People Experience Specialist - Manufacturing & Distribution

Accountabilities:: Employee Relations: Independently manage and resolve a high volume of employee relations matters, including complaints, performance concerns, separations, terminations, leaves, time and attendance issues, and other sensitive workplace situations across North America. Workplace Investigations: Lead thorough, objective investigations involving bullying, harassment, workplace violence, fitness for work, misconduct, and other employee concerns, maintaining detailed documentation and recommending appropriate resolutions. Leadership Partnership: Advise leaders at different levels on complex employee relations situations, conflict resolution, performance management, and the consistent application of people policies and practices. Performance Management: Partner with managers to initiate, implement, and monitor performance improvement plans while providing ongoing coaching, guidance, and support. Compliance & Employment Standards: Collaborate with Compliance to support adherence to employment standards, scheduling requirements, meal and break rules, work eligibility, mandatory training, health and safety requirements, and other applicable policies. Accommodations & Leaves: Review accommodation requests and supporting documentation, partner with managers on appropriate solutions, and support return-to-work processes by coordinating between employees, managers, and benefits teams. Workplace Safety & Claims: Support employee injury matters and workplace compensation claims while maintaining expertise in emergency protocols, safety procedures, and incident response. Employee Engagement: Conduct quarterly site visits and people compliance and engagement audits, gather employee feedback, identify concerns, and facilitate constructive dialogue and resolution. Organizational Changes: Independently coordinate temporary and permanent layoffs and shop closures, ensuring appropriate planning, compliance, communication, and execution. Hiring & Onboarding: Support hiring activities and ensure internal stakeholders have the knowledge and resources needed for effective recruitment, onboarding, and staff training. Employee Support: Act as a knowledgeable point of contact for employees, helping them navigate questions and concerns and directing them to the appropriate resources, teams, or processes. Wellbeing & Benefits: Promote available wellbeing programs and resources, encourage employee participation, and collaborate with benefits teams to identify opportunities for improvement. People Data & Insights: Collect accurate and relevant people data, identify trends, and report or escalate significant issues to the appropriate stakeholders. Policy & Business Knowledge: Maintain strong knowledge of policies, operations, benefits, compensation, time and attendance, leaves, accommodations, people practices, and business developments that may affect employees. Requirements Employee Relations Experience: At least 2 years of direct employee relations experience, including employee complaints, time and attendance matters, leaves, workplace investigations, terminations, and policy application. HR & Employment Law Knowledge: Strong HR knowledge relevant to the assigned geographical area, including applicable employment legislation, policies, and workplace practices. Investigation Expertise: Demonstrated ability to conduct a high volume of workplace investigations objectively and without bias, identify root causes, evaluate legal, business, and individual considerations, and recommend comprehensive solutions. Confidentiality & Documentation: Strong ability to maintain confidentiality, take thorough and objective notes, use appropriate questioning techniques, and follow through on agreed outcomes. Communication & Listening: Excellent listening, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to navigate sensitive conversations and provide clear, practical guidance. Analytical Thinking: Strong analytical, critical-thinking, troubleshooting, and decision-making capabilities, with sound judgment in complex employee situations. Organization: Excellent organization and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and a high volume of cases independently. Technology Skills: Proficiency with Excel, Microsoft Suite, Google Suite, and the ability to quickly adapt to additional HR and business systems. Onsite Availability: Willingness and ability to work onsite five days per week in the Toronto/Etobicoke area. Travel: Ability to travel up to 25% within the local market and across North America for meetings and site visits; a valid passport is required. Preferred Experience: 2+ years of people-support experience in retail or manufacturing environments is an advantage. Education & Training: HR coursework, a degree, or professional certification is considered an asset. Inclusive Collaboration: Experience working across cultures and/or training in diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, or social justice is preferred. Languages: Fluency in Spanish, French, or another additional language is an asset. Benefits Compensation: Base salary range of $70,200–$78,000 CAD , depending on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and internal equity. Employment Type: Full-time, regular position. Work Arrangement: Fully onsite, five days per week, for candidates located in or around Toronto, Ontario. Location: Work from facilities in Etobicoke, including 35 Jutland Road and 70 The East Mall . Professional Impact: High-ownership role with significant influence over employee relations, workplace practices, compliance, safety, wellbeing, and the overall people experience. Regional Scope: Opportunity to support people matters across North America and collaborate with leaders and teams across multiple locations. Travel Exposure: Regular opportunities to engage with different sites and teams through local and North American travel of up to 25%. Inclusive Environment: Work within a people-focused environment committed to diversity, inclusion, respect, and equal employment opportunity. Employee Support Focus: Direct involvement in wellbeing resources, accommodations, return-to-work programs, employee engagement, and workplace safety initiatives.