VICE PRESIDENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES

Job Description

VICE PRESIDENT, HUMAN RESOURCES

North American Multi-Branch Operations | 32 Business Units | 700+ Employees

Location: Innisfil, Ontario | Executive Leadership Opportunity

Compensation: $200,000$260,000 CAD Base + Annual Bonus

We are conducting an executive search on behalf of a confidential, well-established and growing North American organization for an accomplished Vice President, Human Resources to join its Executive Leadership Team.

This is a significant opportunity for a commercially astute, strategic and operationally experienced HR executive to lead the Human Resources function across a complex, multi-branch organization encompassing 32 business units and more than 700 employees throughout Canada and the United States.

Our client is seeking a proven HR leader who understands the demands of multi-location, operationally driven businesses, ideally bringing experience within manufacturing, industrial, heavy equipment, distribution, dealership or related service environments.

The successful candidate will be a confident and influential executive who can build credibility with senior leadership, partner effectively with operational executives and General Managers, and translate business objectives into practical, measurable people strategies.

This position requires more than traditional HR leadership. It calls for a business-minded executive who can balance enterprise-wide strategic direction with hands-on operational execution across geographically dispersed branches and multiple jurisdictions.

THE OPPORTUNITY

As Vice President, Human Resources, you will serve as the organization's senior HR executive, providing strategic direction and operational leadership across 32 business units supporting 700+ employees throughout Canada and the United States.

Reporting to Executive Leadership, you will play a key role in shaping the organization's people strategy, leadership capability, organizational structure and continued growth.

You will work closely with senior executives, operational leaders and branch management teams to ensure HR strategies support business performance, operational efficiency, employee engagement and long-term organizational success.

A critical component of this role is the ability to establish consistent HR standards and governance across multiple independently operating business units while recognizing the unique workforce requirements, operating challenges and commercial objectives of each location.

The ideal candidate brings a strong understanding of multi-branch operational environments, combined with the executive presence, business acumen and leadership capability required to influence decisions at the highest organizational levels.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Executive Leadership & Strategic Business Partnership

Serve as a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, contributing to enterprise-wide business strategy and organizational decision-making.

Act as a trusted strategic advisor to senior executives, General Managers and operational leaders across Canada and the United States.

Develop and execute a comprehensive North American HR strategy aligned with organizational growth, profitability and operational excellence.

Provide confident, commercially grounded counsel on complex workforce matters, organizational design, executive talent and leadership effectiveness.

Establish credibility and strong working relationships with operational leaders across 32 business units and multiple branch locations.

Lead and develop the Human Resources function, ensuring effective support and consistent service delivery across the organization.

Multi-Branch HR Leadership & Operational Excellence

Provide strategic oversight of HR operations supporting 700+ employees across geographically dispersed Canadian and U.S. business units.

Develop scalable HR policies, systems, processes and governance frameworks that support a complex multi-location operating structure.

Partner with branch and business unit leaders to address workforce planning, staffing challenges, productivity, employee performance and retention.

Balance centralized HR strategy and organizational standards with the practical operating requirements of individual branches.

Drive consistency, accountability and operational effectiveness across diverse business units.

Support continued expansion, organizational integration and operational transformation throughout North America.

Talent Acquisition, Succession Planning & Leadership Development

Develop and execute enterprise-wide talent acquisition and workforce planning strategies supporting current operations and future growth.

Partner with senior leadership to identify and develop high-potential talent and future operational leaders.

Lead succession planning initiatives for executive, management and critical operational positions.

Establish leadership development programs that strengthen management capability, accountability and performance.

Build effective talent pipelines across manufacturing, technical, operational, service, distribution and corporate functions.

Drive employee retention and engagement initiatives that support workforce stability and business continuity.

Organizational Development, Culture & Change Management

Lead organizational design and transformation initiatives to support evolving business requirements.

Foster a high-performance culture built on accountability, collaboration, operational excellence and continuous improvement.

Provide strategic HR leadership through acquisitions, integrations, restructuring and organizational change.

Coach and advise senior executives and operational leaders on performance management, employee relations and leadership effectiveness.

Strengthen employee engagement, organizational communication and leadership alignment across all business units.

Implement measurable initiatives that enhance organizational effectiveness and employee performance.

Canadian & U.S. HR Compliance, Employee Relations & Risk Management

Provide oversight of HR policies, employment practices and regulatory compliance across multiple Canadian provinces and U.S. jurisdictions.

Ensure consistent, legally compliant HR practices while addressing jurisdiction-specific employment requirements.

Lead complex employee relations matters, investigations, performance issues and organizational risk management initiatives.

Provide strategic guidance on compensation, benefits, total rewards, workforce planning and employment-related risk.

Oversee HR systems, reporting, workforce analytics and performance metrics to support informed executive decision-making.

Ensure HR policies and practices support both operational requirements and a positive employee experience.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Required Qualifications

15+ years of progressive Human Resources experience, including significant senior leadership or executive-level responsibility.

Demonstrated experience leading HR within a multi-site, multi-branch or multi-business-unit organization.

Substantial Canadian and U.S. HR experience, including an understanding of employment legislation, compliance and workforce practices across multiple jurisdictions.

Proven ability to support a geographically dispersed workforce and partner effectively with operational leadership across multiple locations.

Strong executive presence, business acumen and the ability to influence senior executives and General Managers.

Experience overseeing the full HR function, including talent acquisition, compensation, benefits, employee relations, workforce planning, leadership development and succession planning.

Demonstrated success leading organizational transformation, implementing scalable HR systems and supporting business growth.

Proven ability to develop HR teams and establish effective HR structures across complex operating environments.

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration or a related discipline.

Highly Preferred Experience

Manufacturing or industrial HR leadership experience, particularly within multi-plant or multi-location organizations.

Experience within heavy equipment, equipment dealerships, industrial distribution, automotive aftermarket, technical service or related operational businesses.

Previous responsibility for HR across multiple branches, business units or operating divisions in Canada and the United States.

Experience supporting acquisitions, business integration, organizational restructuring and rapid expansion.

Experience partnering directly with Presidents, CEOs, CFOs, COOs and operational General Managers.

HR professional designation such as CHRL, CHRE or equivalent.

Bilingual English/French capabilities considered an asset.

THE IDEAL EXECUTIVE

Our client is looking for an HR leader who brings a strong commercial mindset and understands that successful HR leadership must directly support operational and financial performance.

You Are Someone Who

Has earned the respect of senior executives and operational leaders through sound judgment, confidence and business credibility.

Understands the realities of managing people across multiple branches, locations and business units.

Can operate strategically at the executive table while remaining connected to day-to-day operational challenges.

Has experience navigating the complexities of Canadian and U.S. employment environments.

Is comfortable challenging conventional thinking, influencing senior leadership and driving meaningful organizational change.

Builds strong relationships with General Managers and operational teams while maintaining consistent corporate HR standards.

Brings a proactive, results-oriented approach to leadership development, talent strategy, succession planning and organizational performance.

Thrives in a growing, entrepreneurial and operationally focused business environment.

CONFIDENTIAL APPLICATIONS

If you are an accomplished HR executive with a strong background in multi-branch, multi-business-unit operations across Canada and the United States, preferably within manufacturing, industrial, distribution or related operational environments, we would welcome a confidential conversation.

This is an outstanding opportunity for a proven leader ready to bring strategic influence, operational expertise and executive-level HR leadership to a growing North American organization.

Why Is This a Great Opportunity

WHY CONSIDER THIS OPPORTUNITY?

This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact at the executive level within a successful North American organization.

Executive Influence: Join the Executive Leadership Team and help shape the organization's long-term strategy.

Significant Scope: Lead Human Resources across 32 business units and more than 700 employees.

North American Exposure: Oversee HR strategy and operations across multiple Canadian and U.S. locations.

Business Partnership: Work directly with senior executives, operational leaders and General Managers to influence organizational performance.

Growth & Transformation: Play a pivotal role in organizational development, leadership succession, talent strategy and continued business expansion.

Competitive Executive Compensation

Base salary of $200,000$260,000 CAD

Annual performance bonus opportunity

Comprehensive employer-paid benefits

Employer-matched retirement savings program

Long-term executive career development opportunities

Salary Type : Annual Salary

Salary Min : CA$ 200000

Salary Max : CA$ 260000

Currency Type : CAD