The Challenge
A major Halifax-based seafood processing company operating multiple facilities across Nova Scotia and New Brunswick faced an existential operational challenge: a severe and worsening labor shortage that threatened their ability to process catch during critical fishing seasons. The organization urgently needed a Vice President of Operations who could implement automation solutions to reduce labor dependency while maintaining the product quality standards demanded by premium export markets in Asia and Europe. The ideal candidate required deep experience in food processing operations, particularly in high-volume environments with perishable inputs; proven expertise in manufacturing automation and robotics implementation; familiarity with the unique regulatory environment governing seafood processing including CFIA and export certification requirements; and understanding of Atlantic Canada’s distinct labor market dynamics including seasonal workforce patterns and immigration programs. The role was particularly challenging because automation in seafood processing remains less developed than in other food sectors due to the variable nature of the raw material, requiring someone with both technical knowledge and creative problem-solving capability. The company’s remote coastal locations added complexity, as the facilities were not easily accessible to candidates accustomed to urban manufacturing environments.
The Solution
Lock Search Group’s Halifax and Moncton offices led a coordinated search that combined deep regional expertise with access to automation talent beyond Atlantic Canada. Our strategy acknowledged that the ideal candidate might not currently be in the seafood industry, so we extended our search to adjacent food processing sectors including poultry, meat, and produce where automation had progressed further. We also targeted manufacturing operations leaders from non-food industries with relevant automation experience who might be attracted to the Atlantic Canada quality of life proposition. Regional knowledge proved essential: our Atlantic Canada team identified candidates who had prior experience working in remote or coastal industrial environments and demonstrated comfort with the lifestyle trade-offs involved. We developed an assessment approach that evaluated both technical automation expertise and cultural fit with Atlantic Canada’s distinct business environment. This included scenario-based interviews exploring how candidates would approach automation decisions given the variable nature of seafood processing, as well as discussions about their motivation for relocating to or remaining in Atlantic Canada. We arranged site visits for finalist candidates to ensure they understood the operational realities of coastal processing facilities before accepting offers.
The Outcome
The targeted search identified 29 candidates from seafood, adjacent food processing, and broader manufacturing backgrounds. Through our comprehensive assessment process including technical automation evaluations and cultural fit discussions, we presented four finalists to the client’s executive team. The successful placement was a former Plant Manager from a New Brunswick poultry processing facility who had led a significant automation initiative reducing labor requirements by 35% while improving throughput and yield. Though not from seafood, his experience with high-speed processing of variable biological inputs translated directly, and his Atlantic Canada roots meant he was already committed to the region. His familiarity with regional workforce programs including provincial nominee immigration pathways proved immediately valuable. Within his first year, he implemented automated sorting and grading systems at two facilities, developed a strategic automation roadmap prioritized by labor savings and technical feasibility, and reduced seasonal labor requirements by 20% while maintaining quality certifications for all export markets. The placement demonstrated Lock Search Group’s ability to leverage regional expertise and creative candidate sourcing to solve critical operational challenges in Atlantic Canada’s resource-based industries.