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Best Workplaces™ in Retail & Hospitality 2025

Director of Operations - Eastern Canada

Reports to: Senior Director, Operations - Prairies and Eastern Canada

Location: Toronto, Ontario

We are looking for a Director of Operations - Eastern Canada to join our Operations Team in Ontario. This position reports to the Senior Director, Operations - Prairies and Eastern Canada and will be accountable for leading, managing, and driving the performance of the region through the operational teams by coaching Area Managers, driving sales growth, ensuring bakeries are compliant with COBS brand standards, building bakery profitability, implementing COBS strategic plan, and supporting network growth.

If you thrive at the opportunity to inspire and lead the franchise portfolio to grow and achieve their business objectives, we want to hear from you!

Responsibilities include:

• Coaching Area Managers on best approaches for franchisee relationship management to build trust, reach common goals, and influence positive change
• Foster a team culture that aligns with COBS strategic plan
• Be a resources for Area Managers in dealing with the region's day-to-day operational issues
• Coordinate regular team meetings and events that build team culture and collaboration
• Achieve budgeted sales growth for the portfolio
• Work with the Area Managers to develop and achieve a monthly action plan to build customer experience and bakery growth
• Ensure Area Managers meet campaign targets for their portfolio of bakeries
• Demonstrate accurate forecasting of sales and other regional expenses and budgeting annually
• Review MFS monthly and work with the Area Manager team on action plans
• Implement COBS brand standards and work with the Area Managers to support execution at the bakery level
• Work with multiple team members to review and analyze business risks and implement action plans
• Implement COBS strategic plan with effective change management
• Other tasks and projects as assigned

Requirements

What You Bring to the Table:

• A high-energy, positive attitude with the ability to quickly develop trust and meaningful relationships
• Minimum 5+ years in Senior Management Role
• Minimum 5+ years of experience in a similar role; Franchising background preferred

• Degree or Diploma in Business
• Operational understanding of retail sales and small business environment
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Demonstrated experience in building and leading a team
• Highly developed interpersonal, communication, problem solving, and facilitation skills
• Self-motivated and ability to work independently without supervision
• Skilled in analyzing financial results and performance metrics, and translating strategic concepts into actionable plans
• Ability to drive top-line sales and bottom-line profitability
• Ability to develop and execute long-term plans that align with Franchisee success and corporate goals
• Ability to implement new initiatives and drive adoption across network
• Strong conflict resolution and negotiation skills
• Ability to influence others in order to affect change and drive constant improvement

• A good tolerance for multi-tasking and managing competing priorities;

• Excellent communication, problem- solving and conflict resolution skills

Benefits

What’s in it for You:

• Competitive salary and vacation plan
• Both individualized and a company-wide bonus plans
• A great Extended Health & Dental Benefit, Group RRSP Matching and Flexible Spending Account

• Paid sick and personal leave days
• Paid day for community service/volunteer time

• An open, ‘continuous-learning’ environment where professional development and career progression is encouraged

• Work within a dynamic, driven, high-achieving, close-knit and fun-loving team

• High level of autonomy and responsibility

About COBS Bread

With over 180 locations, COBS Bread serves fresh and delightful baked goods to communities across Canada. Any unsold items are donated daily to various local charities and food banks. The company’s success can be attributed to the quality of our product, the development of our people and our warm and friendly customer service.

COBS Bread is part of Bakers Delight – Established in 1980 operating as Bakers Delight in Australia and New Zealand, and since 2003 as COBS Bread in Canada and the USA. Together we have grown to more than 700 bakeries across Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the USA. The entire network employs over 15,000 people, serving more than 2.1 million customers each week.

Our Values:

• Bring Passion and Purpose – Being deeply connected to why we do what we do. Contribute to something meaningful to our team, customers, and community.
• Be Open and Honest – Being clear, respectful, and transparent even when its uncomfortable. Creating a safe space for others to speak up, ask questions, and share ideas constructively.
• Make it Better – Not settling for “good enough”: Always looking for ways to improve the way we work, the experience we offer, or how we grow as individuals and teams. Demonstrating a continuous learning mindset.
• Take Ownership – taking responsibility for outcomes, not just assigned tasks. Being clear on what we are accountable for, owning up to results (good or bad), and following through on commitments.

Accessibility

Accommodation is available upon request for applicants and employees with disabilities. If you are contacted for a job opportunity, please advise us of any accommodations needed to ensure you have access to a fair and equitable process. Any information received relating to accommodation will be addressed confidentially.

We thank all applicants for their interest in COBS Bread but would like to advise that only applicants shortlisted for interview will be contacted.