Working at Walker
At Walker, your contribution matters. Become part of a team you can count on and where your health and safety are our priority. Our team of more than 1200 people work in environmental waste management and recovery, renewable energy, paving and construction, aggregates, and emulsions chemistries. We are a fifth-generation, family-owned company founded in 1887, operating from our base in the Niagara Region with facilities across Canada and the United States. We care about the environment, each other, and our neighbours, and give back to our communities . Join us on our journey to build a sustainable future, together.
About the Job
Lead safety. Influence operations. Make a lasting impact.
This is an opportunity for an experienced health and safety leader to step into a highly visible role supporting Construction and Aggregates operations across Grey Bruce, Hanover and Simcoe. Reporting directly to the VP, Health & Safety, the Health & Safety Manager will provide strategic and hands-on leadership across a diverse operational environment where safety leadership, risk management and operational excellence go hand in hand. You’ll translate corporate health and safety strategy into practical initiatives that work in the field—building strong relationships with operational leaders, developing a high-performing health and safety team, reducing critical risks and strengthening a culture where everyone takes ownership of safety. This is not a role that sits behind a desk. You’ll be in the field, in the conversations that matter and close to the operations you’re helping lead. With responsibility for 2–4 direct reports, you’ll have the opportunity to influence both people and performance while partnering with Directors, General Managers, Operations Managers, supervisors, employees, contractors and Joint Health & Safety Committees.
The position can be based in Barrie or Owen Sound and requires regular travel throughout both regions.
Salary $95,000 to $105,000 based on experience and qualifications
What You’ll Be Doing
Lead the development, implementation and continuous improvement of divisional health and safety programs in alignment with corporate strategy, the Safety Management System (SMS) and applicable legislation.
Provide visible, field-based health and safety leadership across Construction and Aggregates operations, building trusted relationships with operational leaders, supervisors, employees, contractors and Joint Health & Safety Committees.
Lead, mentor, coach and develop Health & Safety Coordinators and Senior Health & Safety Coordinators, including work planning, performance management, professional development and succession planning.
Partner with Directors, General Managers and Operations Managers to identify risk, solve complex safety challenges and embed health and safety into operational decision-making.
Review incident and near-miss investigations and lead or support complex and serious incident investigations, focusing on systemic causes and sustainable corrective actions.
Drive critical risk management initiatives, including SIF prevention, Life Saving Rules, hazard identification, risk assessments, field-level risk assessments, occupational hygiene, designated substances, respiratory protection and safety communications.
Lead divisional audits, inspections and assurance activities, turning findings into meaningful improvements and verifying that corrective actions are sustained.
Use data and leading indicators to identify trends, emerging risks and opportunities, translating insights into clear recommendations for operational and corporate leadership.
Champion a proactive safety culture through visible leadership, coaching, communication and meaningful employee engagement.
Support divisional health and safety budget planning, resource allocation and expense oversight, ensuring investments are aligned with operational risk and business priorities.
Build effective relationships with regulatory agencies, including WSIB and MLITSD, and support inspections, orders, reporting and regulatory requirements.
Play a key health and safety role in acquisitions, integrations and business transitions, helping new or evolving operations adopt corporate standards and the SMS.
Support training strategy and delivery, including supervisor coaching, facilitation and verification of training effectiveness.
Bring sound judgment and decisive leadership to urgent incidents, complex risk situations and evolving operational priorities.
Here’s What You Need
8–10 years of progressive health and safety experience, ideally within construction, aggregates, mining, industrial or another high-risk operational environment.
A university degree in Occupational Health and Safety or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
A valid driver's licence in good standing and flexibility to travel regularly throughout the assigned region.
Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP) and/or National Construction Safety Officer (NCSO) designation considered an asset.
Proven experience implementing, auditing and continuously improving divisional Safety Management Systems (SMS).
Previous supervisory or people-leadership experience, with a demonstrated ability to coach, develop and hold safety professionals accountable for performance.
Advanced knowledge of Ontario occupational health and safety legislation, construction and industrial safety requirements, COR/audit principles and health and safety management systems.
Strong practical knowledge of Construction and Aggregates operations, including mobile equipment, contractor management, traffic management, working at heights, confined spaces, energy isolation, field-level risk assessments and other high-risk activities.
Advanced investigation, problem-solving and risk management skills, with the ability to identify systemic causes and implement practical, sustainable controls.
Strong leadership, interpersonal, influencing and communication skills, with the ability to build credibility and effectively engage executives, operational leaders, supervisors, frontline employees, regulators and external partners.
Strong organizational and prioritization skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, field demands and urgent incident response.
Experience with health and safety budget planning, expense oversight and resource allocation.
Proficiency with safety management systems such as eCompliance, as well as data analysis, reporting and presentation tools.
Adult Train-the-Trainer certification and demonstrated ability to facilitate training and communicate technical information in a clear, practical and engaging manner.
Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment and make timely decisions in complex or high-pressure situations.
Professionalism, tact, diplomacy and discretion when handling sensitive employee, incident and business information.
What’s in it for you
You become part of a team you can count on
A comprehensive total rewards package and benefits to support your wellbeing
Leaders who support your growth and success
Flexible work policies and strong work-life balance
Give back to our communities with two paid volunteer days annually and opportunities to become involved in events
Walker Industries does not rely on artificial intelligence or automated systems at any stage of recruiting or hiring. Every applicant is reviewed and assessed solely by qualified professionals to maintain a fair, human-led process.
At Walker, your contribution matters. If you share our commitment to giving back to your community and caring about the environment we’d love to hear from you. Our workplaces strive to reflect the diversity of the communities in which we operate. We welcome applications from qualified candidates of all ethnicities, race, religions, gender identities and expression, Indigenous communities, and persons with disabilities.
Should you require any accommodation in applying for this role, or throughout the interview process, please let us know when contacted and we will work with you to meet your needs. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted
