Position Title: HR Specialist
Position Type: Regular - Full-Time
Requisition ID: 43659
In every role, McCainers are ambitious, curious, and passionate about creating exceptional work experiences - together. With a customer-first mindset, we make doing business with McCain easy.
About the role.
The HR Specialist plays a key role in supporting Human Resources operations across McCain Produce, Fertilizer, Farms, Valley Farms, and Global Agriculture. Reporting to the Human Resources Business Partner, this position serves as the primary operational HR resource for employees and managers regarding HR programs, policies, procedures, attendance management, leave administration, employee relations support, onboarding, HR systems, reporting, and employee lifecycle activities.
The HR Specialist works closely with operational leaders to provide timely HR support, ensure consistent application of policies and programs, and foster a positive employee experience. This role requires regular presence across operational locations to build relationships, support leaders and employees, and maintain a strong understanding of business needs.
The HR Specialist is responsible for administering HR programs, supporting employee lifecycle activities, coordinating attendance and disability management processes, conducting routine fact-finding and employee relations activities, maintaining HR systems and reporting, and supporting leaders in the consistent application of HR policies and procedures. Strategic HR initiatives, complex employee relations matters, organizational design, workforce planning, succession planning, and precedent-setting decisions retains the responsibility of the Human Resources Business Partner.
What you’ll be doing.
Employee Relations & Manager Support
- Serve as the first point of contact for employees and managers regarding HR policies, programs, procedures, and day-to-day employee matters.
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Provide guidance to managers regarding attendance management, performance concerns, workplace conduct, and application of established HR policies and procedures.
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Support routine workplace investigations by conducting fact-finding activities, gathering documentation, and preparing summaries and recommendations for review.
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Facilitate and document attendance reviews, performance discussions, disciplinary meetings, and employee coaching conversations in partnership with operational leaders.
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Support attendance management processes and assist leaders in the consistent application of attendance programs and practices.
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Support corrective action processes, documentation, and follow-up activities.
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Assist with conflict resolution and employee concerns while promoting a respectful workplace.
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Escalate matters involving significant risk, policy interpretation, legal implications, precedent-setting decisions, or complex employee relations matters to the Human Resources Business Partner.
Leave & Disability Management
- Administer attendance management processes, monitor attendance trends, and provide leaders with information and documentation to support decision-making.
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Coordinate employee leaves, disability claims, accommodations, and return-to-work processes.
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Liaise with employees, leaders, healthcare providers, and third-party administrators to support timely and effective case management.
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Maintain accurate records related to leave, disability, and attendance programs.
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Support compliance with applicable employment standards, company policies, and disability management practices.
Recruitment, Hiring & Onboarding Support
- Support recruitment activities by preparing and maintaining job descriptions, assisting with job postings, coordinating hiring events, and ensuring recruitment processes are completed efficiently.
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Partner with Talent Acquisition and hiring managers to support staffing activities and workforce requirements.
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Coordinate pre-employment requirements and onboarding activities for new hires.
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Facilitate new employee orientation and ensure completion of required employment documentation and training.
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Support seasonal workforce onboarding activities, ensuring timely processing of hiring, orientation, and employment documentation.
HR Administration & Systems
- Process employee lifecycle transactions including hires, transfers, promotions, organizational changes, leaves, returns to work, and terminations.
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Maintain employee records and HR systems with a high degree of accuracy and confidentiality.
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Serve as a subject matter resource for HR systems and processes, supporting system transactions, data integrity, reporting, and employee and manager inquiries.
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Support payroll and benefit administration activities as required.
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Assist employees with benefit, pension, and HR program inquiries.
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Support hourly employees within U.S. fertilizer operations as required.
HR Metrics, Reporting & Continuous Improvement
- Develop, maintain, and analyze HR metrics and reporting related to recruitment, turnover, absenteeism, attendance, workforce demographics, employee movement, and other key business indicators.
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Prepare reports, dashboards, presentations, and workforce analytics for leadership teams.
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Identify trends and provide information and recommendations to support HR and business decision-making.
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Support HR process improvements, standardization efforts, and continuous improvement initiatives across the business.
Employee Engagement & Culture
- Coordinate employee recognition programs, engagement activities, wellness initiatives, and site events.
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Support communication and implementation of HR programs and initiatives.
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Foster positive employee relations through visible, accessible, and proactive HR support.
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Assist in promoting a culture aligned with McCain values and organizational objectives.
Health & Safety Support
- Support Health and Safety initiatives through coordination of training records, reporting requirements, return-to-work programs, and compliance-related documentation.
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Partner with operational leaders and safety teams to support employee wellbeing and workplace safety initiatives.
Compliance & Policy Administration
- Ensure compliance with employment legislation, company policies, and internal procedures.
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Support investigations, documentation, and recordkeeping activities as required.
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Assist in the development, implementation, and communication of HR policies and programs.
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Support diversity, equity, inclusion, and respectful workplace initiatives.
Other Duties
- Participate in HR projects and continuous improvement initiatives.
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Perform other duties as assigned.
What you’ll need to be successful.
Education & Experience
- Post-secondary education in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field is preferred.
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Equivalent combinations of education and relevant experience will be considered.
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Three to five years of progressively responsible Human Resources experience preferred.
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Experience supporting recruitment, employee relations, attendance management, leave administration, and HR systems is considered an asset.
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Experience supporting multiple operational locations in a manufacturing, agriculture, food processing, or industrial environment is considered an asset.
Skills & Competencies
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust and credibility with employees and leaders.
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Sound judgment and ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
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Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to manage competing priorities.
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Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
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Strong problem-solving, conflict-resolution, and decision-making skills.
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Experience interpreting and applying HR policies, procedures, and employment legislation.
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Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
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Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and HR information systems.
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Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across teams and locations.
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Customer-focused mindset with a commitment to delivering responsive and professional HR support.
Working Conditions
- Primarily office-based with regular weekly travel to supported Produce, Fertilizer, Farms, Valley Farms, and Global Agriculture locations.
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Expected to maintain a consistent on-site presence across supported locations to build relationships, support leaders, and provide direct HR support to employees.
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Ability to work in both office and operational environments, including agricultural, warehouse, production, and field settings.
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Ability to walk production floors, farm sites, warehouses, and outdoor work environments as required.
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Ability to sit for extended periods while working at a computer and attending meetings.
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Manual dexterity to operate computers, phones, and standard office equipment.
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Visual acuity sufficient for reading documents, reports, spreadsheets, and computer screens.
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Hearing and verbal communication abilities sufficient for effective in-person, telephone, and virtual communication.
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Occasional lifting and carrying of materials or office supplies up to 20 lbs.
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Flexibility to support operational requirements during peak business and seasonal hiring periods.
About McCain.
Click Here to learn more about McCain and how we provide you with opportunities to make an impact that matters.
Leadership principles.
At McCain, our leadership principles guide how we engage with customers, collaborate as a team, and achieve success. We focus on understanding customer needs, driving innovation, empowering people, and taking ownership to clear obstacles and deliver results.
The McCain experience.
We are McCain. This statement is a testament to our collective strength and our individual value. Your contributions play a vital role in our success. Our winning culture is rooted in authenticity and trust, empowering us to bring out the best in one another. Here, you’ll find opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive. Join us and experience why we’re better together.
Compensation Package: $58,800.00 - $78,500.00 . CAD annually + Bonus Eligibility
The above reflects the target compensation range for the position at the time of posting. Hiring compensation will be determined based on experience, skill set, education and training, and other organizational needs. This posting is for an existing vacancy.
Benefits: At McCain, we’re on a mission to create a winning culture that puts employee safety and well-being at the heart of what we do, every day. We understand and appreciate that each person’s needs are unique and ensure our benefits & well-being programs reflect that. Employees are eligible for the following benefits: health coverage (medical, dental, vision, prescription drug), retirement savings benefits, and leave support including medical, family and bereavement. Well-being programs include vacation and holidays, company-supported volunteering time, and mental health resources. Coverages are aligned with applicable law and can vary by work level, location, and nature of the role. Additional benefit detail available during the application process.
Your well-being matters to us, and we’re here to provide you with the necessary resources to support you in being your best self at work — and at home.
McCain Foods is an equal opportunity employer. As a global family-owned company, we strive to be the employer of choice in the diverse communities around the world in which we live and work. We recognize that inclusion drives our creativity, resilience, and success and makes our business stronger. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.
McCain is an accessible employer. If you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process (including alternate formats of materials or accessible meeting rooms), please let us know, and we will work with you to find appropriate solutions.
Your privacy is important to us. By submitting personal data or information to us, you agree this will be handled in accordance with McCain’s Global Privacy Policy and Global Employee Privacy Policy, as applicable. McCain leverages AI in the hiring process, though all final decisions are made by humans. You can understand our approach to AI and how your personal information is being handled here.
Job Family: Human Resources
Location(s): CA - Canada : New Brunswick : Florenceville-Bristol
Company: McCain Foods (Canada)
