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Jennifer McGill
Port Hope,Canada
Summary
Transformational executive with 25 years in global building product manufacturing. Specializes in driving growth and leading organizational change for diverse companies. Expert in developing strategic plans and enhancing operational performance to elevate enterprise value.
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
6
6
years of post-secondary education
Work History
PRESIDENT
AMBICO Limited
01.2024 - 05.2026
- Developed and executed five-year strategic growth plan aligned with market capabilities and investment priorities.
- Repositioned Ambico to strategically target growth markets in defense, data center, energy, and infrastructure sectors, aligning offerings with market demands.
- Led transformation of 70-year-old family-owned specialty door manufacturer, enhancing long-term growth potential.
- Implemented stage-gate innovation model, enhancing disciplined, customer-driven product development process and improving project outcomes.
- Launched multiple high-performance products meeting acoustic safety and climate resilience standards.
- Strengthened operational leadership by recruiting plant manager, safety manager, and quality manager, driving enhanced performance across key operational areas.
- Redesigned plant flow and introduced visual management techniques to enhance productivity.
- Achieved 57% increase in sales backlog through restructuring North American sales organization and strengthening specifications efforts.
VP BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Forte Opening Solutions (Masonite Architectural)
Tampa, Florida
01.2021 - 03.2023
- Transitioned into vice president role, overseeing acquisition strategy and due diligence for target companies.
- Transformed components business through merger of two door skin plants, expanded particle core operations and enhanced mineral core formulation.
- Drove growth of particle core operations with effective sales strategies and enhanced production efficiency.
- Streamlined processes, enhancing production capacity within particle core operations.
- Implemented innovative practices in mineral core product development and operations.
- Resolved supply chain challenges from COVID-19 and raw material shortages, ensuring continuity of operations.
- Executed strategic integration of door core products, strengthening market competitiveness.
- Addressed operational inefficiencies caused by pandemic disruptions, ensuring business continuity.
GENERAL MANAGER CANADA
Forte Opening Solutions (Masonite Architectural)
Concord, Ontario
11.2016 - 01.2021
- General Manager of Canada C $90M P&L responsibility.
- Responsible for government and stakeholder relations.I joined Masonite to lead Canadian operations—two acquired businesses that had never been integrated. I built and executed a strategy that repositioned the division as a leading supplier to the Canadian market, anchored in supply chain excellence, quality, and on‑time delivery. I expanded capacity, particularly in stile‑and‑rail manufacturing for the U.S. market, and introduced new products aligned with market needs. These efforts delivered 30%+ top‑line growth and restored EBITDA to mid‑teens, placing Canada among the highest‑performing regions in the global group.
- Led post-merger integration of 3 manufacturing businesses in Quebec, Ontario and Missouri repositioning to ensure profitable growth while maximizing share capture.
- General Manager leading Canadian and specialty commercial door businesses including sales, marketing, product development.
- Developed long-range strategic plan, annual operating budget, competitive benchmarking, and voice of customer initiatives to drive alignment and focus.
- Coordinated operations, finance, procurement, HR, and administration functions to streamline processes and enhance collaboration.
- Direct responsibility for 35-member sales, customer service & marketing team and 5 Manufacturer’s representatives.
- Developed people through training and succession planning.
- Advocated for industry initiatives through participation in Women in Manufacturing and related associations.
VICE-PRESIDENT COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING
Canadian Credit Union Association
01.2015 - 01.2016
GROUP MARKETING DIRECTOR
Westlake Royal Building Products
01.2010 - 09.2014
- Led turnaround of Royal Building Products after joining in 2009, integrating 22 separate companies.
Crafted and implemented strategic plan that unified operations across the organization.
Enhanced manufacturing workflows to drive efficiency and reduce waste.
Developed innovative product categories, including film-based PVC siding, moldings, trim, and decking.
Oversaw rebranding efforts that elevated Royal’s identity as an innovation-focused leader. - Developed marketing strategies to enhance brand visibility in building products.
- Managed cross-functional teams to execute integrated marketing campaigns effectively.
- Analyzed market trends to inform product positioning and promotional efforts.
DIRECTOR STRATEGY, MARKETING & INNOVATION
Lafarge-Holcim (Gypsum Division)
Johannesburg, South Africa
09.2005 - 04.2009
- Developed strategic growth plan for Sub-Saharan Africa, modernizing building practices, introducing new products, and enhancing market capabilities to support new plasterboard plant launch.
- Developed and implemented comprehensive marketing strategies for cement and concrete products.
- Led cross-functional teams to enhance brand visibility and product positioning.
- Managed digital marketing campaigns across multiple platforms to engage target audiences.
GLOBAL KNOWLEDGE MANAGER
Lafarge-Holcim
Paris, France
03.2002 - 08.2005
Education
MBA -
01-2000
BACHELOR OF ARTS - Major International Relations Minor in French
09.1988 - 06.1992
Skills
- Executive leadership
- P&L management
- Strategic planning
- Sales leadership
- Business development
- Revenue growth strategies
- Performance improvement
- Product innovation
- Risk management
- Stakeholder engagement
- Organizational leadership
- Team leadership strategies
- Team building
- Brand positioning
- Leadership team development
Languages
- English, fluent
- French, fluent
- Spanish, basic
References
Available Upon Request
Governance
- Ontario Heritage Trust, Director, Member of Executive Committee, Chair Finance, Investment and Audit Committees, Present
- Trinity College School Board of Governors, Governor, Member Infrastructure Committee, Sustainability & Master Plan Working Groups, 01/01/20, 10/31/26
- Lafarge Gypsum Mining Board, SA, Executive Director, 01/01/05, 09/30/09
Professional Development
- Executive Leadership - Center for Higher Ambition Leadership Institute (HALI)
- Everything DiSC
- 5 Behaviors of a Cohesive Team
- Innovation - Stage Gate Innovation Enterprise
- Portfolio Management
- Project Management Certificate - University of Toronto
- Board Governance - 12/31/12 Canadian Board Diversity Council Diversity 50
Languages
English
Full Professional
French
Full Professional
Spanish
Limited
Timeline
PRESIDENT - AMBICO Limited
01.2024 - 05.2026
VP BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT - Forte Opening Solutions (Masonite Architectural)
01.2021 - 03.2023
GENERAL MANAGER CANADA - Forte Opening Solutions (Masonite Architectural)
11.2016 - 01.2021
VICE-PRESIDENT COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING - Canadian Credit Union Association
01.2015 - 01.2016
GROUP MARKETING DIRECTOR - Westlake Royal Building Products
01.2010 - 09.2014
DIRECTOR STRATEGY, MARKETING & INNOVATION - Lafarge-Holcim (Gypsum Division)
09.2005 - 04.2009
GLOBAL KNOWLEDGE MANAGER - Lafarge-Holcim
03.2002 - 08.2005
University of Toronto - BACHELOR OF ARTS, Major International Relations Minor in French
09.1988 - 06.1992
Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto - MBA,