Operations Director - Deschambault

Shape Your World

At Alcoa, you will become an essential part of our purpose: to turn raw potential into real progress. The way we see it, every Alcoan is a work-shaper, team-shaper, idea-shaper & world-shaper.

Shape your world by leading secure, reliable, and high-performing operations at our Deschambault plant. As the Operations Director, you will establish the plant's direction, support sector managers and operational teams, and contribute to achieving production goals while enhancing safety, quality, reliability, cost performance, and stakeholder trust.

Located between Quebec City and Trois-Rivières, the Deschambault aluminum smelter employs over 500 people and is the largest employer in the Portneuf region. The plant operates in a non-unionized environment where collaboration, teamwork, and mutual assistance are at the core of the work culture.

About the Position

You will provide strategic leadership and operational management of the plant, with responsibility for short-term delivery and medium- to long-term operational strategy. You will lead operations through sector managers and collaborate closely with internal functions, centers of excellence, and external stakeholders to support safe, compliant, efficient, and reliable production. You will oversee a team of 10 people, including operational and functional leaders.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead plant operations to achieve production goals safely and efficiently, in compliance with quality requirements, customer expectations, regulatory requirements, and applicable permits.
• Define and implement the site's short-, medium-, and long-term operational strategy, aligning plant priorities with Alcoa's strategic and operational objectives.
• Promote health, safety, and environmental performance by reinforcing EHS standards, human performance practices, and critical controls across all operations.
• Drive continuous improvement through the Alcoa Business System (ABS), including production process reviews, operational excellence practices, and support from relevant centers of excellence.
• Enhance reliability, asset utilization, and cost performance by identifying opportunities, managing risks, and applying appropriate solutions in manufacturing, maintenance, and reliability.
• Develop leadership and succession capabilities by mentoring sector managers, supporting talent development, and fostering a secure, inclusive, and collaborative work environment.

What You Bring to the Role

• University degree in engineering, an asset.
• At least ten years of experience in operational leadership within the heavy industry, manufacturing, mining, or similar plant environment, with the ability to lead large teams and deliver operational excellence.
• Strong orientation in health, safety, and environment, including experience in implementing safe work practices, managing operational risks, and reinforcing compliance with EHS standards.
• Strategic and analytical thinking, with experience in developing operational plans, setting priorities, and balancing short-term delivery with long-term site performance.
• Business and financial acumen, including the ability to identify cost-saving opportunities, manage risks, and support decisions that improve efficiency and reliability.
• Strong continuous improvement skills, including an understanding of Lean principles, project management, and improvement systems like the Alcoa Business System.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement, and team leadership skills, with the ability to influence across functions, work with internal and external stakeholders, and mobilize teams through change.

What We Offer

To support you and your family beyond work, Alcoa offers an exceptional set of social benefits starting on your first day of employment. In addition to medical benefits, we offer resource groups, retirement plan options, and a top-tier vacation plan for a better work-life balance.

This is an opportunity to lead one of Alcoa's most important operational assets and influence the future of a world-class aluminum smelter. You will be part of a collaborative leadership team, working with local and global experts to deliver secure, reliable, and sustainable performance while developing the next generation of operational leaders.

In this job posting, the masculine is used to lighten the text.

About the Location

At the Alcoa Deschambault Aluminerie, there is an agile, diverse team that evolves and develops in an environment where mutual assistance and teamwork are in the spotlight. Located 40 minutes from Quebec City and Trois-Rivières, the aluminum smelter is the largest employer in the Portneuf region and is recognized for its unique management style and advantageous working conditions. Bordered by the majestic St. Lawrence River, the region offers spectacular scenery and a fair balance between rural and urban life.

We are values led, vision driven and united by our purpose of transforming raw potential into real progress. Our commitments to Inclusion, Diversity & Equity include providing trusting workplaces that are safe, respectful and inclusive of all individuals, free from discrimination, bullying and harassment and that our workplaces reflect the diversity of the communities in which we operate.

This is a place where you are empowered to do your best work, be your authentic self, and feel a true sense of belonging. Come join us and shape your career!

Your work. Your world. Shape them for the better.