Health & Safety Manager

A Sustainable, Forward Thinking Protein Company

Maple Leaf Foods is a leading meat and plant-based protein company, employing over 11,500 people and publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange. We are proud of our roots, which trace back well over 100 years, but our vision and purpose are decidedly forward looking. As we pursue our vision to become the most sustainable protein company on earth, we are committed to creating shared value – creative business value through addressing some of the world’s most critical social and environmental challenges. Our goal is to build a more sustainable food system, which provides nutritious affordable food, operates within planetary limits, cares for animals responsibly, and meaningfully engages with our communities to advance a more just society. We are advancing bold changes within Maple Leaf and more broadly within society to pursue our vision. We deeply believe this is the sustainable path to growth.

Our job is to make great food

Maple Leaf Foods embraces a strong values-based culture, where our people are deeply engaged in work that is purposeful, fast-paced and challenging.We cultivate an open, non-bureaucratic and inclusive workplace that fosters safety and transparency, along with individual leadership and accountability. Each Maple Leaf team member has a voice and plays an active role in helping all of us achieve our goals with passion and discipline. We support one another to grow professionally, to learn new skills and to take on challenging experiences in the spirit of continuous improvement

Raise the Good in Food

We have united behind a shared purpose – to Raise the Good in Food. This spans a dramatic transformation of our flagship Maple Leaf brand, replacing anything artificial with simple, natural ingredients; investments and process changes to reduce our environmental footprint by 50% by 2025; building a diverse and inclusive culture where all talent thrives; becoming a leader in animal care; and advancing food security through our charitable foundation, the Maple Leaf Centre for Action on Food Security.

Our Leadership Values

Eight core values guide us in everything that we do.

• Do What’s Right
• Shared Value
• High Performance
• Diverse and Inclusive Teams
• Disciplined Decision Making
• Our Accountability
• Intense Curiosity
• Transparency and Humility

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Plant Manager, the HSSE Manager is accountable for the administration and maintenance of MLF’s Health and Safety Management System (HSMS) while working with management to ensure compliance with all corporate and legislative requirements. The HSSE Manager provides coaching to managers and supervisors in the ongoing administration of the system to ensure consistent application throughout the organization. Working as part of the Site Leadership Team, the HSSE Manager leads safety and wellness initiatives to develop safer, healthier, and more efficient ways of working.

A snapshot of some of the exciting things you will lead and do:

• Assist the Site Leadership Team in setting S.M.A.R.T. (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, timely) safety goals, objectives, and measurements.

• Provide leadership, mentoring, and direction to managers, supervisors, and employees in safety and incident prevention activities.
• Ensure Occupational Health and Safety roles and responsibilities are clearly defined, understood, and acted upon by managers, supervisors, Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee members and all employees.
• Foster good staff relationships to gain commitment from all employees.
• Generate and submit all internal and external reporting as required.
• Implement and monitor the Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS), including safe work procedures and on-the-job training to meet MLF Tier 3 standards and operational objectives.
• Coordinate annual review of OHSMS documentation.
• Maintain OHSMS documentation.
• Seek continuous improvement by ensuring that regular inspections, hazard analysis, risk assessments, and audits are conducted.
• Ensure timely reporting of injuries to internal and external bodies.
• Administer and maintain incident reporting/recording systems to ensure compliance with company and legislative requirements.
• Utilize incident and root cause analysis to provide direction and recommendations on how to mitigate/control losses and foster a proactive safety culture.
• Ensure an adequate corrective action process is applied to inspections, incident investigations, trend analysis, internal audits, and orders from regulatory bodies.
• Provide or assist with the coordination of orientation, education, and training to managers, supervisors, employees, and the Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee.
• Ensure effective service is provided in screening new employees.
• Raise awareness and advocate the understanding of Occupational Health and Safety Acts and regulations.
• Participate in the Occupational Joint Health and Safety Committee.
• Provide disability management support.
• Ensure that personal protective equipment is provided and all applicable recording keeping is up-to-date.
• Comply with legislative requirements.
• Assist with the rehabilitation of employees after incidents or injuries, and ensure return-to-work placements are conducted productively, consistently within restrictions, and in a cost-effective manner.
• Communicate with the employee’s health care practitioner to clarify functional abilities to facilitate safe return to work.
• Produce reports and statistical information, analyze trends, and present findings and/or recommendations to management.
• Conduct and coordinate training sessions for management, supervisors, employees, Joint OHS Committee members, and new hires on Occupational Health and Safety practices, legislation, and industry changes.
• File Workers’ Compensation reports, ensuring all required information is clearly presented and reported to the Board within timelines outlined in the Workers’ Compensation legislation.
• Assist with the rehabilitation of employees after incidents or injuries, and ensure return-to-work placements are conducted productively, consistently within restrictions, and in a cost-effective manner.
• Communicate with the employee’s health care practitioner to clarify functional abilities to facilitate safe return to work.
• Schedule regular meetings with the employees currently on a modified/transitional work program to monitor their progress.
• Maintains confidential personnel records.
• Develop and communicate an emergency response program and procedures to management and supervision.
• Coordinate training for emergency response personnel.
• Develop and communicate the crisis response programs and procedures

• Other duties as assigned

What we have to offer you:

• Be part of a company with an inspiring and unique vision, with a deep commitment to sustainability and expanding its leadership in sustainable protein across North America
• Professional and career development opportunities
• Competitive Health and Wellness benefits that start on your first day of employment
• Defined Contribution Pension Plan
• Commitment to Learning – courses, resources and tools provided to all employees
• Employee Assistance Program

What you will bring:

The successful candidate will be results-oriented, thrive in a fast paced, demanding environment, and have the ability to develop positive working relationships with associates and employees. The preferred candidate will possess the following;

• Minimum 3-7 years of experience in an Occupational Health and Safety role in a manufacturing or process industry.
• Bachelor of Science in Occupational Health and Safety, Certificate or diploma program in Occupational Health and Safety, or College diploma or university degree in any discipline (with preference to the sciences).
• Demonstrated leadership skills, preferably within a manufacturing or process environment, consistent with company values.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Comprehensive knowledge of Occupational Health and Safety legislation combined with training in hazard recognition, assessment, and control.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills.
• Strong problem-solving and organizational skills.
• Capability of working and interacting with all levels within an organization.
• Proven ability to deliver positive business results.
• Ability to seek out and apply best practices as solutions to correct deficiencies.
• Considerable tact and discretion required in dealing with employees, managers, and external enforcement authorities on Occupational Health and Safety issues.
• Strong knowledge and experience in all aspects of Occupational Health and Safety.

Maple Leaf Foods is committed to ensuring the health and safety of all our employees. As part of this commitment, we have adopted a number of COVID-19 safety measures, including a requirement for all employees to be fully vaccinated by March 31, 2022 and to show proof of vaccination. In keeping with this policy, successful candidates will need to provide proof of vaccination by March 31, 2022 (or prior to their first day of work if the start date is after March 31, 2022). We will of course consider accommodations for anyone unable to be vaccinated following human rights and other applicable laws
We thank all applicants for their interest in exploring employment opportunities with Maple Leaf Foods; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Applicants may be subject to a background check and must meet the security criteria designated for the position.
Championing diversity and inclusion is a critical component to advancing our collective purpose and vision, living the Maple Leaf Leadership Values, and delivering winning results. Accommodation is available upon request for applicants with disabilities in the recruitment and assessment process and when hired; please contact our Talent Attraction Team at accommodations@mapleleaf.com.