Overview
Head of Operations Jobs in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada at Urban Solar
Title: Head of Operations
Company: Urban Solar
Location: Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Join Urban Solar
Urban Solar is the leading manufacturer of standalone solar energy systems and e-paper displays for bus stops in North America. Based in Victoria, BC, we are passionate about enhancing public safety, accessibility, and transit efficiency through innovative off-grid solutions.
Urban Solar was recently named the UVic Co-op and Career New Employer of the Year.
Urban Solar is transitioning from a contract manufacturing model to an in-house assembly operation in Bellingham, WA. This role will lead the operational maturity and scalability of this new facility.
We’re looking for an experienced operations professional who is comfortable managing both production and procurement teams in complex and fast-moving environments to lead these functions at Urban Solar during our next phase of growth.
Are you an operations leader who is equally comfortable mentoring your team and managing supplier relationships? Do you enjoy working as part of a tight-knit leadership team where “iron sharpens iron” and where both candid feedback and appreciation are shared frequently? Are you comfortable working with an ERP system, implementing process improvements, and leveraging the latest AI tools to maximize the impact of your role? Are you passionate about the opportunity to support public transit agencies and help them improve their customer experience through off-grid amenities? If so, this is the opportunity for you.
At Urban Solar, your work directly shapes public infrastructure at thousands of bus stops across North America. Our systems power safer bus stops, deliver real-time passenger information, and operate reliably in tough urban environments.
You’ll join a high-performance team that values clarity, ownership, and execution. We move quickly, think strategically, and hold ourselves to a high standard.
Key Responsibilities
Production Management
- Lead and optimize production activities at Urban Solar’s Bellingham assembly/warehousing facility
- Establish production planning processes to ensure on-time, accurate order fulfillment
- Develop KPIs related to throughput, quality, rework rates, and lead time
- Work closely with Engineering to ensure manufacturability and smooth product transitions
- Implement and refine SOPs to ensure consistency, safety, and efficiency
- Monitor capacity planning and workforce utilization to align with sales forecasts
- Identify and implement process improvements to increase efficiency and reduce cost
- Ensure compliance with Buy America, UL and related contractual requirements
- Ensure quality standards are maintained and continuously improved through structured root cause analysis and corrective action processes
Procurement and Sourcing
- Own supplier strategy across domestic and international vendors
- Negotiate pricing, lead times, and contractual terms to optimize cost and cash flow
- Build redundancy and risk mitigation into the supply chain
- Monitor supplier performance and establish structured scorecards
- Collaborate with Engineering on component selection and value engineering
- Oversee inventory planning to balance working capital with service levels
- Implement structured procurement processes within ERP
- Identify opportunities for cost reduction without compromising quality
- Develop multi-year supplier partnerships aligned with Urban Solar’s growth trajectory
Key Benefits
- Competitive salary commensurate with experience (Projected range of $110,000 – $140,000 per year. Exceptional candidates who exceed our requirements are encouraged to discuss compensation expectations.)
- Annual profit-sharing bonuses
- Four weeks annual vacation
- Comprehensive medical and dental benefits
- Bi-weekly Flex Fridays
- $500 CAD annual health and fitness credit
- $1,000 CAD annual education credit
- Public transit/active commuting reimbursement
- High-quality snacks, coffee, and teas
- ·Team building events and meals
Location
This role will be in-person at our office located in Victoria, BC. Commuting to our assembly facility in Bellingham, WA as needed to perform training (up to ~2x per week to begin with) is also a requirement of the role (mileage reimbursement and per diem provided). After the conclusion of the probationary period, hybrid work arrangements can be arranged at the discretion of the President and CEO. Full-time remote work is not available for this position.
What You'll Be Doing
Reporting to the President and CEO, you will form part of Urban Solar’s leadership team alongside the Head of Engineering and Head of Sales and Project Implementation. You will manage a team of production and procurement professionals to ensure that all orders are delivered in a timely and accurate manner. You will manage key supplier and partner relationships. You will own the operational strategy for Urban Solar as we scale our in-house manufacturing capability. You will ultimately be accountable for on-time order fulfillment, order accuracy, gross margin performance, and operational scalability.
What We're Looking For
- 8+ years of experience in operations, manufacturing, or supply chain leadership within a product-based organization
- Degree or diploma in operations management, business, engineering, or a related discipline
- Demonstrated experience managing production and procurement functions
- Experience implementing or optimizing ERP systems and operational processes
- Strong understanding of inventory management, cost control, and working capital management
- Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing teams
- Proven ability to move an organization from reactive to process-driven operations
- High emotional intelligence and ability to give and receive candid feedback
- Comfortable operating with ambiguity while building structured systems and accountability
- Legally authorized to work in Canada and able to travel to the United States as required
Skills That Make you Stand Out
- Experience transitioning from contract manufacturing to in-house production
- Experience scaling manufacturing in a growth-stage company
- Lean manufacturing or Six Sigma training
- Experience negotiating international supplier agreements
- Experience with ISO and/or NRTL (UL, CSA, etc.) certification processes
- Familiarity with cross-border logistics (Canada/US/Asia/Europe)
- Experience in electronics, renewable energy, or infrastructure industries
- Strong financial literacy and ability to connect operational decisions to margin outcomes
- Experience using AI tools to improve forecasting, procurement analysis, or process documentation
- Experience leading through operational change or organizational restructuring
How to Apply
If you’re excited to build and scale the operational systems behind thousands of solar-powered transit amenities across North America, we’d love to hear from you.
Submit your resume and cover letter to [email protected]. Shortlisted applicants may be asked for references from individuals they have directly managed. Applications submitted through other channels will not be considered.
As an equal opportunity employer, Urban Solar celebrates diversity and welcomes applications from Indigenous persons, people of colour, individuals with disabilities, and those of diverse genders and sexual orientations. We strive to create a safe, inclusive, and supportive workplace that values innovation, creativity, and community impact.
