The Opportunity:

Reporting to the Vice President, Agricultural Operations & Industry Relations, the Laboratory & Quality Assurance Manager, leads the operation of the Hanover Laboratory as well as the Quality Assurance function within the New Hamburg and Hanover hatcheries, and is a key member of the hatchery management team.  While overseeing six (6) direct reports, the ideal candidate has an in-depth understanding of microbiology laboratory methodologies and is experienced in maintaining a safe working environment.  The role is responsible for general laboratory operations including workflow, quality management, staffing, and budgetary compliance. This role is also responsible for the development and execution of hatchery Quality Assurance programs and driving continuous improvement while ensuring regulatory compliance.

Any MLF team member interested in being considered for this role are encouraged to apply online by May 17. Applications received beyond that date are not guaranteed consideration.

Snapshot of a Day-in-the-Life:

• Supervision: Manage staff performance through communication of responsibilities and expectations, coaching, rewards and recognition, documenting and evaluating performance while providing support to reach staff’s objectives.
• Microbiology Skills: Maintain in-depth functional knowledge and capability to perform the test methods currently in scope and in use in the laboratory. This may include proficiency testing.
• Communication: Act as a point of contact between the laboratory and its stakeholders, including sample submitters, veterinarians, other laboratories, and management team. Provide stakeholders with accurate, consistent and timely information, consulting with appropriate resources when required.
• Report Generation: Review, approve, issue and distribute laboratory reports, including email notifications to the appropriate distribution lists and/or recipients.  
• Equipment Maintenance: Schedule equipment maintenance, preventative maintenance, calibration and verification. Maintain the equipment files/records of all laboratory equipment. Prepare Capital Expenditure Requests (CER) as required.
• Documentation: Adapt and/or improve existing laboratory techniques and methods; write, update and review analytical procedure protocols (SOPs), validations, verifications, measurement of uncertainty reports, project reports. 
• Housekeeping: Manage laboratory housekeeping schedule and standards, including environmental monitoring program.
• Training: Gathering and analyzing information to design, develop, and deliver new training programs that are efficient, and effective.  Performing training needs analysis by assessing the skill level, performance, and competence of each trainee.
• Proficiency testing: Conduct validation activities such as parallel testing, quizzes and ensuring competency through demonstration. Actively participate in the scheduling, performance and technical proficiency reviews of the laboratory technical staff.
• Analysis: Analyze test results, interpret scientific data and provide an assessment of any potential risks/impact to the organization. 
• Scheduling: Organizing the daily workflow of the lab through the prioritization of analysis, project work and proficiency testing and adjusting the schedule for any staffing issues. Perform technical staff duties during high volume work periods and/or during staff shortages.
• Auditor: Conduct and/or participate in internal and external audits. Identify non-conformances, perform and/or assign investigations using root cause analysis ensuring the implementation of audit recommendations and staff compliance.
• Performance management: Aid in the data collection for key performance indicators (KPIs) and in establishing performance improvement initiatives, including quality and sanitation performance, laboratory performance, and pathogen results.
• Quality programs: Oversee hatchery regulatory and quality assurance programs such as HACCP/PCP protocols, poultry pathogen monitoring, and sanitation monitoring.
• Quality investigation: Oversee QA team in investigating issues related to incubation and hatch to continuously improve chick quality. Support veterinarians in investigating bird health and quality issues.
• Safety: Ensure employee, customer, and visitor safety and overall compliance with the Occupational Health & Safety Act. This includes participating in and/or reviewing all safety audits and ensuring the implementation of audit recommendations and staff compliance. 
• Compliance: Provide ongoing management support for regulatory and compliance programs, including leading internal and external audits for the laboratory (ISO 9001) and hatcheries (HACCP/PCP; animal welfare). Ensure timely resolution of necessary corrective action items associated with all audits or CFIA concerns.
• Team development: Ability to foster a developing a constructive and positive work environment through excellent interpersonal, team building skills, open communications, encouraging input and constructive performance management
• Continuous improvement: Use fact-based analysis, provide recommendations to continuously improve the facility quality and food safety systems.
• Change management: Support or lead change management activities related to existing and new processes, programs and/or systems.
• Financial performance: Prepare the annual budget and ensure ongoing budgetary adherence.

What You’ll Bring:

Along with a B.Sc. or Technical Diploma (minimum) in relevant sciences; Microbiology (preferred) or Biology/Food Science with emphasis on food/environmental biology, and four (4) years of work experience in a microbiology laboratory or food industry, we are looking for people who are passionate about coaching and inspiring others and have experience leading teams to deliver winning results.  With strong adherence to our Company values, you will be able to develop, foster, and influence relationships within a diverse workforce. You’re invested in the development of each of your team members and willing to jump in to support as needed. You are passionate about safety and promote a culture where safety comes first.  Your approach is collaborative and empowering, leading by example and offering a forum where everyone feels comfortable to bring forward new ideas. Having a continuous improvement mindset, strong problem-solving skills, and the ability to multi-task in an ever-changing, fast-paced environment will allow you to make an 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.
• 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 accommodations@mapleleaf.com.

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.