Senior Learning and Development Specialist

Maple Leaf Foods Inc; Mississauga; On-site; CAD 71,000 - 103,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Tuition reimbursement

Volunteer days

Pension plan

Job summary

Maple Leaf Foods Inc. is seeking a Sr. Learning and Development Specialist to design, develop, coordinate, deliver and evaluate leadership learning programs across the organization. You will partner with the business to align initiatives with strategic objectives and advance leadership capability.

The role emphasizes proactive design, delivery across instructor-led, virtual, and hybrid formats, and continuous program improvement in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• Proven and recurring success managing the full lifecycle of learning programs, including needs assessment, design, facilitation, implementation, and evaluation.
• Strong facilitation skills for instructor-led, virtual, and hybrid experiences across leadership levels.
• Ability to build psychologically safe, engaging learning environments and drive business impact.

Responsibilities

• Manage the full lifecycle of leadership learning programs and initiatives.
• Design, coordinate, deliver, evaluate, and continuously improve learning programs.
• Collaborate with HR, Talent, and business partners to align learning with strategic objectives.

Skills

Facilitation

Program management

Stakeholder partnerships

Adult learning principles

Communication

Education

College or university degree in Adult Education, Organizational Development, HR

Job description

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Manager, Leadership & Learning, the Sr. Learning and Development Specialist plays a pivotal role in supporting Maple Leaf Foods' Leadership learning programs. This individual will be instrumental in design, development, coordination, delivery, and evaluation of various learning initiatives across the organization. The role requires a proactive approach to enhance the learning experience, ensuring that all programs are aligned with MLF’s strategic objectives and contribute to the development of its leaders while also building strong partnerships across the business.

Reason for vacancy: Existing Headcount

Compensation: $71,000 - $103,000 CAD base pay annually plus annual short-term incentive

The above compensation reflects the target compensation for the position at the time of posting. The base salary offered may vary based on a variety of factors including skills, experience, education, training, job- related knowledge, and other organizational requirements. For part-time roles, salaries are adjusted according to scheduled hours. In addition to base salary, this role is eligible to participate in Maple Leaf’s annual short-term incentive plan.

Snapshot Of a Day-in-the-Life

• Program Management, Facilitation and Execution: ensure learning programs remain relevant, impactful, and aligned to business needs.
• Manage the full lifecycle of learning programs, including participant coordination, logistics, facilitator management, and program delivery.
• Facilitate engaging instructor‑led, virtual, and hybrid learning experiences that create meaningful dialogue, drive participation, and support knowledge transfer.
• Adapt facilitation approaches to different audiences, levels, and learning needs while effectively managing group dynamics and challenging discussions.
• Evaluate, track, and report on program participation, engagement, completion, learner satisfaction, and business outcomes.
• Develop and execute communication strategies and campaigns to increase awareness, participation, and adoption of learning programs.
• Continuously assess program effectiveness and make enhancements based on feedback, business needs, and learning outcomes.

Strategic Analysis and Planning

• Partner with leaders across the business to identify capability gaps and learning opportunities.
• Design learning solutions that consider learner personas, business objectives, operational realities, and adult learning principles.
• Proactively identify emerging leadership, talent, and learning trends that can inform current and future programming.

Collaboration and Relationship Building

• Collaborate with HR, Talent, and business partners to deliver learning solutions that support organizational priorities.
• Build trusted partnerships with leaders and stakeholders across all levels of the organization.
• Partner with external vendors and facilitators to ensure content quality, learner engagement, and business impact.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve learning experiences, processes, and program outcomes.
• Lead complex learning projects from concept through implementation and evaluation.
• Use learning data, participant feedback, and business results to continuously enhance programs and delivery approaches.

Content Design and Development

• Design and develop engaging learning experiences and materials grounded in adult learning principles.
• Work with subject matter experts to ensure content reflects current business practices and future capability needs.
• Collaborate with external partners to develop and deliver high-quality learning content and programs.

What You’ll Bring

• Proven and recurring success managing the full lifecycle of learning programs, including needs assessment, design, facilitation, implementation, and evaluation.
• Strong facilitation skills, with demonstrated experience leading instructor‑led, virtual, and hybrid learning experiences for diverse audiences and leadership levels.
• Ability to create psychologically safe, engaging learning environments that encourage participation, reflection, and application.
• Action‑oriented and proactive, taking ownership and driving results.
• Demonstrated ability to build strong relationships and effectively partner with stakeholders across all levels of the organization.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including writing, presentation, facilitation, and influencing.
• Excellent listening skills and the ability to understand business needs and translate them into effective learning solutions.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Proven ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, dynamic business environment.
• Highly motivated, results‑oriented, and resilient.
• College or university degree in Adult Education, Organizational Development, Human Resources, or a related field. Adult learning certifications (e.g., CPTD, CSTD) are considered an asset.

Key Differentiator

This role requires an experienced facilitator who can confidently lead discussions with frontline employees, managers, directors, and senior leaders, creating engaging learning experiences that translate into meaningful behaviour change and business impact.

What We Offer At Maple Leaf Foods

• Being part of a high-performance, people-focused company that has an inspiring and unique vision to become the most sustainable protein company on earth, and a deep commitment to sustainable protein across North America.
• An inclusive company culture and a work environment that keeps our people safe, rewards excellence, and empowers everyone to learn and contribute their best.
• Competitive Health and Wellness benefits that offer flexibility to meet your individual or family needs, including programs focused on improving mental health and wellbeing. These benefits start on your first day of employment.
• Defined Contribution Pension Plan with company matching that starts on your first day of employment.
• Learning and development opportunities, including workshops, ‘speaker series’ events, and resources that allow you to develop your skills and progress your career.
• Comprehensive tuition reimbursement program that supports continuous learning and development of our team members through investment in eligible degrees, diplomas, professional certification, or trades programs.
• Supporting our deep commitment to community impact, we offer up to two paid days annually to volunteer at a cause of your choice.

About Us

We’re a carbon neutral food company on a purposeful journey to Raise the Good in Food through better nutrition, safer food and workplaces, more humane animal care, and environmental sustainability efforts that protect our planet. We care about our communities and commit to reducing food insecurity in Canada. Join us on the journey. Let’s build a better future, together.

We’re passionate about food. For more than 100 years, we’ve made delicious, healthy protein that Canadians love under iconic national and regional brands, like Maple Leaf®, Schneiders®, and Greenfield Natural Meat Co.®. We’re on a journey to become the most sustainable protein company – not just in Canada – but on earth.

• We are carbon neutral.