Strategy Manager

Maple Leaf Foods Inc.; Mississauga; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food company in Peel Region is seeking a Manager, Strategy to lead cross-functional projects and execute strategic initiatives. This role involves evaluating growth opportunities, managing acquisition processes, and conducting business analytics. Ideal candidates will have 2-4 years of relevant experience, strong strategic instincts, and excellent interpersonal skills. Join a diverse team committed to sustainability and innovation in the food industry.

Benefits

Health and Wellness benefits

Defined Contribution Pension Plan

Learning and development opportunities

Tuition reimbursement program

Paid volunteer days

Qualifications

• 2-4 years relevant experience in strategic analysis.
• Comfortable with managing ambiguous problem statements.
• Disciplined thought process with strong strategic instinct.
• Highly motivated and experienced in leading projects.
• Capable of developing compelling presentation content.
• Strong interpersonal skills and teamwork capabilities.
• Ability to perform robust analyses using quantitative tools.
• Experience presenting to Senior Executives.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional projects aligned with company vision.
• Identify and evaluate strategic opportunities.
• Develop strategic roadmaps for financial and operational benefits.
• Evaluate acquisition opportunities and manage transaction phases.
• Conduct qualitative and quantitative business analytics.
• Prepare presentation materials for key business issues.
• Build strong relationships with strategy staff and teams.

Job description

The Opportunity:

The Strategy and Corporate Development team is at the epicenter of future planning at Maple Leaf Foods. We are a diverse and growing team with significant executive level visibility and massive opportunities for progression.

Reporting directly to the SVP of Corporate Strategy, the Manager, Strategy plays a critical role devising and executing on strategic projects spanning the full breadth of Maple Leaf Foods’ business. Reflective of the ever-evolving strategic landscape that we compete in, every project will be different. The scope of your work will include designing strategic roadmaps to help keep us in front of exciting emerging market trends, identifying ways to reduce risk and drive efficiencies in our internal operations, evaluating potential targets for inorganic growth through M&A and sourcing new opportunities to invest in growing Food-Tech startups.

Any MLF team member interested in being considered for this role are encouraged to apply online by November 18. Applications received beyond that date are not guaranteed consideration.

Snapshot of a Day-in-the-Life:

• Lead Cross Functional Projects: Translate Maple Leaf’s long‑term vision and growth aspirations into actionable strategies by leading cross‑functional projects and partnering with members of the senior leadership team.
• Uncover Opportunities: Identify issues and evaluate opportunities using information gathered across the organization. Develop strategic roadmaps accordingly that will deliver financial, operational, and sustainability benefits.
• Identify Emerging Trends: Develop deep domain expertise across meat and plant protein businesses to identify emerging growth opportunities that complement our products, retail partners, customers, and keep us moving ahead of the industry.
• Build our Inorganic Pipeline: Evaluate new acquisition opportunities and manage all transaction phases including due diligence, negotiation, deal structuring, and post‑merger integration in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
• Qualitative & Quantitative Analysis: Complete business analytics including primary and secondary data gathering, industry and competitor analysis, and financial modeling.
• Manage Our Stakeholders: Prepare presentation materials to summarize recommendations and action plans for key business issues supported by detailed business analytics including financial models and forecasts.
• Build Robust Relationships: Build strong working relationships with other strategy staff and cross‑functional teams to draw information and knowledge for successful strategy design.

What You’ll Bring:

• 2‑4 years relevant experience in strategic analysis of business opportunities and issues (could include experience in strategy consulting, business analysis/planning)
• Comfortable with managing ambiguous problem statements & ability to cope with uncertainty
• Disciplined thought process with the strategic instinct to grasp and adapt to new ideas to address opportunities
• Highly motivated with experience championing cross‑functional projects, or key workstreams for large projects
• Capable of developing content for presentations to articulate a compelling story while managing audiences of all levels
• Demonstrated strong interpersonal and teamwork skills in building relationships across the organization and/or with external advisors and industry experts
• Ability to assess issues/options from a high‑level then dive deeply into robust analyses by leveraging quantitative tools (e.g. financial models) to translate insights into convincing recommendations
• Experience interacting and building relationships with Senior Executives including presenting issues, options and recommendations

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.
• We are one of the only food companies in Canada to set science‑based targets.

We’re a global food company with more than 13,500 team members. We operate sites in 20+ locations across Canada. We also have locations in the U.S. and Mexico, and do business in Asia.

A diverse and inclusive work environment

Championing diversity and inclusion is a critical component to advancing our collective purpose and vision and living the Maple Leaf Leadership Values. We believe in building, investing in, recognizing, and rewarding remarkable people who value an inclusive workplace, embrace all forms of diversity, and commit to including every voice in our collaborative environment. We’re so much stronger when we know we’re accepted and valued for who we are and what we each bring to the workplace.

We embrace a strong, values‑based culture

Our eight Leadership Values are our north star. They guide the decisions we make for all our stakeholders: our consumers, our customers, our people, our communities, our shareholders, and the environment.

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

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 [e-mail].

Disclaimer: Please note that salaries posted on sites other than the MLF Careers Page are not a reflection of Maple Leaf Foods and are an estimated salary range provided by that particular job board. Maple Leaf Foods offers competitive wages and an attractive total rewards package, which will be discussed during an interview with our Talent Team.