technicians, tradespeople, field staff, or other hands-on technical employees.
• Strong vendor, shipping, and logistics problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage inbound and outbound freight, resolve discrepancies, and keep multiple operational priorities moving at once.
• Clear communication and strong organizational skills, with the ability to collaborate across Engineering, Operations, Marine Operations, and leadership. This is a full-time, on-site role in Collingwood and requires a valid driver's licence and the ability to support local field activities as needed.

Nice to have

• Hands-on experience with Odoo or another ERP implementation, including purchasing, inventory, receiving, or materials-management workflows.
• Experience in robotics, marine or subsea systems, industrial automation, automotive, aerospace, heavy equipment, fabrication, or complex electromechanical systems.
• Experience with international freight, customs documentation, temporary imports/exports, carnets, or shipping regulated materials.
• Formal training or certification in overhead crane operation, rigging, forklift/material handling, or related industrial equipment.
• Ontario JHSC certification, First Aid certification, or other relevant occupational health and safety credentials.
• Experience working in a small, high-growth technology company or supporting field work in remote, offshore, marine, or other challenging environments.

Why join us

You'll have real ownership over the systems and physical environment that enable our engineers and field teams to build, test, and deploy complex robotic equipment. As Impossible Metals Canada scales, this role will help shape how inventory, purchasing, safety, shipping, shop operations, and deployment readiness work - with a direct impact on the speed, reliability, and performance of our robotic systems.

Top perks and benefits

• Stock options in this early-stage company
• 4 weeks of vacation
• Flexible hours
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• RRSP matching