Human Resources Manager

Darling International Canada Inc.; Cambridge; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in rendering services to the food industry seeks a Human Resources Manager to oversee HR operations across multiple locations. The successful candidate will provide essential support in employee and labor relations, ensuring compliance with company policies and legal requirements. Strong negotiation and communication skills are necessary to navigate the complexities of a unionized environment. The role involves talent acquisition, performance management, and HR policy development.

Benefits

Competitive Salary

Life Insurance

Disability Coverage

Flexible Health and Dental Plan

Annual Incentive Participation

Pension Plan

Educational Assistance Programs

Scholarship Programs

Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive experience in HR focused on employee and labor relations.
• Proficient in unionized environments, collective bargaining, and HR documentation.
• Bilingual English/French is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Lead HR operations across multiple facilities as primary contact for employee matters.
• Advise on labor laws, company policies, and employee relations in unionized settings.
• Oversee labor relations, including collective bargaining and grievance resolution.

Skills

Negotiation

Conflict Resolution

Communication

Influencing

Customer Service

Education

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources

CHRL Designation

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Darling International Canada Inc., is Canada's largest provider of rendering and recycling services to the food industry, operating six processing facilities across Canada. Darling Canada provides essential services for the efficient and environmentally responsible management of collecting, processing and recycling edible and inedible animal by-products. Darling is committed to environmental sustainability, superior quality and excellent customer service.

Position Summary:

Reporting to the Sr. Director of Human Resources, the Human Resources Manager is responsible for leading HR operations across multiple manufacturing locations. Working closely with the site management teams and providing functional support, the HR Manager will guide and provide insight on all matters relating to company policies, labour laws, collective agreements and best HR practices with unionized and non-unionized employees. The successful candidate demonstrates ability to collaborate with and influence operations managers, is detail-oriented, highly organized, and thrives in a fast-paced, environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as the Human Resources lead within an assigned client group across multiple facilities, as the primary point of contact for employees and managers.
• Provide advice, interpretation, coaching and guidance to managers and employees in both unionized and non-unionized settings on employee relations, employment law interpretation, company policies, investigations, employee performance, leadership development, conflict resolution, absenteeism management, performance management, progressive discipline, HR documentation and terminations.
• Oversees labour relations function at the sites by interpreting and assisting with the administration of the collective labour agreements, participating in labour management meetings, overseeing and resolving grievances and collaborating with union representatives.
• Leads the collective bargaining and arbitration activities as Company representative.
• Partner, assist and coach supervisors in determining appropriate corrective action, conflict resolution, and performance management techniques for their employees. Prepares and reviews documentation with management to support disciplinary and corrective action procedures; counsels/supports management in disciplinary action and termination meetings or exit interviews.
• Conducts thorough and objective investigations related to harassment, discrimination, code of conduct, and policy violations.
• Develop and deliver training programs for management and employees on labour relations topics.
• Assist in the implementation and monitoring of Attendance Management Programs, collaborate with the benefits Coordinator to support early and safe return to work for non-occupational injuries and illnesses.
• Engaged in Talent Acquisition activities, including interviews and assessments for site supervisory roles and above.
• Conduct and analyze exit interviews to identify trends, inform retention strategies, and provide actionable insights to leadership.
• Develop, implement, and maintain employee relations policies and procedures that are fair, consistent, and aligned with the company's values and legal requirements in partnership with relevant stakeholders.
• Support site change management efforts and provide input on workforce planning, restructuring, and organizational development initiatives.
• Monitor and ensure compliance with federal, provincial, and local employment laws and company policies; stay informed of industry trends, and labour relations practices to ensure company compliance and proactive risk management.
• Track, maintain and report employee relations data and metrics.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Travel regularly between facilities (up to 30%).

Education and/or Work Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in human resources, Labour Relations, Business Administration or related field.
• 7+ years of progressive experience working in Human Resources with a focus on employee and labour relations in a unionized environment.
• CHRL Designation (achieved or in progress).
• Proven work experience in a unionized manufacturing/processing environment including experience in collective bargaining.
• Strong influencing, negotiation and conflict resolution skills in addition to well-developed partnership and exceptional communication skills.
• Demonstrated experience leading investigations and handling grievances and arbitration processes.
• Proficiency in the use of MS Office applications.
• Solid sense of accountability, high-quality judgment and sound decision-making.
• Ability to handle confidential information and escalate issues when appropriate.
• A strong customer service orientation, with experience providing HR services across multiple locations.
• Working knowledge of multi-jurisdictional environments (Provincial Employment Standards, Human Rights Code, Labour Relations Act, etc.).
• Proficiency in handling multiple assignments concurrently with conflicting priorities.
• Bilingual English/French an asset.
• Ability to travel within Ontario and Canada. Driver's license required.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Office or Manufacturing Plant Environment.
• Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in a standard office setting
• Stand or sit for prolonged periods of time.
• Occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, twist; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate (up to 20 pounds) amounts of weight.
• Operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer.
• Required to travel to other locations using various modes of private and commercial transportation.
• Ability to communicate to exchange information.

We Offer:

• Competitive Salary
• Life Insurance, Disability, Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Health and Dental Benefit Plan
• Participation in Annual Incentive Plan
• Defined Contribution Pension Plan
• Educational Assistance Programs and, Scholarship Programs

Darling International Canada Inc. is committed to a workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities where our facilities are located. We actively seek qualified individuals with demonstrated skill and knowledge to deal with all aspects of diversity in a manufacturing environment. We are committed to accommodating applicants with disabilities throughout the hiring process, in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). The Human Resources Contact responsible for this position will work with applicants requesting accommodation at any stage of the hiring process. This document is available in alternate format on request.