City : Mississauga

Category : Other

Industry : Food/Packaging

Employer : Maple Leaf Foods

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 

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

The Opportunity

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

• Provide FSQA site leadership and guidance to the FSQA team and to other functional groups on quality and food safety related opportunities and issues.
• Contribute as a key member of the facility leadership team providing input on strategic decisions, continuous improvement and driving food safety culture.
• Actively participate in recurring cross functional meetings including leadership reviews, foreign material prevention meetings, project meetings, sanitation meetings, HACCP team meetings, product development meetings and others as required.
• Lead and/or support change management activities related to processes, programs and/or systems at the facility.
• Identify and recommend opportunities for continuous improvement within existing plant and corporate FSQA programs, lead and support the implementation of changes at the facility.
• Lead the plant team during internal and external audits (e.g. CFIA, BRC, customers), including preparation activities and any required corrective actions and related communication.
• Develop and advance relationships with regulatory bodies, customers, and other internal and external stakeholders.
• Lead and facilitate Food Safety and Quality Risk Assessments for product development projects, and as required when food safety and/or quality concerns are identified.
• Ensure timely resolution of any required corrective actions associated with audits and food safety or quality incidents.
• Accountable for hold and release activities related to pathogen test programs, non-conformance incidents, etc.
• Lead, coach and develop the facility’s FSQA team.
• Using fact-based analysis, provide guidance and recommendations to improve the facility’s food safety and quality systems.
• Ensure effective execution of all food safety and quality programs to meet corporate and customer food safety strategy & quality standards as well as all regulatory requirements.
• Lead facility activities during any potential product recalls and withdrawals.
• Lead investigations into consumer and customer complaints in a thorough and timely manner.
• Develop, enhance, execute and champion HACCP as a key member of the HACCP team.
• Ensure adherence to product specifications, establishing and assuring adherence to QMS governance, trend analysis of QMS performance (CQPs, CTQs, etc.) to identify, enable, and support implementation of process improvements as defined within QMS governance.
• Manage the plant FSQA budget.

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:

• Minimum 5 years of experience leading a high performing FSQA team in a GFSI certified (BRC is an asset), regulated food manufacturing facility (RTE is an asset).
• Ability to leverage exceptional interpersonal and communication skills to develop productive internal and external relationships
• Proven ability to influence stakeholders at all levels to achieve desired results.
• Energetic and positive leadership style.
• Excellent observation and problem-solving skills.
• Proven ability to coach for high performance.
• Proven ability to work effectively as part of a cross functional leadership team.
• Demonstrated knowledge of HACCP, GFSI (BRC is an asset) requirements, relevant regulations.
• Ability to set and prioritize goals and objectives and communicate these to peers, direct reports, and senior leadership.
• Ability to use data to identify trends and proactively identify and implement corrective actions to mitigate and/or eliminate associated risks.
• Detail-focused with exemplary organizational, analytical, and planning abilities.
• Ability to work effectively in a team and independently in an ever-changing, fast paced environment.
• Strong systems skills (including MS Office).
• Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science, Microbiology or a related discipline.

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.