The Opportunity:

The Head of Cyber Risk and Compliance leads the evolution of Maple Leaf Foods’ enterprise-wide cybersecurity and cyber resilience program, protecting the organization’s assets, data, operations, supply chain, manufacturing environments, and reputation in an increasingly complex threat landscape. This role sets the strategy, advances modern security capabilities, and enables secure innovation while aligning cybersecurity priorities to Maple Leaf Foods’ business objectives, operating model, and culture.

Any MLF team member interested in being considered for this role are encouraged to apply online by September 23. Applications received beyond that date are not guaranteed consideration.

Reason for vacancy:  Existing Headcount 

Who you’ll work with:

Reporting to the Chief Information Officer, the Head of Cyber Risk and Compliance works across Technology and partners closely with Enterprise Risk Management, Legal, Compliance, Privacy, Internal Audit, Operations, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, and business leaders to align cybersecurity with enterprise priorities and risk appetite. The role must work especially closely with the VP of Infrastructure to ensure cybersecurity strategy, architecture, operating priorities, and execution are aligned across infrastructure, cloud, networks, operations, resilience, and enterprise transformation initiatives. The role also engages with executive stakeholders, the Board, auditors, industry peers, and technology vendors to maintain a strong, forward-looking security posture.

 

What you'll do:

• Act as the enterprise authority on cyber risk, ensuring risks are identified, prioritized, clearly communicated, and aligned to business priorities and risk appetite
• Define and deliver the enterprise cybersecurity and resilience strategy, including governance frameworks, policies, standards, controls, and Board-level reporting
• Advise the Board, executive committees, and senior leaders on cybersecurity risks, resilience strategies, metrics, KPIs, and KRIs that translate cyber posture into business risk
• Modernize security capabilities across security operations, threat intelligence, identity and access management, cloud security, data protection, AI security, and emerging risk management
• Establish cybersecurity oversight for operational technology, manufacturing environments, industrial control systems, connected equipment, and production continuity
• Embed secure-by-design principles into enterprise architecture, infrastructure modernization, cloud adoption, digital platforms, automation, AI, and major transformation programs
• Assess and manage third-party and supply chain cyber risk across vendors, logistics partners, technology providers, and critical suppliers
• Ensure cybersecurity practices align with applicable privacy, cybersecurity, food safety, and industry-specific regulatory expectations
• Partner with Privacy, Legal, and business teams to strengthen data governance and protect sensitive business, employee, customer, supplier, and operational data
• Integrate cybersecurity plans with enterprise crisis management, disaster recovery, business continuity, operational resilience, cyber insurance, and broader risk transfer considerations
• Serve as a senior crisis leader during cyber events, coordinating legal, operations, communications, technology, executive response, recovery, and continuous improvement
• Build, lead, and develop high-performing cybersecurity teams, including workforce planning, capability development, awareness, and culture initiatives
• Build and maintain external partnerships with peers, technology vendors, auditors, insurers, and intelligence-sharing networks
• Support cybersecurity due diligence and integration planning for acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, and major business integrations

 

What you'll need:

• Progressive senior level experience in cybersecurity, technology risk, or information security, including 10+ years in senior leadership roles
• Undergraduate degree required; CISSP certification required, with additional relevant certifications considered an asset
• Proven leadership of enterprise-scale cybersecurity programs and major transformation initiatives
• Executive-level stakeholder management experience, including advising Boards and senior leaders
• Deep expertise across cybersecurity domains, including security operations, threat management, governance, resilience, cloud security, identity and access management, data protection, and control frameworks
• Advanced understanding of emerging technologies and risks, including AI, automation, and digital ecosystems
• Experience leading cyber incident response and recovery in complex, distributed environments
• Strong ability to communicate complex risks clearly to business leaders and influence decision-making
• Demonstrated success building and leading high-performing, inclusive teams
• Experience managing budgets, vendors, and strategic partnerships
• Proven history of success by taking the time to understand the core functions, operating realities, and business objectives of the organizations they have served, and translating that understanding into practical, business-aligned cybersecurity outcomes
• Strong appreciation for organizational culture, including how decisions are made, how teams operate, and how change is adopted, in order to build trust, influence effectively, and succeed in the role
• Demonstrated alignment with the Maple Leaf Foods Leadership Values, with a proven ability to model the behaviours and practices that foster an inclusive, values-driven, and high-performing culture. You can learn more about our eight leadership values here.

 

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 approximately 10,000 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.

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