Senior Manager, Seasonal Labour

Schuyler Farms Limited; Coulson; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent agricultural company in Ontario seeks a Senior Manager, Seasonal Labour to oversee seasonal workforce management. The role emphasizes optimizing productivity and compliance across orchard and field operations. The ideal candidate has a Bachelor's degree and over 5 years of relevant experience. This position is full-time, offering a salary starting at $95,000. In-person work is required.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in seasonal workforce management, preferably in agriculture.
• Proven ability to manage large teams and optimize labour productivity.
• Strong knowledge of labour laws and safety regulations.

Responsibilities

• Oversee planning and deployment of seasonal labour across the company.
• Monitor labour productivity and implement corrective actions.
• Develop systems to track labour metrics and operational performance.

Skills

Workforce management

Labour planning

Team leadership

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Agriculture, or related field

Tools

Labour tracking systems

Scheduling tools

Job description

Job Summary

The Senior Manager, Seasonal Labour is responsible for overseeing all aspects of seasonal workforce management to ensure optimal productivity, compliance, and engagement across orchard and field operations. This role leads the planning, deployment, and coordination of seasonal crews while partnering with operational and HR leadership to ensure resources are allocated efficiently and workflows are optimized. The Senior Manager serves as the point of escalation for workforce-related issues and supports a high-performing, accountable seasonal workforce. This role requires an individual who exemplifies the company values of humble, driven, and solutions-oriented. Humble – Employees that are team players and are respectful of others and the job at hand. Great team players lack excessive ego or concerns about status. Humble employees are quick to point out contributions of others and slow to seek attention of their own. Driven – Employees who are motivated and focused on self improvement. Driven or hungry employees are always looking for more. More things to do, learn, and take responsibility for. They never have to be pushed by a manager to work harder because they are self-motivated and diligent. Solutions Oriented – Employees who focus on solving, and preventing problems from occurring, not just identifying them. This is equal parts of problems with systems and processes and the common sense that an employee has about people. They are aware, act appropriately, ask good questions, and listen to understand.

Role and Accountability

• Own the planning, scheduling, and deployment of all seasonal labor across the company, ensuring workforce needs are fully met in orchards, fields, and other operational sites as required.
• Partner with Senior Managers to align workforce allocation with operational priorities.
• Monitor labour productivity, absenteeism, and overtime; implement corrective actions as needed.
• Ensure all seasonal staff are trained, coached, and aligned with performance expectations, safety standards, and company policies.
• Maintain an optimal number of staff trained across the various disciplines required to successfully operate orchards and processing plants.
• Maintain a visible presence in operational areas to observe workforce execution, address issues, and provide coaching to crew leads.
• Develop systems and tools to track labour metrics, operational performance, and compliance.
• Serve as the escalation point for workforce issues, collaborating with Operations and HR as needed.
• Oversee labour management in conjunction with operational leadership, ensuring workforce efficiency, productivity, and optimal allocation of crews across farms.
• Ensure the department maintains compliance with applicable financial, legal, and internal control requirements, proactively identifying and mitigating risks.
• Proactively retain top talent by supporting career development, succession planning, and recognition of high performers.
• Conduct regular performance conversations, including probationary 30 / 60 / 90-day check-ins for new hires and quarterly performance conversations to provide feedback, set expectations, and support employee development.
• Support capital and operational budgeting for seasonal labour and leverage operational systems and data to improve decision-making and efficiency.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and fellow Senior Managers to ensure seamless operational handoffs and aligned execution of company objectives.
• Develop and maintain financial dashboards and KPI reporting to drive visibility into performance and support data-informed decision-making.
• Build and lead a high-performance seasonal team by coaching and developing A Players, applying LMA (Lead, Manage, and hold Accountable), and cultivating future leaders.
• Actively model the company's core values—Humble, Driven, and Solutions-Oriented—by personally welcoming new hires, celebrating team achievements, and fostering an inclusive and empowering culture.
• Congratulate employees receiving promotions, recognizing achievements and fostering a positive work culture.
• Ensure that departmental Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), policies, and procedures are developed, regularly reviewed, kept up to date, and that any changes are submitted through the appropriate approval process.
• Lead Level 10 meetings with direct reports to ensure alignment with company goals and drive continuous improvement. Participate in other Level 10 meetings to contribute to organizational effectiveness.
• Lead strategic initiatives to improve efficiency, innovation, and operational excellence.
• Serve as the point of escalation for department-level issues, collaborating with other directors to ensure organizational alignment.
• Exercise discretion in giving or receiving gifts and promptly notify direct reports accordingly.
• Utilize Microsoft To-Do (or similar) for task tracking and reminders, ensuring productivity and accountability.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Expertise in seasonal workforce management, labour planning, and productivity optimization.
• Strong knowledge of labour laws, safety regulations, and operational compliance standards.
• Skilled in coaching, mentoring, and building high-performing teams.
• Proficient in labour tracking systems, scheduling tools, and operational reporting.
• Ability to analyze workforce data and implement data-driven improvements.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Agriculture, or related field preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in seasonal workforce management, preferably in agriculture or field operations.
• Proven ability to manage large teams, coordinate complex schedules, and optimize labour productivity.
• Familiarity with operational systems, HR software, or labour management tools is an asset.

In accordance with the Ontario Human rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, The Company is an equal opportunity employer who is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier free recruitment and selection process. Applicants should advise Human Resources if they require any type of accommodation during the recruitment process.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $95,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person